Critical Analysis of Top Notch Series According to Cultural Perspective

(2011 - 2012)

 Dr Mahdi Dahmardeh     Mr Hossein Timcheh Memar     Mr Abbas Timcheh Memar

Expanding and the development of the English language has been increased dramatically while number of those who speak English as their mother tongue is far below who use it as a foreign or second language. Experts like Crystal (2004) believe that the English language does not belong to English speaking countries anymore. As Kachru (1997) suggests, the educational programmes must enjoy Inner Circles as well as Outer and Expanding Circles. For the same reason, according to Alptekin (1984), teaching culture must initiate from familiar to unfamiliar and not the other way around. Moreover, in teaching English as an international language, it is very important to teach international culture or the world culture instead of teaching culture of some particular countries.
Latest experiments have shown that increasing the intercultural competence is one of the main skills in learning a language. Current research will critically analyse Top Notch series according to cultural perspective based on latest research. It has to be stated that it will be done by investigating from two angles: Behavioural Aspect (which divides target culture into positive, neutral and negative) and Frequency (which divides target culture into high, middle and less). It is recommended then that the cultural matters which are within the negative aspect and less frequent should not be included within textbooks or they should be taught cautiously or figuratively.