An Analysis of Culture Integration Into English Language Learning as Found in English Textbooks for Senior High School

Abstract

The main concept of foreign language education is that communication is a social interactionmuch more than it is a linguistic exchange (Seelye, 1993: 57). It is true that linguistic skill is necessaryin acquiring and mastering a foreign language but a language learner needs more than fluency inforeign language and non-verbal signals to communicate effectively. This concept, then, requiresthe integration of culture into foreign language learning including into the teaching material.This study is designed to know the culture integration in the textbook as the main teachingmaterial in the English teaching and learning process. English textbooks for Senior High School areselected because English learning in this level is the final level of secondary education level andIndonesia secondary school levels have adopted communicative approach for English languageteaching and learning.This approach's main goal is to make communicative competence the goal of language teachingand to acknowledge the interdependence of language and communication (Freeman, 2000: 121).Along with this proposition, it becomes crucial to include culture aspects into learning materialssince they will enable the stud ents to master pragmatic functions of the language to assist them inenhancing their communicative competence