Maudite métaphore

Abstract

In the French secondary education, teached geography is often overloaden with metaphors. We have compiled those appearing regularly on the map keys in the A-level geography schoolbooks currently used in France : they are numerous, varied and - most of the time - incoherent. The scientific concepts they render are not rigorously defined. Despite the fact that geography as a science is defined on precise fundamentals, the way of teaching this matter is still governed by an imprecise determinism. There is still a deep gap between scientific and didactic methods in geography. The reason is well- known : the majority of the French teachers are not convinced of the scientific nature of their subject. It's time to refuse such an epistemological deficiency, and - on the contrary - to emphasize the true space problematics. It would help students to better «understand the world». But to reach this target, teached geography must be based on more explained concepts. It's an absolute necessity for its future.