Abstract:

Teaching English as a foreign language requires a strong and significant connection between theory and practical application. Throughout the past 50 years, linguistic theory has experienced a multitude of changes, resulting in the development of distinct doctrines that greatly influenced future practices in English Language Teaching (ELT). Decontextualization and reductionism are the fundamental pillars of formal language theories. Yet, the 1960s saw the rise of pragmatics and the 1990s brought about cultural linguistics, which have opened the doors to a new wave of linguistic methods that may challenge existing doctrines.

This study primarily examines the latest developments in cultural linguistics and pragmatics, aiming to revolutionize the way English is taught by freeing it from the restrictions of traditional linguistic principles. This will ultimately help foreign students to naturally acquire and use the English language. To examine the efficacy of the new method, a class of 30 students from Gulf University for Science and Technology in Kuwait were introduced to diverse cultural verbal routines containing situated pragmemes, as per Jacob Mey's pragmatic acts theory. Next, they were assigned the task of drawing comparisons between these such pragmemes and those in English, if any were similar. As a result, the students were expected to decide on the most suitable pragmemes and culturemes for a given context.

Understanding the sociocultural aspects of second language learning is essential for non-native English students, as it enables them to use language appropriately in various situations. By involving my students in conversations that employ particular pragmemes, a more profound understanding of the cultural nuances between Arabic and English has surfaced. Recognizing and being mindful of the diverse cultural influences present in both languages will help students refrain from making direct comparisons, ultimately promoting a heightened awareness of how to effectively utilize both Arabic and English. Language educators must prioritize the understanding of cultural schemata and situated pragmemes and culturemes in shaping conversational habits.

Keywords:

Cultural schemata-speech acts- pragmemes, practs, allopracts, culturemes.