Some experts, however, approach the issue of teaching culture with some kind of
reservation. Bada (2000) reminds us that awareness of cultural values and societal
characteristics does not necessarily invite the learner to conform to such values, since they are
there to “refine the self so that it can take a more universal and less egoistic form” (p.100).
Besides, we are reminded of the fact that English language is the most studied language all
over the world, whereby the language has gained a lingua franca status (Alptekin, 2002;
Smith, 1976). Alptekin (2002) in his article, favoring an intercultural communicative
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competence rather than a native-like competence, asserts that since English is used by much
of the world for instrumental reasons such as professional contacts, academic studies, and
commercial pursuits, the conventions of the British politeness or American informality proves
irrelevant. Quite in the same manner, Smith (1976) highlighting the international status of
English language lists why culture is not needed in teaching of English language:
• there is no necessity for L2 speakers to internalize the cultural norms of native
speakers of that language
• an international language becomes de-nationalized
• the purpose of teaching an international language is to facilitate the communication of
learners’ ideas and culture in an English medium (qtd. in McKay, 2003).