Cultural Factors that Influence the Acquisition of French

Used in Colima, México

Abstract

Nowadays, cultural factors that influence the acquisition of French as a Foreign Language (FLE) is a topic which has been significantly increasing and gaining relevance all over the world. The literature review presents the different approaches researchers are making about the cultural influence in the acquisition of a language. Other approaches are in terms of the comparison and contrasting processes, intercultural awareness, and the positive and negative influence of culture. This research was carried out to deepen on these factors from the voice of students who have lived the experience of an exchange program in Toulouse, France. This study was performed from a Qualitative Approach and under the Case Study Method to know the opinion of some students who lived the experience of an exchange program. To collect data, a questionnaire was designed, and a series of interviews were conducted as instruments and techniques. Furthermore, the findings were analyzed from the Grounded Theory with the support of ATLAS.ti, to facilitate interpretation and allow the most representative and influential factors to emerge from the voice of subject members of the study. A group of university students was chosen as the universe, and the population was selected specifically considering the participation in an exchange program. The sample was nine students from different parts of the world, three Saxons and six Latinos. Finally, the application process was carried out by digital media, interviews via Facebook and questionnaires by email and as a result, nine factors were discovered.