Abstract
The present paper discusses the tension between tradition and modernity with respect to the teaching of English in Iran. It demonstrates that the second decade of the present century marks a shift, albeit nascent, in a) Iranian teachers and officials’ attitudes towards the content and method of English language teaching in terms of the need for greater interaction in the classroom, and b) raised awareness of the importance of culture in language teaching. We pose the question: “how can Iran continue to build on new ideas about English language teaching at school and tertiary levels with a view to improving not only pupils’/students’ performance but also embracing modernity in a globalized world?” The discussion is based on a survey of literature addressing the current state of English education in Iran.
About the authors
Jane M. EKSTAM is Professor of English at Østfold University College, Halden, Norway. She specializes in English Literature, English Didactics, cultural influences on texts (literary and linguistic), and Academic Writing in English. She is a member of the International Association of University Professors of English (IAUPE) and serves on a number of international editorial boards.
Elham SARVANDY is a doctoral student at Vienna University. She is completing a PhD thesis on cultural impact on English language teaching in Iran. Elham holds a Master’s degree in English from Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran.
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