Shifting Language Paradigm: An Integration of Five Dimensions of Culture in Teaching English as a Foreign Language in Pakistan

This study explores the inseparable entities of language and culture. Mastering the cultural element is crucial in the EFL/ESL language learning process. Furthermore, the study investigates the role of culture in the EFL/ESL curriculum since the 1980s. The paper examines the integration of culture into the ESL/EFL classrooms in Pakistan. Most Pakistani EFL classrooms continue to simply focus on the grammar-translation approach, where students have to memorize significant and non-significant grammar points and then do dozens of exercises drilling the newly learned grammatical form(s). The foundation for teaching culture language learning include the 5 Cs, the Five Dimensions of Culture, language learning authentic materials, and the Cultural Experiential Learning Cycle. Through experiencing role-playing situations and distinguishing similarities and differences between cultures, students are culturally prepared with appropriate behaviors and responses when they encounter a similar situation in the target culture. The recommendations provided should enable Pakistani educators and administrators to effectively integrate culture into EFL curricula. This Paper explores the incorporation of culture in the context of Pakistani language learning environments. It also investigates strategies and techniques that make the language learning process productive, so that Pakistani educators can incorporate them within their classrooms.