Culture in Language Teaching : The Value and Function of Culture in the Language Class

My thesis aims to analyze the roots of cultural ignorance that seems to occur in our present days. Students and even adults in some cases are unaware of the world around them. Simplified ideas feed a dangerous and rather popular concept that results in a fake image of other cultures. Stereotypes, misconceptions spread like mushrooms after rain, and - unfortunately it seems that negative images get higher publicity than positive ones. Also, assumptions are rarely reviewed before passing them on. I will try to find a balanced language education method that does not only cover language education but also requires a well based knowledge about the everyday habits of the target geographical areas.