ERIC Number: EJ766769
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 16
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0015-718X
EISSN: N/A
Call Me "Madame": Re-Presenting Culture in the French Language Classroom
Siskin, H. Jay
Foreign Language Annals, v40 n1 p27-42 Spr 2007
This study examines autobiographies of American teachers of French in order to make explicit their beliefs regarding French language and culture. The themes of class and power are prominent in these teachers' belief systems, as is the desire for self-transformation through mastery of French and miming a subset of French behaviors. These notions can be transformed into student expectations and outcomes. Such beliefs originate in mythologies surrounding the French language, in particular, the existence of "le francais correct" and its symbolic role as a signifier of national identity and community affiliation. In light of these beliefs and practices, instructors are urged to examine their assumptions about language and culture and reflect on the importance of developing critical distance--a privileged space between outsider and insider. (Contains 20 notes.)
Descriptors: Beliefs, Nationalism, Autobiographies, French, Second Language Learning, Language Teachers, Social Class, Power Structure, Cultural Traits, Language Role, Second Language Instruction, Mythology, Language Attitudes, Teacher Education
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. 700 South Washington Street Suite 210, Alexandria, VA 22314. Tel: 703-894-2900; Fax: 703-894-2905; e-mail: headquarters@actfl.org; Web site: http://www.actfl.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A