【正文】 special rules. For these symbols, there is no correction between the word and the item in the world that it refers to.Communication is considered to be the primary function of the language. However, functions of language are varied. According to Hu Zhuanglin, there are seven functions:, providing useful information for our life. function, by which people establish and maintain their states in a society. , changing the social states of persons. function, changing the emotive states of an audience for or against something or someone. munication, social interaction of language. function. function, talking about language itself. (1116)II. What is Culture?As we all know, different languages have different cultures. “Culture is the collective programming of the mind which distinguish the members of one category of people from another” (Hofstede 154). Culture, in a broad sense, is an integrated pattern of human behavior that includes munication, practices, beliefs, values, customs, thoughts, rituals as well as manners of interacting and roles. As culture is inclusive and rich, it almost permeates every aspect of people’s life and affects people’s behavior.In this part, I just want to explore two basic ways to define the term “culture.” The first definition es from humanities. It emphasizes on the way a social group represents itself and others by its material productions, for example, their works of art, literature, social institutions, artifacts of everyday life, and the mechanisms for their production. The second definition es from the social science. It refers to the attitudes and beliefs, ways of thinking, behaving and remembering shared by members of the munity. III. The Relationship between Language and CultureThere is no doubt that language is a significant and vital part of a given culture and the effect of the culture upon a given language is evident and indispensable. Different languages may reflect different cultures. Different cultures entail different language expressions. Language and culture closely associated with each other and depend on each other. In other words, they emerged together, developed bit by bit together。 at last they were mature together.i. Historical RelationshipThe origin of language is closely associated with the origin of human beings. Around three millions years ago, the natural condition was very harsh and serious. Humankind had to face the threats of low temperature, fierce animals and other danger which made their living difficult. As a result, they were in great need of uniting and cooperating together. Then, language, as an inevitable vocal tool for their munication, emerged in their life. As any tribe or group has their own way of living, their own customs, habits, their language evolved with the influence of their culture. In a word, language and culture intrinsically depend on each other. They have evolved though the history.ii. Geographical RelationshipThere are numerous tribes and munities in different parts of the world. For instance, China is in Asia, France is in Europe. Different countries and societies have different cultures and languages. To say China again, the people in China speak Chinese and they also have their own way of thinking and behaving as well as some customs and festivals. For example, the most important festival in China is Spring Festival while the French regard Christmas Day as their most important day. What is more, how to celebrate their festivals is different from one country to another according to their traditions.However, with the global village, the boundary of geography is gradually obscure. Protecting the traditional culture has bee a public concern. Some countries have already taken some urgent and effective steps to protect their particular culture, even their language.iii. Educational RelationshipThe importance of teaching culture has been widely recognized for teachers. Educators fear that the mere mastery of language systems by no means guarantees the international munication and cooperation. Although students gain a large number of vocabularies, grammar points, they could not use English in a proper and free way. Nowadays, in China, more and more English teachers try their best to find a way in which students can speak unadulterated English. As a matter of fact, students cannot truly master the language until they have also mastered the cultural context in which the language occurs.“Applied linguists and language teachers have increasingly aware that a second language or foreign language can rarely be learned or taught without addressing the culture of munity in which it is used” (Hinkel 2). Thomas observes that “nonnative speakers are often perceived to display inappropriate language behaviors and often are not even aware that they do” (Thomas 92). He further points out that “teachers must draw on research on to develop ways of heightening and refining students’ metagramatic awareness, so that they are able to express themselves as they choose”(94). Chapter TwoWhy Teaching Culture in EFLI. Culture Differences: the Obstacle of Understanding EnglishAs different countries have different cultures, some difficulties and obstacles will arise when we listen, speak, read, write English. In the following paragraphs, I will explore some misunderstandings of English because of cultural differences.i. Listening Obstacles in EnglishWith wide spread of English, we get more and more chances to listen to English. However, some teachers and students continue to plain the difficulties in understanding English. They have an acceptable mastery of vocabularies, grammar points as well as pronunciation knowledge. Some students buy tape records for listening and spend quite a few hours everyday on them. Then, what is the real reason for their so little achievement?One critical reason is that they are lack of cultural background of these western countries. Aural prehension, which is