University of the Cordilleras

College of Arts and Sciences

English Department
rd
3 Trimester 2019-2020

COA BSAIS 2B FL 100 ( Foreign Culture & Language)

Teacher: Dr. Lety Chawag
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Module 1.
Foreign Culture & Language Connection

I.Introduction
Cultural awareness is necessary among stake holders. Culture teaching according to
Brooks promotes international understanding /agreement. Thus it must be incorporated in
school and college plans and pedagogical activities. Foreign culture (FC) learning can contribute to
the success in language learning, as Tseng (2002, p.13) puts it: “success in language learning is
conditional upon the acquisition of cultural knowledge: language learners acquire cultural background
knowledge in order to communicate, and to increase their comprehension in the target language.”

II. Duration: 2 Hours and 30 minutes

III. Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the module, the students are expected to have:
A. Distinguished between a foreign cultural value/ norm and a local cultural value/norm.
B. Express agreement or disagreement, affirmation or negation to a foreign value/belief in a
C. Explain the connection between culture and language in a given situation.

IV. Teaching-Learning Activity

A. Put a check mark on the column opposite the practice or belief that you believe are
part of the Filipino culture. Put an X mark if it is a foreign practice or belief . If it is a
foreign practice, try to guess the country where it is practiced or considered as a cultural
belief.
Example:
Cultural Belief/Practice Local Foreign Country
A married woman would burn herself to
death when the husband dies. X India
 Cultural Practice or Belief Local Foreign Country
1.When a famous sumo wrestler loses , it is X Japan
customary for disappointed audience to throw
pillows on the ring.
2.When an item was dropped by anyone, the X Germany
person who finds it hangs it on a tree near the
place where it is found.
3. Employees drop their offering early morning X Indonesia
and drop everything for prayer.
4.People normally plant cheek kisses known as X France
faire la bise as a custom of greeting.
5. During courtship, males often sing courtship X Philippines
songs known as harana early evening outside of
a girl’s house.

B.Enhancement Exercise 1: Choose one cultural practice or belief that you find quite interesting
or intriguing. Then, give your reaction in one statement.
Intriguing/Interesting Practice/Belief:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

C.Examine the words “ sumo,” “faire la bise” and “ harana.” Then answer the following
questions:
1. Do these words sound familiar? ______yes________
2. Do the words have distinct characteristics which helped you easily identify the
country where it is practiced? ___yes__________
3. Does knowledge of the various languages of the world help in knowing the country
of origin of named practice or belief? ____yes_______
4. Must we separate the study of a language from the study of culture? ___no_______

D. World Language Awareness

More or less 7,000 languages are spoken in the world today. Six of these
languages have gained popularity because they have been chosen by the United nations
as official languages used during UN conferences. These include: French, Chinese,Arabic,
English and Russian. Knowing these and other world languages give people the
advantage in business , trade and industry, communication and international relations.
 . Try to look at the image below. Can you identify the country that uses the words of
greetings written? Then accomplish the exercises that follow:

V. Assessment 1

Try to write the greeting expression famous among the countries listed in the matrix.
Then choose one greeting that fascinates you the most. Pay attention to the vowel ad
consonant sounds, the tone (whether it is rising or falling and the speed or pacing .
Practice saying the greeting orally. Prepare to say the greeting to your professor. (20
points)

Greetings Countries
1.Encantado Argentina
2.Dumela rra Botswana
3.Bonjour France
4.Namaste India
5.Ohayoo Japan
6.Tena Koe New Zealand
7.Sawasdi ka Thailand
8.zdravstvuvte Russia
9.Dobryy den’ Czechia
10.Hallo Philippines

VI. Bonus Activity. ( 10 points)

Try to search and install “All Languages Translator” in your phone.
This features audio translation capability. Then practice introducing yourself . Your
introduction must contain the following:

a. Name
b. Age
c. Place of origin
d. Favorite color/ food/ place/ subject/ etc.

Be ready to deliver your brief introduction orally in class next meeting via Zoom
application.

Note: Install Zoom app in your phone/device for next meeting’s interaction. I will be
giving you the link/code on Monday evening.