The perception of French people by English students

Findings from the Durham cultural studies project 1

Bibliographic Data

ID12112476
AuthorsVeronica Esarte‐Sarries (Durham University, corresponding author), Michael Byram (0000-0003-1116-2366, Durham University)
Year1989
Volume2
Issue3
Pages153-165
Publication date1989-01-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueLanguage Culture and Curriculum (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0790-8318 • E-ISSN: 1747-7573
PublisherRoutledge (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/07908318909525063
OpenAlexW2053961199
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited4

The paper presents preliminary results of a research project on the effect of language teaching on young people's perceptions of other cultures. Interview data on the alleged appearance of French people are presented and discussed under the headings (1) physical appearance, (2) facial expressions and behaviour, and (3) dress. Some correlates of general attitude are also reported. Girls generally have a more positive attitude towards the French than boys, and the attitudes of younger students tend to be more extreme and stereotyped than the attitudes of older pupils. School and class variables, including the teacher, appear to be of considerable importance, although achievement in French does not correlate with positive attitude. It is argued that the educational strategy of reaffirming the basic similarity of all peoples, however well‐intentioned as a counter to prejudice and stereotypes, is not an effective basis for a programme of Cultural Studies. Differences must be recognised and situated in a coherent description of the foreign people and their culture

Class (philosophy · Developmental psychology · Face (sociological concept · Foreign language · Pedagogy · Perception · Positive attitude · Prejudice (legal term · Situated · Social science · Sociology · EFL/ESL Teaching and Learning · Gender Studies in Language · Language, Discourse, Communication Strategies · Psychology · Social Psychology

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