CH Stands for Cheese, Right? A Swiss Culture Class and the National Standards

Abstract

Culture has always been a part of foreign language learning. However, in recent years, more and more language professors advocate placing culture at the center of our classes. The question of just how to teach culture remains a topic of debate. This paper describes the reworking of a traditional German grammar and reading course into a class that integrates grammar, literature, non‐fiction texts, and cultural presentations in order to teach students explicitly about Swiss cultural products and practices. The effectiveness of the reworked course is assessed through pre‐ and post‐tests of factual knowledge of and attitudes toward Switzerland. The redesigned class serves as a model for incorporation of the ACTFL National Standards into an advanced German language course.