Transcending the classroom: (de)stigmatising foreign cultures through foreign language teaching

Using intergroup contact and stigma management communication theories, this work examines the effect of cultural teaching and learning in Spanish language classes on cultural stigma, social distance, and ethnocentrism. Additionally, this study examines how individuals respond to positive and negative messages about foreigners. Survey results indicate cultural integration in the foreign language classroom was associated with increased cultural knowledge and, indirectly, decreased cultural stigma and social distance toward those from foreign cultures. The findings of this study extend prior intergroup contact work by demonstrating the potential for exposure to a culture, rather than its members, to decrease stigma. Usando las teorias de contacto intergrupal y comunicacion de manejo de estigma, esta obra examina el efecto de la ensenanza y aprendizaje del espanol en el estigma cultural. Adicionalmente, este estudio examina las respuestas a mensajes positivos y negativos sobre extranjeros. Los resultados indican que la integracion de cultura en una educacion de lengua extranjera asocia con el conocimiento cultural y, indirectamente, menos estigma hacia personas de culturas extranjeras. Las conclusiones extienden el conocimiento previo sobre el contacto intergrupal y demuestran el potencial que tienen las estrategias de pedagogia cultural en la reduccion del estigma intergrupal.

Automated summary

Using intergroup contact and stigma management communication theories, this study examines the impact of cultural teaching and learning in Spanish language classes on cultural stigma, social distance, and ethnocentrism. The results indicate that integrating culture in foreign language education is associated with increased cultural knowledge and indirectly reduces cultural stigma and social distance towards individuals from foreign cultures.