A teaching model for professional French: With reference to Aviation French.
The goal of this study is to develop a teaching model for aviation French in the university. This curriculum model focuses on three major features - i.e. linguistic (lexical, phonological and syntactical), situational and cultural- as criteria for teaching. As for the lexical aspect, using Crocker(2014) as the main textbook, as well as in-flight service announcement scripts, the model satisfies the scope of the special vocabulary used in this field. In regard to the phonological aspect, the model uses Crocker(2014)’s main textbook audio files, along with a security video released by Air France in 2015. Regarding the syntactical aspect, this study focuses on ‘the voice’, or ‘the mode’ airline employees generally use, conveying an atmosphere of courtesy and professionalism in their interaction with passengers. The linguistic feature therefore, goes with the situational feature. In addition, the model includes a cultural feature, professions working in the aviation industry will likely encounter. It is important to address frequent cultural mistakes to the learners so that they can appreciate the need to tolerate and respect different cultures. Regarding overall curriculum, the model focuses on listening and reading comprehensions in the first half of the course. But starting from week nine, the model focuses on speaking and writing skills by providing a role play section and a composition section. In the final two weeks, the model requires learners to give presentations on topics related to the air industry.