Grade 11- Understanding Cultural Influences

PRESCRIBED LEARNING OUTCOMES

It is expected that students will:

• identify the contributions of Francophones to Canada and the world
• demonstrate an understanding of similarities and differences between Francophone cultures and their own
• use language, expressions, and behaviours to suit cultural context
  

SUGGESTED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES

Students at this age can observe, from the values and beliefs held by different generations in their families, schools, and community, that values change over time. As their knowledge of Francophone culture increases, so does their ability to make observations about their own cultures. Their knowledge of Francophone culture also begins to enhance their ability to communicate using culturally appropriate expressions.

• Have students in groups read a selection of formal business letters written in French to identify language conventions used. They follow the samples to write letters to Francophone businesses or government agencies they find on the Internet, requesting information or employment opportunities. They should share the replies they receive and continue to note similar use of formal language conventions.
• Have students choose topics (e.g., work, leisure, family rules, consumer habits) and compare those aspects of their lifestyles with those of grandparents and parents (or other cross-generational relations). They relate their conclusions to their own futures and predict how their children might function in tomorrow's society. Students could create and label a series of illustrations, symbols, or computer-generated graphics that reflect these conclusions and predictions.
• Encourage students to keep lists of idiomatic expressions they encounter in oral and reading activities. Students should:
  • categorize them into meaningful groups
  • match a place, context, or scenario with each expression
  • match symbols or cartoons to expressions to aid recall
  • attempt to use these expressions whenever appropriate
• Have students choose topics such as endangered species or nuclear testing. Students research a variety of Francophone countries' web sites and analyse the information they find. Emphasis should be on identifying cultural similarities and differences in how content is presented in the different web sites.
  

SUGGESTED ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES

Assessment focusses on students' ability to look at familiar customs from different points of view, whether in the family, school, or community. At this level, the complexity of students' ideas will far exceed their ability to express them in French. To elicit and reveal higher-level thinking, provide opportunities for students to communicate using symbols, graphics, or diagrams, as well as language.

• When students write business letters, focus on their clarity and use of appropriate language, ritualized expression of greeting, thanks, and closing, and idiomatic expressions.
• As they present their conclusions and predictions about comparative lifestyles, observe and note evidence that students are:
  • aware of key elements of their cultures and behaviours
  • sensitive to more subtle or complex elements or patterns in their cultures and behaviours
  • supportive of their classmates' work
  • interested in the symbols and meanings other students have presented
  • respectful of differences among their classmates
• Examine students' lists of idiomatic expressions and assess the extent to which they are:
  • complete
  • accurate
  • detailed
  • varied
• When students analyse Francophone materials, consider the extent to which they:
  • identify content that reflects the culture(s)
  • identify and describe similarities and differences between the materials and those from other cultures
  • show interest in and appreciation of cultural aspects of the materials
    

RECOMMENDED LEARNING RESOURCES

 Print Material

• Jeunesse Mag: Au-delà des frontières
• "Le magazine" Anthology Series
• Rencontres

 Multimedia

• Des chansons québécoises sans frontières
• En direct 1
• Savoir faire: Voyages 1
• Tous ensemble!

Video

• Jeunes Francophones
• Le café des rêves

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Maintained by: International Languages Coordinator
Last Modified: February 2002

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