Research on Teaching Strategies of Foreign Language Education Under Multicultural Background

Abstract

Purpose – Foreign language education (FL-E) is a gateway to understanding other cultures and points of view, and the key to unlocking the transformative potential of FL-E is teaching practices that embrace multicultural backgrounds. This study investigated the relationship between potential issues in teaching foreign languages (FL) in China. Design / methodology / approach – The investigation employs a quantitative approach. The 302 pupils who enrolled in the FL-E program comprised the participants of this study. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data from them, which was then analyzed using route analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM). Findings – The findings of this study indicated that FL-E teachers' attitudes toward technology had a positive and substantial effect on their students' language learning performance. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between reform and innovation in teaching techniques and language learning performance. However, differences in cultural context had no direct impact on language learning performance. There was a significant interaction between innovative teaching methods, diversified cultural backgrounds, and reforms, indicating a relationship between these variables that may influence FL-E performance. The language-learning performance declines proportionally to the time spent studying the FL (English). Research limitations/implications – Some potential barriers could be the FL instructor's teaching style, stance on new technology, the FL instructors' cultural backgrounds, the duration of instruction, and the students' capacity to learn an FL. This research resulted in significant practical implications that will benefit FL policymakers and instructors and assist them in enhancing FL-E in China. Originality/value – This research bridges the divide between Teaching Strategies for Foreign Language Education in Multicultural Contexts and offers new insights.