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Teaching Culture Through the Audio‐Motor Unit
Author(s) -
Elkins Robert J.,
Kalivoda Theodore B.,
Morain Genelle
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
foreign language annals
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.258
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1944-9720
pISSN - 0015-718X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1944-9720.1972.tb02549.x
Subject(s) - picnic , active listening , german , listening comprehension , comprehension , psychology , cultural competence , audio equipment , class (philosophy) , linguistics , pedagogy , communication , computer science , engineering , artificial intelligence , electrical engineering , biology , ecology , philosophy
The audio‐motor unit, an effective device for developing skill in listening comprehension, has proved to be an equally valuable technique for cross‐cultural learning. Units designed around picnic customs of four cultures (American, French, German, Spanish) illustrate the cultural impact inherent in the audio‐motor strategy. Through visual, auditory, and motor involvement, students perceive basic customs unique to each culture. Less obvious differences are brought to light in follow‐up activities. The use of “discussion stimulators” offers exciting possibilities for such cultural expansion. Students are provided general questions and a list of facilitating cues for small group exploration. Conclusions of the small groups are presented to the entire class in an oral exchange which evaluates the validity of cultural assumptions. Other discussion activities to accompany an audio‐motor unit include culture capsules to bring cultural points into sharper focus and multi‐cultural comparisons to expand cross‐cultural learning beyond the boundaries of the target and native languages.