Content-Based Instruction
Content-Based Instruction (CBI) puts the target language in the context of learning the content from another subject. While students are developing skills in a new language, they can be learning topics like geography, biography or history from the target culture!
Model Thematic Unit
Los maya y el norte, one of my graduate projects, was then selected as a model unit by the Minnesota Articulation Project, Center for Advanced Research in Language Acquisition (CARLA). The unit’s goal is for students to gain the background knowledge to understand the poignant setting, events and cultural references of the film.
Cuba Culture Unit
Barbara Cartford used a Cuban story, The Barking Mouse, and the biographies of Elián González, Celia Cruz and Tony Oliva to introduce her beginning language students to the land and culture of Cuba. Download the Cuba Unit to see how meaningful cultural lessons can form the substance of beginning language lessons. This unit was awarded the Percy Fearing Award for Original Curriculum by the Minnesota Council on the Teaching of Languages and Cultures.
Miraflores
Thematic units for teaching culture in Spanish and French classes. Download dozens of ready-to-use lessons for Levels 1 – 4. Teach culture in the target language written at your students’ comprehension level.
