Fostering and assessing language learners' cultural understanding is a daunting task, particularly at the early stages of language learning with target language instruction. The purpose of this study was to explore the development of beginning French language learners' intercultural understanding in a computer-mediated environment where students…

Provides a model for becoming more student-centered when addressing cultural materials in the classroom. The model comprises three phases: (1) an information-gathering phase, (2) a target-language communication phase, and (3) a phase in which cultural values are discussed. (Author/JL)

Describes the use of post-NAFTA bilingual or trilingual labels in content-enriched instruction in Spanish classes. Such labels provide informal exposure to the second language as well as comprehensive linguistic and cultural input.(Author/VWL)

Describes the inventory technique, a reading tool which helps second language students to use their background knowledge and experience in overcoming the gap between native and foreign cultural perspectives. The cultural inventory worksheet helps students collect and organize cultural information in written foreign language material. (Author/CB)

Describes the findings in foreign language research and the goals of global education that motivated the use of cities as a point of departure for activities and materials development. Suggests ideas for integrating city-based contextual information into activities for introductory classes and sources of information. Topics for study at…

Describes the process by which an authentic document may be integrated into first- and second-year college and high school classes to form a cultural component of foreign language study. A discussion is presented on how linguistic and cultural information can be extracted from these documents to form the grammatical level of students. (Author/VWL)

Presents the results of a survey on the use of video materials at high school and college levels that was carried out to contribute a better communication between the two levels in Japanese-language education in the United States. Questions asked were, What kinds of videos are used at college and high school levels? and, What are the purposes of…

Describes a qualitative research project designed to explore the relationship between the study of a foreign language literary text and the development of competence in a second culture (C2). Compared the attitudes and performances of students who read a fact sheet about Cote d'Ivoire to students who studied a poem about Cote d'Ivoire. Students…

Illustrates how short contemporary texts dealing with social, historical, cultural, or political issues can be applied to the development of business language proficiency and cross-cultural awareness within an international business curriculum. (Author/VWL)

The Spanish language teacher can enrich the study of Hispanic culture by drawing upon local community resources. Suggestions, resource guides, and bibliographies are offered to enable the classroom teacher to utilize local Cuban, Chicano, and Puerto Rican resources in the teaching of Hispanic culture. (Author)