Teaching British Culture: Separatists’ Journey and Felicia Dorothea Hemans’ the Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers

Abstract

Abstract: Integrating culture into language teaching has demonstrated numerous benefits over the years. In this context, this paper explores the representation of British culture and identity through the literary works of Felicia Dorothea Hemans, with a particular focus on her poem "The Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers". The author presents a comprehensive two-lesson unit plan to impart British culture to EFL students practically and engagingly. The unit plan combines elements of both Literature and Civilization courses, catering to the needs of second-year tertiary-level students. Through collaborative group work, students are divided into small groups of four members each, making six groups. Central to the unit plan are the 'fact strips', tangible tools for introducing key aspects of British culture. These fact strips encapsulate essential cultural insights, ranging from historical milestones to contemporary societal norms. Working collaboratively, students delve into the aspects of British culture. The outcomes are highly encouraging, with students marking improvement in British culture. The positive results obtained underscore the efficacy of integrating practical, culturally relevant activities into the language teaching curriculum. Keywords: Culture, integration, fact strips, literature, EFL Students