A Systematic Review on the Integration of Local Culture into English Language Teaching in Southeast Asia: Current Practices and Impacts on Learners' Attitude and Engagement

As a response to the status of English as an international language and lingua franca, the integration of local culture now becomes a new trend of teaching English, particularly in outer-circle countries. This review study is intended to give a better understanding of current practices of local culture integration in ELT and its impacts on learners' attitudes and engagement in Southeast Asia. The thematic approach was used to interpret the outcomes of the 25 selected articles. The results are reported in three synthesis statements, defining (1) the geographical spread of local cultural integration in the ELT in Southeast Asia, (2) the impact on learning attitudes and engagement, and (3) the practices of local cultural integration. By interpreting the results of the review, suggestions are made for teachers and researchers to pursue more diverse practices in integrating local culture since it offers a constructive attitude, high motivation, and good engagement in learning English.