Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025): Language and Culture in Education
Articles

Comedy as Resource for Learning Culture in English as a Foreign Language

Paper
  • Francois Waldeck Rousseau
Francois Waldeck Rousseau
Kaohsiung Medical University

Published 2025-05-21

Keywords

  • comedy, cultural learning, EFL

Copyright (c) 2025 Francois Waldeck Rousseau (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Rousseau, F. W. (2025). Comedy as Resource for Learning Culture in English as a Foreign Language. Journal of Language and Culture in Education, 2(2), 181-195. https://doi.org/10.5281/tt61qy75

Abstract

This study explores the potential of comedy as a pedagogical tool for teaching culture in the EFL classroom. By examining three popular genres—situational comedy, sketch comedy, and stand-up comedy—this research highlights how these genres serve as a valuable medium for engaging learners with cultural norms, values, and social dynamics. Through an analysis of sample comedic materials, the study demonstrates how comedy facilitates the exploration of cultural stereotypes, popular culture, and socio-cultural critique, making cultural learning more accessible and engaging. Pedagogically, the findings suggest that integrating comedic content into EFL instruction can enhance students’ cross-cultural awareness, encourage critical thinking about cultural representations and social issues, and provide a more immersive learning experience. The study also emphasizes the need for careful selection of comedic material to ensure suitability and effective learning outcomes.

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