Dr. Mara Sukholutskaya, associate professor of English and languages at East Central University, presented a paper in San Antonio Nov. 16-18 at the national conference of the American Council on Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).
Her presentation, titled "My Sweet Giraffe or Tips on Teaching Cultures," offered ideas on selecting materials for a meaningful dialogue of cultures in a language classroom. It also provided suggestions on how to combine language and culture learning from initial encounters with students.
Among other things, the attendees could find out how to address loved ones in Russia, Nigeria, Korea and other countries.
Sukholutskaya is completing the third year of a four-year term on the council's board of directors. More than 10,000 foreign language educators are members of ACTFL, and some 6,000 attended the conference.
She also attended the Delegates' Assembly where important issues of the profession were discussed such as usage of the target language in the classroom and advocacy activities.
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