Abstract:

The multicultural classroom has become a reality of Canadian universities of the twenty first century. Both teachers and learners come from different cultures and in some cases they challenge yet another different language together. There is no GPS for the roads to be taken to succeed in language learning under these circumstances. So-called “non-native” teachers with practically native proficiency opt to take their students on the paths less traveled which are often unknown to the so-called “native speaker”. While not actually born with the language they are teaching, these “Locuteurs de Formation” are nevertheless carriers of the culture associated with this language. They are able to bring it into the classroom as a powerful and effective learning tool. Lifelong learners themselves, such teachers inspire their students to see and hear beyond words and master the language in an uncompromised context of culture.This presentation will highlight successful and innovative teaching learning methods for today's university classroom for those who are seeking not only to be fluent in the second language but also fluid in its culture.

Keywords:

Multicultural, teaching and learning, second language pedagogy.