The representation of cultural content in the textbooks of teaching Thai as a foreign language in Chinese universities

Abstract

The study aims to investigate 1) cultural representations in the dimensions of culture in general, big ‘C’ culture, and small ‘c’ culture in the textbooks of teaching Thai as a foreign language (TFL) used in Chinese universities, 2) cultural types represented in the textbooks in terms of source culture, target culture, international culture, and neutral culture in the textbooks, and 3) different cultural content among the textbooks. The sample textbooks were chosen from the reference list of foreign language textbooks, as recommended by the Chinese Ministry of Education at the provincial level. Data were content analyzed for descriptions of cultural domains. The findings revealed that the sample textbooks cover all three cultural domains in terms of general-culture, big ‘C’ culture, and small ‘c’ culture. In addition, the main cultural learning in the textbooks is realized by big ‘C’ culture. Furthermore, the sample textbooks also cover all cultural types with the salient representation in the target culture (i.e., the Thai culture). Meanwhile, the proportion of cultural representation is different from each other. According to the survey results, TFL teachers and TFL textbook developers can adjust cultural teaching and textbook compilation to cultivate students’ intercultural communicative competence of the target language. IMPLICATION OF THESIS: The results of the paper reveal an unbalanced treatment of culture in the sample textbooks. Accordingly, TFL teachers can prepare supplemental resources and activities in their implementation of cultural teaching. In addition, the results of the paper provide textbook compilers with assessment values for the next revision. In the same vein, the study also suggested a list of cultural content that should be included in the TFL textbooks used in Chinese universities. It promoted the theoretical development of cultural content in the TFL textbooks.