Influence of culture in the classroom

In reflecting on the connection between language and culture, I thought about how this is represented in a language learning classroom. Can we separate language from culture and still teach language in a meaningful, authentic way? 

For me, French culture is embedded in the process of learning the language. We are exposed to French authors, topics, stories, people and traditions. The cultural aspect gives us meaningful context in which we learn the language. In coming across an article, '"I wouldn't want to impose!" Intercultural mediation in french immersion" (2018), it made me think about this connection between language and culture and how it's presented in the classroom differently by different teachers. 

For meaningful instruction, I think that culture can't be separated from language. As a form of communication and connection, language is connected to its culture by bringing people together. In the article, they state that, "Traditionally, language education programs tended to be dominated by a Chomskyan (1965) view of language that considers language as primarily a structural system of grammatical rules and vocabulary. This view presents a static and autonomous, decontextualized view of language, which results in notions of a prescribed linguistic standard independent of social variation" (Keating Marshall & Bokhorst-Heng, 2018. p. 295). This also demonstrates the concept of language without culture being reduced down to a set of calculated rules and equations. Without culture, language loses a whole aspect of its value as a mode of connection and a representation of history and traditions. 

The article also states that, "Language teachers thus serve as mediators between the target language and culture, their students’ various languages and cultures, and their own native languages and cultures" (Keating Marshall & Bokhorst-Heng, 2018. p. 295). This also suggests that the role of language teachers is more than just transmitting the language structure and vocabulary. It's an integration of all cultures of the student and teacher evolving into an authentic, meaningful experience of acquiring a new way to communicate and connect with others. 

I find this an interesting idea to reflect on as a French Immersion teacher. I think about how my own cultural experiences are transmitted in my language teaching and how it contributes to creating an authentic, meaningful experience for my students. 


Resource:

Keating Marshall, K., & Bokhorst‐Heng, W. D. (2018). “I wouldn't want to impose!” intercultural mediation in french immersion. Foreign Language Annals, 51(2), 290-312.