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How does the study of language fit into Cultura?
How does the study of language fit into Cultura?
Although the main goal of Cultura is to help our students develop understanding
of another culture, the work they do is constantly and inextricably associated
with the study of language (vocabulary and grammar). Language is not the focus
or driving force behind the course, but it plays an absolutely central role and
language skills are always developed alongside cultural skills.
The study of specific language skills can be done in two major ways:
- as students work with Cultura, they also work with a traditional grammar
book. Their study of specific grammar items (ex: the use of the subjunctive
vs the indicative) can then be enriched and expanded by examples drawn from
the forums of Cultura, for instance. The content provides students with an
extraordinary large database of language in context and language in use.
- students use the content of Cultura (the responses to the questionnaires
and the forums for example) as their sole and entire source of language study.
In this context, the study of language does not follow a prepared set of specific
items to be studied, the way a grammar book does, but lets itself be guided
by the content of Cultura. The adavantage here is that students are exposed
to a completely authentic French throughout.
It is up to you to decide which way you want to go:
- If you choose the first option, you then decide which grammar book you want to use.
- If you choose the second option, you will find suggestions on what language skills can best be developed when and where at the end of all the activities provided in this Guide.