Rola nauczyciela języka w kształtowaniu kompetencji socjokulturowej obcokrajowców w kraju docelowym (na przykładzie chińskich polonistów studiujących w Polsce)
The role of the language teacher in developing sociocultural competences of foreigners in the target country: based on the example of Chinese students of Polish studies in Poland

Summary/Abstract: The article concerns the role of the language teacher in shaping the learners’ sociocultural competence in the target country. An important question is whether the teacher should expect students to behave according to the norms of the destination culture. The authors consider also to what extent the importance of the learners’ work comfort is significant (such as meeting the expectations of students by choosing the methods preferred by them). The classroom reality creates a kind of separate space, which is a hybrid of the norms of the source and destination cultures. The authors have selected examples of cultural misunderstandings between a Polish teacher and Chinese students of Polish studies which are described in recently published papers. The intensity of the cultural problems may be influenced by crucial differences regarding the understanding of the teacher’s role in both cultures. If the purpose of language classes is not only to provide knowledge about the culture and language as a system, but also to prepare students to use sociocultural competences – which in turn are an essential part of potential success of any act of communication – it is necessary to consider to what extent should it be required from the students that they implement target norms in educational contexts, among other realms of the new country.

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