The Role of the Internet Resources in Teaching Culture to High School Students

Abstract

As more emphasis is placed on teaching cultures of the target language, a systematic integration of culturally rich activities is necessary at all levels of foreign language instruction. The Internet can present an updated outlook and provide cultural background to the topics studied in a foreign language course. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of Internet resources in teaching culture to high school students. The goal of this research project was to include Internet activities in teaching culture of the target language to intermediate-level high school students and obtain their opinions and perspectives on the Internet use in the course. The findings indicated that the students related to Internet activities positively and even expressed preference in using the Internet compared to the textbook. Internet activities made the coursework more interesting for the students and exposed them to authentic cultural materials. Students were able to relate to the newly acquired knowledge since they attained it through personal choices and exploration. As a result, many of them considered using Francophone Internet for personal purposes resulting in self initiated ongoing contact with the target language.