COLOURING ENGLISH MULTICULTURAL CLASSROOMS WITH MULTICULTURAL VALUES

Abstract

This paper discusses two issues. First, it discusses the concept of English as an international language and the increase of the number of non-native English language learners in the next decades. It is predicted that the number non-native English language learners exceeds the number English native language learners. The fact also shows that the number of non-native English speakers also exceeds the number English native speakers. The possibility of communication using English among non-native English speakers is greater compared with communication using English among native speakers of English or the number of non-native English language speakers to native speakers of English. Second, it discusses possible integration of cultural values of both native and non-native English speakers into the teaching of English. Such integration ignites the role of English as an international language. The blending of multicultural values into the teaching of English should be reflected in the teaching contents of both spoken and written texts. With this rich cultural values introduced to the English language learners, it will raise awareness of rich cultural differences that should be acknowledged. English as an international language accommodates cultural values of the world multicultural society.