Although teaching language through rich and authentic cultural content has been an ongoing practice in Carondelet’s language classrooms, it has become ever more imperative to ensure that these efforts are truly inclusive, diverse and widely representative of all members of those cultures. Just as we have (mostly:) left behind mindless and ineffective conjugation drills, we must take a close look at the “culture” we are teaching. Our department has been hard at work examining our content and resources, and including cultural contexts that reflect the speakers/signers of the languages that we teach.
Here are some examples of our work:
In our French 2 classes, our students learned about the rituals of Rosh Hashana, and its enduring significance in French Jewish culture.
In French 1 classes, students watched a video about breakfast preferences, and compared them to their own and that of other French-speaking countries.
In ASL, all classes discuss audism (the belief that one’s ability to hear or behave as one who hears is superior) and how it affects Deaf people in their everyday lives.
Kristin is preparing a fascinating unit for ASL 3 about BASL (Black American Sign Language) and its origins.
When black and white students went to separate schools, there were also separate Deaf Residential Schools. The Black-Deaf schools developed their own way of signing. These signs and culture are still passed on today in many families and communities.
Kristin is preparing a fascinating unit for ASL 3 about BASL (Black American Sign Language) and its origins.
When black and white students went to separate schools, there were also separate Deaf Residential Schools. The Black-Deaf schools developed their own way of signing. These signs and culture are still passed on today in many families and communities.
In Spanish, Kerry’s students discussed the importance of language diversity after watching and reacting to a video of a young woman who sings in Quechua an indigenous language of Peru, and parts of Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia and Chile.
In French 3, students explored the culture of protest of the disenfranchised through street art in Paris and Brussels. We explored graffiti and murals, discussed Art Vs. Vandalism, and created a wall mural to commemorate with words of love, courage and compassion, the victims of 9/11.
These are just a few of the many ways we show students that the world’s diversity comes in many hues and tones!
Language and culture go hand in hand. It is so wonderful you.are using language to explore different cultures. We must expand our understanding of diversity if we are to improve our own culture.
Culture is key… we learn to speak because it becomes a part of who we are. Seeing your French 3 this year get so into the posters and communicating feelings was amazing. I loved seeing Sandra's projects last year that allowed her students to "experience" the language. I love how Karina does not shy away from difficult topics… human trafficking or all sorts of other projects that allow her students to grapple with complex topics that require them to step it up a notch to properly communicate the complexity of the issue.
Language is our identity… so hard for young adults to make room for a new identity and reassess who they are. It sparks joy when I see how this translates in your department's classrooms!
I think this is why learning another language is so important. It's a window into another perspective or way of looking at the world.
The only way I was able to get through my Spanish classes in college was heading to Mexico to immerse myself in another culture….at one point I was actually fluent and made wonderful connections with people in Zihuatenejo Mexico…I carry much of that experience with me today…totally agree Kerry and Elizabeth…thanks for sharing Nadine 🙂
What wonderful ways to explore culture! My DEI Council will be coming to the department to discuss our Cultural Festival that we will sponsor in January. I know that they want to reach out to Kristen about highlighting deaf culture. The Festival is going to be a true DEI experience looking at all types of cultures, not just ethnic cultures.