Cultural learning

I believe that culture plays an important part in language learning. Surely, it is not necessary to know anything about a culture to learn textbook language, but culture holds many keys to understanding the eccentricities and minute facets of every language. Even in the United States language differs between cultures. People in the South speak differently and use different expressions than those from the West or Northeast. Language changes between classes as well.

It is possible for teachers to decontextualize a language and teach without acknowledging cultural aspects, but students will not gain as much and may face roadblocks upon using the language in a real setting.

For example, I used the term "courrier electronique" istead of "mel." My family looked at me like I was crazy. People here also speak differently from the textbook tapes I studied in school. Language is part of a culture, therefore it is fully necessary to learn about a culture in order to completely embrace its language.