This paper examines the difficulties encountered by students in an EFL situation. Korean students experience significant difficulties due to differences in the cultureal context: Korean culture being high-context and American culture being comparatively low-context. In the American “context,” what is stated is most significant, while in the Korean “context” the physical situation is paramount. Without an understanding of the culture that forms the basis of a language, misunderstandings and incomprehension can result from grammatically correct sentences. Methods that might be used by language teachers in Korea are explored with the purpose of incorporating cross-cultural understanding into the classroom. Teachers, therefore, must be provided with accurate, authentic and contemporary teaching materials that enhance and understanding of the target culture without maintaining stereotypical images. This research was supported by a grant from the Elementary Education Research Center of the Busan National University of Education in 2003.
