How to Build Cultural and Intercultural Competence in Language Classrooms: Strategies to Foster Connection and Empathy with Cécile Lainé

Teaching a language is more than grammar and vocabulary—it’s about connection, empathy, and understanding diverse cultures. In this blog, I share insights from my conversation with Cécile Lainé, a French teacher passionate about embedding culture and intercultural competence into her novice-level classrooms.

If you’ve ever wondered how to teach culture effectively in beginner language classes, this post is for you.

Why Teaching Culture Matters in Language Classes

Culture is the heart of language learning. For years, like many educators, I struggled to include it in my lessons. Grammar and vocabulary always seemed to take priority, and culture often ended up on the last page of my unit plans.

That changed when I shifted to a comprehensible input approach. I realized that culture wasn’t just an add-on—it was the content that made my lessons engaging and meaningful.

Cécile and I discussed how our understanding of culture has evolved. Zaretta Hammond in Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain, defines culture as “shared attitudes, values, practices, beliefs, and material traits of a group of people.” This definition doesn’t mention “target cultures.” It’s about any group of people.

That shift allowed Cécile to create a classroom where all cultures are welcome—not just French or francophone cultures. This broader definition has been the foundation of her teaching for the past few years.

What Is Intercultural Competence?

According to ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages), intercultural competence involves two key skills:

• Investigating cultural products and practices to understand perspectives.
• Interacting effectively and appropriately with people from other cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

However, there is one element missing in this definition.  Cécile believes that true intercultural competence also requires empathy and compassion. As Cécile pointed out, ACTFL’s 5 C’s—Communication, Cultures, Comparisons, Connections, and Communities—offer a strong framework for teaching these skills. When students connect, compare, and communicate with compassion, they begin to see the world through a new lens.

Common Challenges in Teaching Culture to Novice Learners

Many teachers hesitate to teach culture at the novice level because they assume students lack the language skills for deep conversations. However, as Cécile reminded me, Meredith White once said “They’re novice learners, not novice thinkers.”

The real challenge lies in balancing simplicity with meaningful content. Starting with what students know and experience—like their own traditions—can make culture accessible and relatable.

4 Simple Ways to Teach Culture and Intercultural Competence

Here are actionable strategies to bring culture into your novice-level language classroom:

1. Start With Personalized Questions

Personalized questions and answers (PQA) allow students to share their own cultural traditions and values. For example:

• “What celebrations are important to you?”
• “What foods are special in your family?”

Special person interviews can help students connect with their peers, building empathy and trust before introducing outside cultures. In episode 48, I talk more about the power of PQAs. Listen here.

In episode 49, I also talk about Star Student Interviews, one of my favorite activities, that not only enables me to use a wealth of target language in context but also cultivates connections with my students. 

2. Incorporate Calendar Talk

Use your class calendar to explore cultural and religious holidays. You can find February’s Calendar Talk and more months here. For example:

• “What makes December 25th special to you?”
• “What’s happening in your life this month?”

This strategy lets students see the similarities and differences between their own traditions and others, fostering curiosity and understanding.In episode 11 of the podcast, I explain how you can incorporate Calendar Talk into a 90-minute language class. 

3. Teach Through Holidays

Introduce holidays as they happen throughout the year. Use visuals, simple language, and relatable questions to make them engaging. For example:

• Show photos of Diwali celebrations and ask, “Where do you think this is happening?”
• Highlight local connections, like community events or nearby places of worship, to make the learning personal and relevant.

One way to do this is through cultural articles, such as Panorama Cultural. You can find next month’s Panorama Cultural readings here. 

4. Use Picture Talks

Picture talks are a great way to introduce real people and cultural stories. Cécile shared an example of teaching about Bilal Hassani, a French singer and Eurovision contestant. Through simple descriptions, students learned about his identity, music, and cultural impact, all while developing language skills. Listen above or here for more details.

Why Start With Yourself

Before we teach cultural competence, we need to reflect on our own identities and biases. Ask yourself:

• Whose stories are represented in my curriculum?
• Who is missing, and how can I create space for more voices?

By starting with ourselves, we set the stage for authentic, meaningful cultural conversations in the classroom.

Final Thoughts

Teaching culture and intercultural competence isn’t an extra—it’s essential. Whether you start with personalized questions, holiday discussions, or picture talks, remember that small steps can have a big impact.

Even if your curriculum is restricted, there’s always room to incorporate the human element into your lessons. Start with the students in your classroom, and use their stories as a bridge to explore the world.

As Cécile reminded me, “We’re always learning.” So let’s embrace growth, take risks, and create classrooms where compassion and connection thrive.