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How culturally appropriate is the communicative approach for primary school children in Singapore?
Citation
Tan, C. (2005). How culturally appropriate is the communicative approach for primary school children in Singapore? The Reading Matrix, 5(1), 21-35.
Author
Tan, Charlene
Abstract
This paper discusses the suitability of the Communicative Approach (CA) for primary school children (aged seven to twelve) in Singapore, with a focus on Chinese primary school children. The paper begins with an introduction of the CA and the role of culture in the applicability and success of the CA in language teaching. This will be followed by a discussion of how the CA may be culturally inappropriate for primary school children due to the Asian-Confucian values and practices which do not favour the CA. However, this does not mean that the CA is totally inappropriate culturally. In view of the recent language shift in Singapore and the positive attitude parents have towards the learning of English as a communicative tool for their children, this paper suggests how the CA can be adapted to help primary school children, in particular Chinese children, learn and communicate in English effectively.
Date Issued
2005
Publisher
Reading Matrix Inc
Journal
The Reading Matrix