Local Cultural Politeness in English Language Classrooms

Abstract

Politeness is an important positive character that students should acquire in learning processes. Having a polite character, the students will be able to respect teachers and fellow students and, in return, obtain respects from them. This mutual respect will in turn create positive learning environments. In Indonesian contexts, the need to bring politeness in learning has been confirmed in policy documents which clearly states that politeness is as one of the characters that teachers should teach in classes. In English language classrooms, it is not only taught directly, but it is also integrated in the teaching and learning processes. The integration can be through teaching language functions (for example, apologizing, greeting, respecting, and thanking) where polite verbal and non-verbal expressions in English are taught. The way to perform politeness, however, could be different between Indonesian and English culture. As students could use local language knowledge to learn English language, they could also be possible to use local culture to learn English culture. This paper explores the way local cultural politeness is incorporated in English language classrooms Keywords-politeness, local culture, english culture.