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Article http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/jhass.2025.07.026

Negotiating Cultural Borders: A Design-based Study of EFL Material Adaptation in Minority Education Settings

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Yixi Danzeng^*, Luosang Quzhen, Furong Ma

Xizang University, Lhasa 850000, Xizang Autonomous Region, China.

*Corresponding author: Yixi Danzeng

Published: July 31,2025

Abstract

This study investigates the adaptation of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teaching materials for ethnic minority students in the Chinese educational context. Drawing on Dudley-Evans and St. John’s foundational principles of material adaptation, the research employs an approach to modify web-based instructional resources, aiming to significantly enhance both cultural relevance and communicative value for target learner populations. The adaptation process involves two key modifications: first, the careful substitution of Western-centric cultural content with carefully selected indigenous elements while meticulously preserving the original pedagogical framework and learning objectives; second, the thorough redesign of classroom activities following Nunan’s communicative task model, with particular attention to creating differentiated instructional approaches that effectively accommodate the diverse linguistic backgrounds and varying proficiency levels of multi-ethnic learners in mixed-ability classroom settings. These adaptations not only exemplify how strategic localization can bridge cultural gaps in language education but also demonstrate practical methodologies for addressing complex issues of cultural and linguistic diversity in contemporary EFL instruction, potentially offering valuable insights for educators working with similar student demographics globally.

Keywords

Material adaptation; Cultural relevance; EFL; Ethnic minority students; Communicative teaching

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How to cite this paper

Negotiating Cultural Borders: A Design-based Study of EFL Material Adaptation in Minority Education Settings

How to cite this paper: Yixi Danzeng, Luosang Quzhen, Furong Ma. (2025) Negotiating Cultural Borders: A Design-based Study of EFL Material Adaptation in Minority Education Settings. Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Science, 9(7), 1417-1425.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/jhass.2025.07.026