The paper attempts to illustrate the importance of an accurate sociocultural description of a number of unconscious verbal and gestural behaviors which help to distinguish a Frenchman from an American. An accurate description of many of the most elementary signs and gestures is needed to help to dispel the notion that there is a one-for-one equivalent between languages. False interpretation and social blunders may result when individuals transfer their own cultural behavior to the setting of the language being learned. Problems also arise when an attempt is made to extend observed foreign behavior to situations which a native speaker would avoid. A "small c" cultural presentation should be part of language teaching from the beginning level through the civilization course. Recent methodological innovations, such as the audio-motor unit, can be useful in setting a context for sociocultural information. (Author/CFM)