La Famille et Les PersonnesCULTURE ASSIMILATOR 3

Video- La Famille: Qu'est-ce que c'est? - Cliquez ici

1. FAMILY LIFE IN FRANCE

You are staying with your aunt who lives in a little village in the middle of France. You are having

lunch with a few of her friends and they are asking about your family. You explain that there are 5 kids in your family. You tell them that you and two younger brothers live in Georgia, your older sister is going to college in Chicago, and

that your brother lived in Miami, but now moved to New York for a job. Her friends are shocked by

this! Why do you think they are shocked?

1. FAMILY LIFE IN FRANCE

1. In France, the government only allows a maximum of 2 children per household so they are surprised that there are 5 kids in your family.

2. In France, they rarely go to college.3. In France, a majority of people

remain near their family in the region they were born.

1. FAMILY LIFE IN FRANCE

1. In France, the government only allows a maximum of 2 children per household so they are surprised that there are 5 kids in your family.

2. In France, they rarely go to college.3. In France, a majority of people

remain near their family in the region they were born.

1. FAMILY LIFE IN FRANCE

Extended families, at least in rural France, are extremely common. Often,

families have occupied the same property for generations and those that have left home have only managed to

stagger a few hundred meters down the road. Grandmas, aunties and

godparents are all normally close to hand.

1. FAMILY LIFE IN FRANCE

You have just arrived in France for the summer to live with a host family. The mother goes grocery shopping on Saturday and comes home with a LOT of food. You ask what is going on and you think she says that some young people are coming over. Instead, Sunday afternoon about 30 members of their extended family arrive. What is happening?

2. FAMILY MEALS

1. It is your host brother’s birthday and everyone has come to celebrate.

2. July 14th is the next day and it is customary to gather the extended family together to celebrate the French Independence Day.

3. It is customary for extended families to get together on Sunday afternoons for a large lunch.

2. FAMILY MEALS

1. It is your host brother’s birthday and everyone has come to celebrate.

2. July 14th is the next day and it is customary to gather the extended family together to celebrate the French Independence Day.

3. It is customary for extended families to get together on Sunday afternoons for a large lunch.

*You realized that when you asked she said “déjeuner” which means lunch and not something about “les jeunes” which means young people!! Oops! You live and learn!

2. FAMILY MEALS

You already know the French are obsessed with food and have seen some interestingly

different foods put on the table. However, your host mother tells you that you will be eating

roast chicken for lunch. You are excited but a little surprised when the roast chicken is

brought to the table fully cooked with its head and claws attached and even more surprised

when grandma is given the head and she cracks it open with her knife and eats the brain. How do you react to this situation?

2. FAMILY MEALS

2. FAMILY MEALS

1. Scream “this is gross!” and run out of the room.

2. Tell your host mother that you are vegetarian.

3. Ask to eat the chicken feet.4. Follow the example of your host

family and assume it is a cultural norm. And also, you try not to vomit.

2. FAMILY MEALS

1. Scream “this is gross!” and run out of the room.

2. Tell your host mother that you are vegetarian.

3. Ask to eat the chicken feet.4. Follow the example of your host

family and assume it is a cultural norm. And also, you try not to vomit.

2. FAMILY MEALS

 You wonder why grandma was automatically given the chicken head. Why might this be?

1. Grandma is on a special diet of chicken brains.

2. Grandma’s conversation is so bad they have to keep her busy somehow.

3. The chicken head is a cultural honor and it is a mark of respect for the older generation.

2. FAMILY MEALS

 You wonder why grandma was automatically given the chicken head. Why might this be?

1. Grandma is on a special diet of chicken brains.2. Grandma’s conversation is so bad they have to keep

her busy somehow.3. The chicken head is a cultural honor and it is a mark

of respect for the older generation.

Can you think of any other “bizarre” foods that people may eat in French-speaking countries? Does your family eat food that other people might consider “bizarre?”

2. FAMILY MEALS

En France les noms de famille ont des origines très variées. Certains évoquent une caractéristique

physique: Legrand, Lebrun, Petit.

3. LES NOMS DE FAMILLE

D’autres sont des noms d’endroits: Lacour, Dujardin, Delarue.

3. LES NOMS DE FAMILLE

D’autres sont des noms de profession: Médecin, Boucher, Charpentier

3. LES NOMS DE FAMILLE

D’autres encore sont des termes géographiques: Dumont, Duval, Dubois

3. LES NOMS DE FAMILLE

French Toy Commercial- Cliquez ici

4. LES ENFANTS ET LES ANIMAUX

Do you think they have the same type of toys for children in France

as they do in America?

Les enfants et les animaux- Cliquez ici

4. LES ENFANTS ET LES ANIMAUX

three short videos about two sisters and the animals they like

-Glencoe Video Program, Episode 1

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES