Autoplay Next video from Max length

Let's Play Ball: Using Cultural Themes in the English Classroom

1,051 views · Published 19 November 2014 · 1:21:27 · Indexed 29 September 2026

Channel: American English · 2014 · Education

This webinar is part of the "Shaping the Way We Teach English” webinar series brought to you by the American English team. For more resources to teach and learn English, visit http://americanenglish.state.gov

Using thematic units in the EFL classroom is a great way to attach interesting and relevant content to language learning. Of particular interest to many learners are themes related to the culture and society of English-speaking countries. However, because of English's unique role as the global lingua franca, teachers must remember that skills of awareness and adaptation to unfamiliar contexts are just as important as factual information. We cannot predict where, when and with whom our learners will use English. It is entirely possible that they may never use English with native speakers!

Still, all language use is related to culture in one way or another and, as such, culture must be part of what we teach. To that end, this webinar will demonstrate how teachers can use one theme in American culture and society, Baseball, to give learners a toolkit for deciphering and using messages that contain a deep cultural context, no matter their source.

Let's Play Ball: Using Cultural Themes in the English Classroom

More from this channel