Exploring the Cultures of la Francophonie in the FSL Classroom

Defining “Cultures of la Francophonie”

Within the scope of this project, “culture” and “cultures of la Francophonie” refer to the authentic, practical, and relatable aspects of daily life across Francophone communities worldwide. The focus is on cultural elements with real-life applications — everyday practices, contemporary media, current events, and modern expressions of Francophone identity — that are engaging and relevant to today’s learners.

This framing moves deliberately away from static or stereotypical portrayals of French-speaking life and toward a dynamic, inclusive vision of la Francophonie that reflects the full diversity of its communities, from Canada and Europe to Africa, the Caribbean, and beyond.

Project Objectives and Outcomes

Exploring the Cultures of la Francophonie in the FSL Classroom aims to empower FSL educators to integrate authentic, contemporary Francophone cultural content into their teaching, building stronger connections, deeper motivation, and genuine intercultural competence among students. The project will:

• Strengthen FSL educators’ ability to source, evaluate, and use authentic Francophone cultural materials
• Provide evidence-based strategies and practical tools for fostering intercultural competence in diverse FSL settings
• Bridge the gap between current research on integrating culture in language teaching and everyday classroom practice
• Build a national community of practice where FSL educators can connect, share resources, and learn together

To achieve these objectives, the project will produce the following resources and learning opportunities.

Research

A comprehensive review of innovative research, current gaps, and evidence-based strategies for integrating culture in language education will provide a foundation for the entire project.

Teacher Handbook

This practical, classroom-ready guide for FSL educators will be adaptable to a wide range of programs and grade levels. It will feature the following elements:

• Strategies for sourcing and evaluating authentic cultural materials
• Scenario-based classroom activity examples
• Culturally inclusive lesson planning templates
• Formative assessment tools
• Approaches for developing students’ intercultural competence and metacognitive awareness

Community of Practice

An online community of practice will be established in the CASLT CoLab to facilitate ongoing resource sharing, professional dialogue, and peer support among FSL teachers across Canada.

Professional Learning

Webinars and other online tools will provide practical ways for teachers to meaningfully explore and integrate culture in their classrooms.

• A series of eight interactive webinars — four in English and four in French — highlighting key findings from the research and exploring their practical applications
• Two self-directed learning modules in the CASLT CoLab for teachers seeking flexible, on-demand professional learning
• Four short videos highlighting innovative strategies and approaches, designed for easy sharing and professional learning

Follow this webpage for project updates. We look forward to helping FSL teachers transform language learning through authentic cultural connections.