The role of culture in teaching and learning English as a foreign language

Language is a means of expression. We express our feelings, emotions, thoughts, needs, desires etc. in words, symbols and gesture which is considered as language. Language can be defined as verbal, physical, biologically innate, and a basic form of communication. Culture is the characteristics of a particular group of people, defined by everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts. Thus culture finds its expression in language; so, learning a new language without familiarity with its culture remains incomplete. An important question arises here, is it necessary to learn about the culture of the target language to acquire English as a foreign or second language? There are great discussions by many scholars and researchers on this topic for decades. This study aims at defining culture, its relationship with language and what role it plays in teaching and learning English as a foreign or second language. This also shed light on how to teach culture in English language cla