CULTURAL CONTENTS IN ENGLISH FOR TOUISM TEXTBOOK FOR ENGLISH MAJOR STUDENT: A CASE STUDY OF THE SURATTHANI RAJABHAT UNIVERSITY, SOUTHERN THAILAND

Abstract

Culture being a part of the EFL curriculum merits concern for students’ development of intercultural competence, which is also emphasized by the CEFR. This study examined the cultural content of an English for tourism textbook in Suratthani Rajabhat University. The data were collected from reading passages and pictures in the textbook for English major students, written by Thai author. To reveal what sources of culture are presented in the textbook, the cultural contents are categorized into source of culture and theme of culture under Big “C” and little “c” themes. The results found that the source culture occurring in reading passages in the English for Tourism textbook written by Thai author are presented in the form of reading Thai culture (Tourism information in Thailand, Thai handicrafts, Tourist Attractions in Thailand, The greatest Thai food, Thai way of life, Religious ceremony, Thai martial arts, and Thai temples). The International Culture are presented in the form of name nature (Chinese culture, German culture), and the form of stories (A survey of German Tourist, Silk in China). The finding of cultural content in term of cultural theme found the 7 cultural themes, the most frequency themes in English for Tourism Textbook were 4 themes under Big “C” culture and 3 themes under little “c”. This study possibly offers some recommendations for English language textbook development that is culturally appropriate for language teachers and learners at universities in Thailand.