Meeting the new challenges in the teaching of Western civilisation for EFL students

Abstract

Globalization has affected every aspect of life, particularly higher education. New values and aspirations came to shape learners’ attitudes towards education, exemplified by slender engagement in classes. Algerian EFL students are a good case in point. This urged teachers to make strenuous efforts to create convenient learning environments. Regarding the course of Western civilization, they had to equip themselves with new skills. This paper aims to explore, through the specific experience of the author, the nature of the adjustments made, pending both approaches and educational strategies. To conduct this investigation, the researcher used both a self-assessment and a student questionnaire destined for first-year students. The findings indicate the possibility of creating student-centered classes through the use of different teaching techniques such as outline composition, text analysis, discussion sequences, and summary writing. The paper demonstrates the necessity of constant updating of one’s teaching approaches and strategies.

Keywords:   Globalization; higher education; new skills; student-centered classes; Western civilization.