An Investigation of the Importance of Cultural Competency in Foreign Language Teaching Referring to Chinese Language and Hindi Language

Abstract

The teaching and learning process of foreign languages is a complex process. After the twentieth century, the second or foreign language teaching-learning process took a scientific approach as new approaches and strategies were introduced. Some methods were popular, and some methods were mixed with the popular ones and remained up to date. The variables measuring proficiency in all strategies were the four skills - listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In addition to the four skills, linguists realised that cultural competency also plays a key role in language learning. Scholars have focused on cultural competence as an additional unit of measurement for language proficiency under applied linguistics. Across the world, cultural competency is paid special attention at governmental and institutional levels. Cultural competency is a popular topic in the foreign language teaching-learning process. This research discusses how it is important to measure cultural competency in addition to the four skills in the language teachinglearning process referring to Chinese and Hindi languages. The study was conducted using the qualitative research method. Data are collected from primary and secondary sources in Linguistics, Chinese and Hindi languages. Written sources and the internet have been used to collect secondary data. Primary data are collected through discussion and direct observation. This research aims to investigate the importance of cultural competency in foreign language teaching and practice. The research problem is how cultural competency is unique in addition to the four skills measuring language proficiency in the foreign language teaching-learning process. In the previous research review, although the explored Chinese and Hindi sources included separate facts about the importance of cultural competency, there were no instances where they were comparatively researched. The study is carried out as a new research in Linguistics. In concluding the research, three facts are taken into attention to reveal that language and culture are two closely related units: cultural knowledge is essential in language teaching, and cultural competency is essential in learning a language. It is concluded that cultural competency is as important as the four skills -listening, speaking, reading, and writing in learning a foreign language.