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What they say about us |
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La chaise berçante Language Learning and Technology "The Culture menu provides information on artists and art, songs (including lyrics and music), festivals, paintings, and dances (including video clips to illustrate). This area is indeed a rich source of cultural information for learners. In fact, as learners study a cultural product, such as this traditional story along with its art and music, they have opportunities to explore various cultural perspectives and gain a deeper understanding into the life and culture of the people of that time (Pesola, 1991)." "The dictionary is an impressive feature of the program -- almost every word is glossed, and it is accessible simply by clicking on an unknown word." "One distinct advantage of using a short animated film as a vehicle for language learning is that in it language is seen as a tool, not as an end in itself. It is rich in both content and language, exploring life and traditions of rural Quebec to today. La Chaise Berçante offers an engaging experience for students in that they can discover traditional Quebecois traditions and compare them to those of today (e.g., the carnival)." "Overall, La Chaise Berçante represents an excellent integration of culture and language in the form of story with cultural history. The animated film, music, and interviews are noteworthy additions to this program. The variety in content, style of exercises, and type of information make La Chaise Berçante an attractive way to learn about Quebec. This CD-ROM offers both an enriching and engaging experience for students, teachers, or anyone with an interest in Quebec." - Reviewed by Lara Lomicka, Ph.D., The University of South Carolina "The designers of La chaise berçante were fortunate enough to have a story exceptionally told in the form of "Crac" and then be able to come close in matching the quality of the story with their design of learning activities and supplemental knowledge around historic Quebecois culture."
- Reviewed by Dan Lang CALL@Chorus"It has become a commonplace that in educational multimedia, products are either beautifully produced but pedagogically vacuous, or pedagogically sound but poorly conceptualized or engineered. Fortunately, the occasional product breaks this rule and is both well produced and pedagogically rich. La Chaise Berçante, a CD-ROM that teaches French through the culture of Canada and Quebec, is such a program. Narrative has long been an effective medium through which to teach language and culture. Seeing this program reminded me of what is missing from so many others: a sense of story and culture. " - Reviewed by Maggie Sokolik, Ph.D., UC Berkeley, College Writing Programs “La Chaise Berçante, with its many interesting features, enhances comprehension of spoken and written French and helps viewers improve their own writing as well.” “… contains a variety of well-structured activities and information.” “The message of the film [CRAC!] is universal, and the film can be watched by anyone.” “In our opinion, what makes this CD-ROM even more valuable is the animated legend. The Chasse-galerie tells the story of a group of lumberjacks deciding to sell their soul to the devil so that they can use a flying canoe and be with their families on Christmas Eve. The interesting thing is that the legend can be heard in two different versions: one in standard French and the other one in a Québécois dialect. Thus, teachers who wish to introduce their students to dialects of French will find this part of the CD-ROM invaluable. Introductory audio materials on dialects are rare …, but this program is an exception.” “If you have never been able to give your students an idea of what the Carnaval de Québec or the city of Montréal is like, the Diapos [slides] section will help you.” - Reviewed by Marc Lafontaine, Laval University,
Québec, Canada "Le cédérom LA CHAISE BERÇANTE est l’une des rares ressources multimédias canadiennes qui prennent en compte les différents niveaux de compétence linguistique dans un cadre à la fois souple et attrayant où se marient langue et culture." - Reviewed by Linda de Serres, Ph.D., Département de Français, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières "En somme, un pur plaisir pour l’esprit, la vue, l’ouïe et même ... pour une pratique à l'oral, notamment pour ceux qui souhaitent chanter !" "En définitive, nous recommandons vivement ce cédérom à qui veut s’offrir plusieurs heures d’activités langagières et culturelles en français (langue première ou langue seconde). Les trames sonores, les textes narrés et écrits, les chansons, les animations et les personnages filmés, tout contribue à l’acquisition d’une meilleure maîtrise de la langue tout en laissant place à une immersion culturelle canadienne-française sans pareille. Francophones, francophiles, apprenants de tous niveaux (débutant, intermédiaire, avancé) et de tous âges en tireront, croyons-nous, chacun à leur façon, agréablement profit." - Reviewed by Linda de Serres, Ph.D., Département de Français, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières Listen to an interview between CBC host Bernard St-Laurent and co-author Dana Paramskas (C'est la vie, May 31, 2002). "a must buy .... The program is a wonderful introduction to the culture of the most important Francophone culture in North America. Its motion video sequences, still frames, exercises and activities can be used by a wide variety of learners and learning styles."
- Reviewed by Mikle D. Ledgerwood, professor of French and Technology and Education as well as Director of the Language Learning and Research Center, State University of New York at Stony Brook. Approvals:
Letters from our customers: "... le gros succès, ce fut La
chaise berçante. Ils [les étudiants] étaient
vraiment étonnés et enchantés de la profondeur de cet
outil, avec la quantité incroyable d'information et d'exercices utiles.
Évidemment, je suis du même avis qu'eux!" - Catherine Douesnard, auxiliaire d'enseignement pour le cours Français langue seconde pour étudiants aînés, l'École internationale de français, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières "Mes élèves de la 8e année (fr. langue seconde) ont fort apprécié le cédérom La chaise berçante." - Elizabeth Kreutlein, Ontario "It is hard to believe that after seeing this [film] 20-21 years ago, I have this 'treasure' in my home! At a click of my mouse, I'm transported back to my childhood - back to the home of my grandparents in Rimouski, Quebec. It allows me to hear the music, the spoon playing [...], the singing and the laughter --- the joy! I guess I held these things more vividly and lovingly in my memory than I ever realized." - Frances Zupaniotis (Bérubé), Darien, CT, USA
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