Sur le terrain: French Sports Culture for the Intermediate Classroom

Sur le terrain: French Sports Culture for the Intermediate Classroom explores the rich and often overlooked intersection of French sports culture and social justice issues, offering students an engaging, thematic approach to language learning.

Through six major French sports and the Olympic Games, this textbook provides insights into broader societal themes such as gender equality, colonial legacies, economic disparity, and mental health, fostering both linguistic proficiency and cultural awareness. Pairing each sport with a relevant social issue, the chapters begin with a short introduction to situate the topic, followed by pre-reading questions, and feature athlete spotlights and thought-provoking assignments that encourage students to connect these themes to their own culture and experiences. Sur le terrain integrates authentic sports-related vocabulary, historical and contemporary case studies, and critical discussions on social justice. By immersing students in real-world cultural contexts, the book enhances communicative competence, deepens intercultural understanding, and increases student engagement.

This textbook is intended for students on culture-focused French language courses at the ACTFL Intermediate Low or CEFR B1 level or higher. It will also appeal to students in sports studies, social sciences, and international studies who wish to explore the cultural and historical significance of sports in France while improving their French language skills.