Absorbing language through song

by Nicole Findlay

Fear of the unknown often prevents students from exploring differences in language and culture.

Christiane Thérien, an instructor with the Department of French has set up a virtual learning community that is part classroom, part role-play and part time machine.

Using sound Thérien has developed two courses that teach students new ways to accept and interpret new information.

Her first course, Evolution of Quebec Through Song takes students on an audio tour of Quebec’s history. The cultivation of French language, culture and values unfolds as the students are transported through the centuries by songs originated in France and brought over by colonists to New France. This lyrical history captures the evolution of Quebec as a separate entity from France. Without even being aware, students absorb the fluidity of language within a historical and cultural context.

The student response to the course provided Thérien with a solution to the challenge of assessing individual oral skills without relying only on written evaluations.

The Advanced Oral Course introduced this past September for third-year students requires that each participant create their own oral record and provide a peer critique of another student’s work.

“The students love the dynamic exchange of ideas. They review and criticize with respect,” said Thérien. “This hands-on approach is more motivating and keeps them learning.”

Students listen to a Radio-Canada broadcast for specific elements, then record their own summary of content using the same verbs and connect words presented in the original. The reports are posted on the class website and reviewed for specific components by a pre-assigned partner. A one-on-one peer review takes place back in the classroom.

Thérien too provides a direct oral critique as well.

“Once her evaluation of my assignment was done, I would listen to her suggestions, take note of my mistakes, and go back to my original recording to hear them myself,” said Dorna Rahmanian, a fourth-year law and political science student. “With this back and forth listening, I became very conscious of my mistakes and was able to actively look out for them each time I spoke in French.”