Grade 12- Understanding Cultural Influences

PRESCRIBED LEARNING OUTCOMES

It is expected that students will:

• discuss contemporary issues in the Francophone world
• explain how people are influenced by cultural experiences
• adapt language, expressions, and behaviours to suit cultural context

SUGGESTED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES

Students need opportunities in the classroom to examine cultures in light of all their cultural experiences. By now they will be able to show some cultural awareness when communicating in French.

• Have students interview ten of their friends about people they admire, past and present.
  In groups, they choose four people to examine further regarding their attributes, fields of endeavour, contributions to society, and image. Interview questions might include:
  • Quels sont les qualités que vous admirez chez un héros/une héroone? Pourquoi?
  • Comment a-t-il/elle influencéla culture de son pays ou du monde?
  • Si tu introduisais ce/cette héros/héroone à la classe, que dirais-tu?
    
• Have students list observations—positif and négatif—which, in their view, make up Canadian culture (e.g., popular symbols, role models, customs, government programs, industries). After pooling class ideas, students work in pairs to identify five items which should be promoted and five which should be changed, and show how.
• Invite several Francophone speakers to the class during the year. Different students welcome, question, and thank guests each time, using appropriate expressions of politeness. Students could write letters of invitation and thanks, using formal language conventions.
• Host a Multicultural Fair at school and invite community members. Activities might include:
  • students pinning countries of origin on a large world map
  • PA announcements in a variety of languages
  • cafeteria serving a variety of ethnic foods
  • school radio playing a variety of ethnic music
  • hallway television monitors displaying visuals of Francophone countries
  • school displaying posters and flags of various countries around the school
• Have students role-play a panel discussion on a contemporary issue, such as the role of the U.N. Students could either argue their own viewpoints or those of a specific Francophone country.
  

SUGGESTED ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES

In Grade 12, the outcomes for cultural understanding emphasize awareness and sensitivity. Students reveal their cultural understanding through daily activities and interactions, as well as in the assignments they complete.

• As students talk about their own and other cultures and respond to cultural elements in French, observe and note the extent to which they:
  • ask questions about other cultures
  • comment positively on elements of Francophone culture and other cultures described by their classmates
  • notice elements of culture in the materials they read and view
  • show respect and support for diversity
• After students have identified and discussed heroes and role models, each student identifies and writes to or e-mails a personal role model. (These letters may or may not be sent.) When assessing students' letters, look for:
  • clear, understandable messages
  • examples of the role models' influences on them
  • appropriate use of language
• When students interact with Francophone speakers, observe how easily they:
  • use language appropriate to cultural contexts
  • demonstrate knowledge of formal language conventions
• Provide or negotiate criteria for assessing students' Multicultural Fair. Criteria might assess whether they:
  • clearly identify key aspects of a variety of cultures and their customs
  • offer practical guidelines for interacting with the community
  • show respect and support for diversity
  • emphasize the mutual benefits of being familiar with other cultures
  • communicate clear, understandable messages
  • use appropriate language
• During a panel discussion, observe students' abilities to:
  • effectively present different aspects of the issue
  • develop other points of view
  • show respect for the opinions of other

RECOMMENDED LEARNING RESOURCES

 Print Material

• Jeunesse Mag: Au-delà des frontières
• "Le magazine" Anthology Series
• Passe-partout (First or Second Edition)

 Multimedia

• En direct 2, 3
• Savoir faire: Voyages 2
• Tous ensemble!

Video

• Jeunes Francophones
• Le café des rêves

Previous Page Next Page

© Copyright 2001. All Rights Reserved. Curriculum Branch.
Maintained by: International Languages Coordinator
Last Modified: February 2002

  BC Ministry of Education Home Page