Competency-Based English Teaching

 

 

Andrew Alkire

 

 

 Most young second language learners in South Korea, Japan, USA and Indonesia lack the most rudimentary forms of socio-cultural competence, from not knowing how to shake hands to beginning a first time conversation with, ‘Do you have a son?’  While most EFL/ESL students have extensive grammatical knowledge, they are deficient in interacting from a social point of view. Therefore, a crucial component of a competency-based approach to English language teaching in Indonesia should be the ‘Cultural Knowings’ framework. This framework explores the ‘how’, ‘why’, and ‘about’ aspects of cultural knowledge, as it imparts the requisite skills and background for an individual to successfully assimilate from their own culture into another culture.  In line with the current Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) in Indonesia, and stressing both the spoken and written cycles, it is my objective to impart upon participants this framework with the intent of improving socio-cultural competence at all levels of education in Indonesia.

------- ---- -------

 

 

 

Alkire, A. (2006, February). Competency-based English teaching. Paper presented at the 6^th International Conference, ITB Bandung, Indonesia.

 

 

 

Website: www.geocities.com/eltindonesia

Email: eltindonesia@yahoo.com