What is a Context in EFL/ESL/ELT Situation? /What is Context Approach? How Does it Affect Pedagogy?

Context in EFL/ESL/ELT Situation

Context approach shows that context is a crucial determiner of the success and failure of learners. According to Richards and Rodgers context is the ‘starting point in language program design’. When teaching learning occurs in a classroom four contexts should be brought into consideration, they are:

•             Cultural context

•              Political context

•              Local institutional context and

•     Context constituted by the teachers and learners in the classroom. 

Context Approach

 
Importance of cultural context is undeniable. The total set of beliefs of the people of a particular society is considered as Cultural context. It also refers to attitude, social customs, behavior, and habits of the people of a society. In fact, culture is the whole society. Shahidullah believes ‘socio- cultural variables are culture specific and hence they vary from one culture to another. Modes of learning, therefore, vary from culture to culture, context to context. An appropriate method is, therefore, one that matches with learners’ socio- cultural variables. Evaluation of the cultural context is necessary for ESL teachers whenever they intend to apply a certain approach or method. As it plays a important role in human life, it cannot be. Successful language teaching needs awareness of cultural context where teaching occurs. Mckay, states ‘it is important to recognize that what happens in a specific classroom is influenced by political, social, and cultural factors of the large community’.