The impact of integrating culture in developing listening and speaking skills in learning of French as a foreign language

Abstract

With the interdependence of globalism in the world, learning a foreign language has become a requirement rather than an indulgence. Yet, learning a third language may present a challenge and the issue within the selected group of students is no exception. Filling the gaps of noted scarcity in studies conducted among language learners in schools away from the capital, the following study has addressed the need to explore if the selected students of advanced level integrate the culture in developing listening and speaking skills in learning French as a foreign language. This study was conducted by inquiring the challenges faced by 20 students of Viharamaha Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Kiribathgoda. When learning French as a foreign language, it is considered as their third language in the order of learning languages. After being screened for mistakes, they tended to make when learning French as a foreign language, selected students expressed their opinions through a questionnaire and a worksheet which were then analyzed. Two French language teachers of the selected school were also given a questionnaire to inquire about their opinion on challenges faced by their students when learning French. In addition to the influence of culture on the development of French language learners' listening and speaking skills, the study also provided a basis for future research on whether other factors influence the learners in making progress in the French language other than the influence of culture in the development of listening and speaking skills of language learners. Findings suggested that the students sometimes lack knowledge in vocabulary which has led them to make mistakes in translating or constructing sentences in the French language. However, a deficiency of vocabulary due to the dereliction of the language may be the reason for that, and if there is such an influence, it has not been revealed in this study.