Integrating Moral Education into Language Education in Asia: Guidelines for Materials Writers

Abstract

A growing body of research has identified ESL/EFL instruction as a practice that is culturally hegemonic. Perspectives from critical pedagogy and representations of learners’ reality, issues in morality have rarely been integrated into ELT practices, especially in the realm of materials development where the influence of culture and learners’ socio-cultural variables should be recognized. As this chapter aims to help English language teachers produce localized materials representing students’ realities and thus serving their needs appropriately, it discusses some rationale for morality-oriented materials development and gives guidelines for materials writing, emphasizing the incorporation of moral education into ELT practices. With the perspectives discussed and the guidelines suggested, it is expected that the materials designed and developed will play a more important role in socializing Asian learners into moral reasoning, thereby fostering morally competent citizens for their local and global societies.