Authenticity In Study Abroad: French From France

Illustration Essay College education may be one of the most stressing periods one may encounter in their life. Stress, along with depression, anxiety, and insomnia, are some of the psychological disorders college students come across. Acceptance into college, tuition, housing, transportation, books, and other materials, are also factors for stress. Aside from these primary issues, secondary issues can include exam taking, time cramping, and distance learning, which can catalyze the development of these disorders. Similarly, transferring to another college or university, may also induce psychological disorders even faster. In recent times, different opportunities have opened for students who wish to expand their college experience further.

Although French is taught to many students before going abroad, the type of French being taught can be controversial. Examples of the variations of the French language is Canadian “inauthentic French” and “authentic” French from France. In the article “Hierarchies of Authenticity in Study Abroad: French From Canada Versus French From France?” it is stated that “some teachers draw on the hierarchization of French to authenticate an identity as French language experts, either by contrasting European and Canadian varieties of French or by projecting France as the locus of French language and culture as an exclusive representative of authentic Frenchness."(1) Another way language barriers can cause major difficulties while studying abroad in a foreign country is by speaking out of context. While attempting to communicate in a second language, students or teachers can misinterpret or miscomprehend information. According to David Esquire’s article, “Me Talk Pretty One Day”, during life abroad, “you must learn to juggle irregular verbs, flying chalk, and the constant threat of bodily harm.” This quote is stated by Mr. Esquire while undergoing harsh verbal abuse by his French instructor for communicating in a misunderstood

Though course goals vary from person to person or major to major, one must decide what goal is desired and how studying aboard will assist in attainment of those goals. One must also keep in mind the realities of possible psychological disorders, dangers, and other difficulties and how they can be handled. Students looking to travel abroad should also get educated about what to expect while traveling. One should know where safe zones and danger zones can be located, and how to handles certain life threatening situations. All in all, students should thoroughly investigate the country they are traveling to, ask for advice or feedback from students that have already gone abroad to those countries, and must always seek help and ask questions from instructors or other college staff.

Works Cited

Wernicke, Meike. "Hierarchies of Authenticity in Study Abroad: French from Canada Versus French from France?." Canadian Journal of Applied Linguistics, vol. 19, no. 2, July 2016, pp. 1-21. EBSCOhost, proxy.swtjc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=120994664&site=ehost-live.

Anderson, , A.J. "Me Talk Pretty One Day (Book Review)." Library Journal, vol. 125, no. 9, 15 May 2000, p. 95. EBSCOhost,