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Descriptors

Knowledge

K1 - K7 Language (see directly below)

K8 - K15 Culture

Language

K 1 - Language as semiological system

K 1

Pluralistic approaches are ESSENTIAL for the development of this resource

Knows some of the principles of how languages work

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K 1.1

Pluralistic approaches are IMPORTANT for the development of this resource

Knows that language is / languages are composed of signs which form a (semiological) system

K 1.2	Knows that the relationship between words and their referent, / between the signifier and the meaning° is a priori an arbitrary one
K 1.2.1	Knows that even cases of onomatopeia, where a link does exist between word and referent, retain a degree of arbitrariness and vary from one language to another
K 1.2.2	Knows that two words which may have the same form / look alike in different languages do not automatically mean the same
K 1.2.3	Knows that grammatical categories are not “the” replica of reality but one way of organising this in language
K 1.2.3.1	Knows that grammatical gender and sexual gender are not the same thing

K 1.3	Knows that the arbitrary link between the word and the referent / between the signifier and the meaning is established, most often implicitly, as a convention within the linguistic community
K 1.3.1	Knows that within the same linguistic community, individuals give approximately the same meaning to the same signifiers

K 1.4	Knows that languages work in accordance with rules / norms
K 1.4.1	Knows that these rules / norms may vary in the strictness / flexibility of their application and that they may sometimes be intentionally broken because the speaker wishes to transmit an implicit content
K 1.4.2	Knows that these rules / norms may evolve in time and across physical distances

K 1.5

Knows that there are always variations within what one may consider to be the same language

K 1.6

Pluralistic approaches are USEFUL for the development of this resource

Knows that a language functions differently in its spoken and written forms

K 1.7

Possesses knowledge of a linguistic nature about a particular language (/the mother tongue / the language of schooling / foreign languages/…)

K 2 - Language and Society

K 2

Knows the role of society in the way languages work / the role of language in the way society works

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K 2.1	Has knowledge about synchronic variations in languages {regional, social, generational, professional, specific-public related (international English, “foreigner talk”, motherese ...) ...}
K 2.1.1	Knows that each one of these variations can be legitimate in certain contexts and under certain conditions
K 2.1.2	Knows that one must keep in mind the sociocultural characteristics of speakers using these variations in order to interpret them
K 2.1.3	Knows some categories of languages with regard to their status in society (/official language / regional language / slang / ...)

K 2.2

Knows that each individual belongs to at least one linguistic community and that many persons belong to more than one linguistic community

K 2.3

Knows that identity is constructed / defined in interaction with “the other” during the process of communication

K 2.4

Knows that the language one uses contributes, along with other phenomena, to one’s identity

K 2.5	Knows some of the characteristics of one’s own linguistic situation / environment
K 2.5.1	Has knowledge about the sociolinguistic diversity of own environment
K 2.5.2	Knows the role played by different languages in one’s environment (/everyday language / language of schooling / familiar language / ...)
K 2.5.3	Knows that one’s own linguistic identity may be complex (due to personal, familial, national history ...)
K 2.5.3.1	Knows the determining components of one’s own linguistic identity

K-2.6

Has knowledge about historical facts (linked to relations between nations / people, migrations ...) which have influenced / influence the origins or the evolution of some languages

K-2.7

Knows that in mastering knowledge about languages, one also acquires historical / geographic knowledge

K 3 - Verbal and non-verbal communication

K 3

Knows some of the principles of how communication functions

view subdescriptors

K 3.1	Knows that apart from linguistic communication, there are other forms of communication [that linguistic communication is but one of the possible forms communication can take]
K 3.1.1	Knows some examples of animal communication
K 3.1.2	Knows some examples of human non-linguistic communication (sign language, braille, gestures …)

K 3.2

Possesses knowledge about one’s own communicative repertoire {languages and varieties, discursive genres, forms of communication ...}

K 3.3

Knows that one must adapt one’s own communicative repertoire to the social and cultural context within which communication is taking place

K 3.4	Knows that culture and identity influence communicative interactions
K 3.4.1	Knows that both actions / behaviours and the way they are interpreted / evaluated are linked to cultural references
K 3.4.2	Has knowledge of how cultures structure different roles in social interaction

K 3.5	Knows that one’s communicative competence originates from (usually implicit) knowledge of a linguistic, cultural and social nature
K 3.5.1	Knows that in order to communicate, one has at his / her disposal implicit and explicit information / knowledge and knows that others have information / knowledge of the same order
K 3.5.2	Is aware of some of the aspects of the implicit knowledge upon which one’s own ability to communicate depends

K 3.6	Knows that in view of his / her plurilingual and pluricultural competence, a person who speaks a foreign language possesses a particular status in communication (a special status in communication)
K 3.6.1	Knows that a person who possesses partial knowledge of a foreign language may have difficulty in communication and that he °may need to / should be helped to ensure better communication
K 3.6.2	Knows that a person possessing knowledge about at least another language / culture, may play the role of mediation towards that other °language / culture

K 4 - Evolution of Languages

K 4

Knows that languages are continuously evolving

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K 4.1	Knows that languages are linked between themselves by so-called “kinship” relationships / knows that languages belong to families
K 4.1.1	Knows about some families of languages and of some languages which make up these families

K 4.2	Knows about the phenomenon of “loaning” from one language to another
K 4.2.1	Knows about the conditions which bring about linguistic “loans” {situations of contact, lexical / terminological needs linked to new °products / technologies, swings of style ...}
K 4.2.2	Knows what differentiates a linguistic “loan” from linguistic “kinship”
K 4.2.3	Knows that certain “loans” have spread across a number of languages (taxi, computer, hotel, ...)

K 4.3

Possesses knowledge about the history of languages (/the origin of some languages / some lexical and phonological evolutions / ...)

K 5 - Multiplicity, diversity, multilingualism & plurilingualism

K 5

Has some knowledge about language diversity / multilingualism / plurilingualism

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K 5.1

Knows that there are very many languages in the world

K 5.2

Knows that there are many different kinds of sounds used in languages {phonemes, rhythmic patterns ...}

K 5.3

Knows that there are many different kinds of script

K 5.4

Knows that multilingual / plurlingual situations vary according to countries / regions {number / status of languages, attitudes towards languages ...}

K 5.5

Knows that multilingual / plurlingual situations are likely / liable to evolve

K 5.6	Knows that sociolinguistic situations can be complex
K 5.6.1	Knows that one must not confuse country with language
K 5.6.1.1	Knows that there are often several languages used in one country / one same language used in several countries
K 5.6.1.2	Knows that often the borders between languages and countries do not coincide precisely

K 5.7

Is aware of the existence of situations of multilingualism / plurilingualism in one’s own environment and in other places, near or far

K 6 - Similarities and differences between languages

K 6

Knows that there are similarities and differences between languages / linguistic variations²

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K-6.1	Knows that each language has its own system
K 6.1.1	Knows that the system which makes up one’s own language is only one possibility among others

K 6.2	Knows that each language has its own, partly specific, way of perceiving / organising reality
K 6.2.1	Knows that the particular way in which each language expresses / “organises” the world is influenced by culture
K 6.2.2	Knows therefore that in translating from one language to another there is rarely a word for word solution, a simple exchange of labels, but that one should see the process within the context of a different °perception / organisation of reality

K 6.3

Knows that categories used to describe the workings of a language (/the mother tongue / the language of education/) may not necessarily exist in others {number, gender, the article ...}

K 6.4	Knows that even when these categories can be found in another language, they are not necessarily organised in the same way
K 6.4.1	Knows that the number of elements which make up a category may vary from one language to another { masculine and feminine / masculine, feminine, neuter ...}
K 6.4.2	Knows that the gender of the same word may vary from one language to another

K 6.5	Knows that each language has its own phonetic / phonological system
K 6.5.1	Knows that the sounds / sound system of other languages may be different to varying degrees from one’s own language(s)
K 6.5.2	Knows that other languages may possess sounds which the untrained ear may not even perceive, but which permit the users of those languages to distinguish one word from another / words from others
K 6.5.3	Knows that different languages may resemble each other / may vary in their prosody (/rhythm / accentuation / intonation/)

K 6.6	Knows that there is no word for word equivalence from one language to another
K 6.6.1	Knows that languages may use a different number of words to express the same thing
K 6.6.2	Knows that what one language may express with one word may be expressed by two or more words in another language
K 6.6.3	Knows that certain aspects of reality may be expressed in words in one language, but not in others

K 6.7	Knows that words may be constructed differently in different languages
K 6.7.1	Knows that languages may use different ways to indicate categories / relations {agreement / plural / possession ...}
K 6.7.2	Knows that the order in which elements making up a single word are placed may differ from one language to another
K 6.7.3	Knows that what one language expresses through the use of a compound word may correspond to the use of a group of words in another language

K 6.8	Knows that the organisation of an utterance may vary from one language to another
K 6.8.1	Knows that the order of words may differ from one language to another
K 6.8.2	Knows that the relationships between the elements of an utterance (/ groups of words / words /) may be expressed differently from one language to another {through the word order, through endings, through prepositions / postpositions ...)

K 6.9	Knows that systems of script may function in different ways
K 6.9.1	Is aware of the existence of different forms of script {phonograms, ideograms, pictograms}
K 6.9.2	Knows that the number of units used in writing may be very different from one language to another
K 6.9.3	Knows that similar sounds may be expressed in completely different ways in different languages
K 6.9.4	Knows that the correspondence established between graphemes and phonemes in alphabetic systems is specific to each language

K 6.10	Knows that there are similarities and differences between verbal / non-verbal° communication systems from one language to another
K 6.10.1	Knows that there are differences in the verbal / non-verbal ways in which feelings are expressed in different languages
K 6.10.1.1	Is familiar with some differences in the way feelings are expressed in some languages
K 6.10.2	Knows that some language functions (/the rituals of greeting / formulae of politeness /...) which may seem to be the same may not necessarily function the same way from one language to another
K 6.10.3	Knows that the rules of conversation [relating to the way one addresses others] may vary from one language to another {Who may take the initiative? Who may speak to whom? Who is addressed in formal manner or in familiar terms as in ?}

K 7 - Language and acquisition / learning

K 7

Knows how one acquires / learns a language

view subdescriptors

K 7.1	Knows some of the basic principles which underly the process of learning to speak a language
K 7.1.1	Knows that learning a language is a long and arduous process
K 7.1.2	Knows that it is normal to commit errors when one has not yet mastered a language
K 7.1.3	Knows that certain behaviours can help the learner, but that incessant correction or ridicule can in the same way “block” the process
K 7.1.4	Knows that one never completely knows a language / that there are always things one does not know / that there is always room for improvement

K 7.2

Knows that one can rely on the (structural / discursive / pragmatic) similarities between languages in order to learn languages

K 7.3

Knows that one can learn better if one has a positive attitude towards linguistic differences

K 7.4

Knows that the way one sees / perceives a language influences the learning of that language

K 7.5	Knows that there are different strategies for learning languages and that the different strategies are not equally relevant in view of the learning objectives of the learner
K 7.5.1	Knows about different strategies and their relevance {listening and repeating, copying out several times, translating, attempting to construct utterances ...}

K 7.6

Knows that it is useful to be well aware of learning strategies one uses in order to be able to adapt them to one’s specific objectives

Culture

K 8 - Cultures: general characteristics

K 8

Possesses knowledge about what cultures are / how they work

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K 8.1

Knows that a culture is a grouping of practices / representations / values of all kinds shared (at least partially) by its members

K 8.2

Knows that a number of cultures, more or less different, exist

K 8.3

Knows that cultural systems are complex / manifest themselves in different domains {social interaction, the relationship with the environment, knowledge of reality, language, table manners, …}

K 8.4	Knows that the members of each culture define (partially) specific rules / norms / values about social practices / behaviours
K 8.4.1	Knows some rules / norms / values relative to social practices in certain domains in other cultures {greetings, everyday needs, sexuality, death, etc.}
K 8.4.2	Knows that some of these norms may constitute taboos
K 8.4.3	Knows that these rules / norms / values may be more or less rigid / flexible
K 8.4.4	Knows that these rules / norms / values may evolve in time and space

K 8.5

Knows that certain social practices in each culture may be arbitrary {rites, language3, table manners, etc.}

K 8.6	Knows that each culture determines / organises at least partly the perception / view of the world / way of thinking of its members
K 8.6.1	Knows that facts / behaviours / speech may be perceived / understood differently by members of different cultures
K-8.6.2	Is familiar with some schemes of interpretation specific to certain cultures as far as knowledge of the world is concerned {numbering, methods of measurement, ways of telling time, etc.}

K 8.7	Knows that cultures influence behaviours / social practices / personal evaluations (of oneself / of others)
K 8.7.1	Is familiar with some social practices / customs from neighbouring cultures
K 8.7.2	Is familiar with some specificities of one’s own culture in relation to certain °social practices / customs° from other cultures

K 9 - Cultural and social diversity

K 9

Knows that cultural diversity and social diversity are closely linked

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K 9.1

Knows that a culture is always complex and is itself made up of (more or less) different and conflictual / convergent subcultures

K 9.2	Knows that within a culture there exist subcultures corresponding to regional / generational groupings
K 9.2.1	Knows some examples of the variation of cultural practices according to social / regional / generational groupings
K 9.2.2	Knows (in one’s own culture or in other cultures) some norms related to social practices and which are specific to certain social / regional / generational groupings

K 9.3

Knows that every person forms part of at least one cultural community and that many persons form part of more than one cultural community

K 9.4	Knows some characteristics of one’s own situation / cultural environment
K 9.4.1	Knows (at least to some extent) which culture(s) one lives in

K 10 - Cultures and intercultural relations

K 10

Knows the role of culture in intercultural relations and communication

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K 10.1

Knows that customs / norms / values specific to each culture make behaviour / personal decisions complex within a context of cultural diversity

K 10.2	Knows that culture and identity influence communicative interactions
K 10.2.1	Knows that behaviours / words and the ways in which they are interpreted / evaluated are linked to cultural references
K 10.2.2	Is aware of how cultures structure roles in social interactions

K 10.3	Knows that cultural differences may underly verbal / non verbal communication / interaction
K 10.3.1	Knows that difficulties in communication caused by cultural differences may result in cultural shock / cultural fatigue

K 10.4	Knows that intercultural relations and communication are influenced by knowledge / representations one has of other cultures and those that others have of one’s own culture
K 10.4.1	Knows that knowledge one has of cultures often includes stereotypes < a simplified and sometimes useful way of grasping one aspect of reality, liable to lead to oversimplification and generalisation >
K 10.4.2	Knows some stereotypes of cultural origin which may affect intercultural relations and communication
K 10.4.3	Is aware of the existence of cultural prejudice
K 10.4.3.1	Knows some examples of prejudice / misunderstandings of cultural origin (especially in the case of the cultures of those communities whose language one is learning)

K 10.5	Knows that the interpretation that others give to one’s behaviour may be different from that which that same person himself / herself gives to that same behaviour
K 10.5.1	Knows that one’s own cultural practices may be interpreted by others through the application of stereotypes
K 10.5.1.1	Knows some stereotypes other cultures have about one’s own culture

K 10.6

Knows that the perception of one’s own culture depends also on individual factors {previous experiences, traits of character …}

K 10.7

Knows [is aware of] one’s own reactions to (/ linguistic / language / cultural/ ) difference

K 10.8	Has cultural references which structure one’s knowledge and perception of the world / other cultures as well as one’s intercultural, social and communicative practices
K 10.8.1	Has knowledge about cultures which are the object of formal learning / which belong to other learners in the class / which one finds in the immediate environment
K 10.8.2	Knows certain elements which are characteristic of one’s own culture in comparison to other cultures which are the object of formal learning / which belong to other learners in the class / which one finds in the immediate environment

K 10.9	Knows strategies which one can use to resolve intercultural conflicts
K 10.9.1	Knows that the causes of misunderstanding must be sought / clarified in common

K 11 - The evolution of cultures

K 11

Knows that cultures are continuously evolving

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K 11.1	Knows that cultural practices / values are created by and evolve under the influence of different factors (/ history / the environment / the actions of members of the community / …)
K 11.1.1	Knows that the members of a cultural community play / may play an important part in the evolution of their culture
K 11.1.2	Knows that the environment often offers the opportunity for one to understand / to explain certain cultural practices / values
K 11.1.2.1	Knows the role of institutions and politics in the evolution of cultures
K 11.1.3	Knows that history / geography often offer one the opportunity to understand / to explain certain cultural practices / values
K 11.1.3.1	Knows certain historical facts (linked to relations between races / nations, to migrations …) / geographical facts which have influenced / influence° the creation or evolution of certain cultures

K 11.2	Knows that certain cultures are linked by particular historical relationships (common origin, old contacts, etc.)
K 11.2.1	Knows some major cultural areas (linked to history, religion, language, etc.)

K 11.3	Knows that cultures continuously exchange elements between themselves
K 11.3.1	Knows that cultures can influence each other
K 11.3.2	Knows some cultural elements which one’s own culture has borrowed from others, as well as the history of these elements
K 11.3.3	Knows some elements which one’s own culture has given to other cultures
K 11.3.4	Knows that cultural differences tend to dwindle under the influence of globalization

K 12 - The diversity of cultures

K 12

Knows several phenomena relative to the diversity of cultures

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K 12.1	Knows that there is (still) a great multiplicity of cultures all over the world
K 12.1.1	Knows that in connection with the diversity of cultures, there exists a great plurality of practices / customs / habits
K 12.1.2	Knows that in connection with the diversity of cultures, there exists a great plurality of values / norms

K 12.2	Knows that it is often difficult to distinguish one culture from another
K 12.2.1	Knows that the borders between cultures are often blurred / indeterminate / shifting
K 12.2.2	Knows that it is difficult to distinguish / “count” cultures

K 12.3	Knows that one can find an extensive variety of situations of contacts between cultures
K 12.3.1	Knows that one must not confuse culture and country / culture and language

K 12.4

Knows that different cultures are continuously in contact in our immediate environment

K 12.5	Knows that the diversity of cultures does not imply superiority / inferiority of any one in relation to the others
K 12.5.1	Knows that relations between countries are often unequal / hierarchised
K 12.5.2	Knows that hierarchies established arbitrarily between cultures change with time
K 12.5.3	Knows that hierarchies established arbitrarily between cultures change according to one’s point of view / the point of reference
K 12.5.3.1	Knows that the graphical representation of the world is different according to the maps one is using

K 13 - Resemblances and differences between cultures

K 13

Knows that resemblances and differences exist between (sub)cultures

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K 13.1	Knows that each culture has (partially) its own way of functioning
K 13.1.1	Knows that the same act may have a different meaning / value / function according to different cultures

K 13.2	Knows that there may be resemblances / differences between cultures
K 13.2.1	Knows some resemblances / differences between one’s own culture and other cultures
K 13.2.2	Knows some resemblances / differences between social practices / customs / values / means of expression between different cultures
K 13.2.3	Knows some resemblances / differences° between the cultures of different social / generational / regional groups
K 13.2.3.1	Knows some resemblances / differences between the cultures of different (social / generational / regional) groups in one’s immediate environment
K 13.2.4	Knows some differences in verbal / non verbal expression of feelings (/ of emotions /…) in different cultures3
K 13.2.5	Knows some differences in the verbal / non verbal expression of social relations in different cultures

K 14 Culture, laguage and identity

K 14

Knows that identity is constructed, amongst other things, in relation to one or more linguistic / cultural affiliations

view subdescriptors

K 14.1	Knows that identity is constructed on different levels {social, national, supranational …}
K 14.1.1	Knows that the similarities and the differences between European cultures are a constitutive element of European identity

K 14.2

Knows that one always belongs to various (sub)cultures

K 14.3	Knows that one can have a multiple / plural / composite identity
K 14.3.1	Knows that such an identity may be difficult to assume / live but that it may be lived in a perfectly harmonious way

K 14.4

Knows that °bi/pluricultural / bi/plurilingual identities exist

K 14.5

Knows of the existence of dangers of cultural weakening / alienation° // possibilities of cultural enrichment°° which may come about as a result of contact with other (dominant) languages / cultures

K 14.6	Knows that one’s own cultural identity may be complex (due to personal, family, national history …)
K 14.6.1	Knows some major elements of one’s own cultural identity

K 15 - Culture and cultural °acquisition / learning

K 15

Knows how one acquires / learns a culture

view subdescriptors

K 15.1

Knows that belonging to a culture / acculturation° is the result of a long (largely implicit and subconscious) process of learning

K 15.2

Knows that one can apprehend a new culture as long as one wants to and one accepts the values linked to that culture

K 15.3

Knows that one is never obliged to adopt the behaviours / values of another culture

K 15.4

Knows that it is normal to commit “errors” of °behaviour / interpretation of behaviours° when one does not sufficiently know a culture and that being aware of this opens the way to learning

K 7.1	Knows some of the basic principles which underly the process of learning to speak a language
K 7.1.1	Knows that learning a language is a long and arduous process
K 7.1.2	Knows that it is normal to commit errors when one has not yet mastered a language
K 7.1.3	Knows that certain behaviours can help the learner, but that incessant correction or ridicule can in the same way “block” the process
K 7.1.4	Knows that one never completely knows a language / that there are always things one does not know / that there is always room for improvement

K 7.2

Knows that one can rely on the (structural / discursive / pragmatic) similarities between languages in order to learn languages

K 7.3

Knows that one can learn better if one has a positive attitude towards linguistic differences

K 7.4

Knows that the way one sees / perceives a language influences the learning of that language

K 7.5	Knows that there are different strategies for learning languages and that the different strategies are not equally relevant in view of the learning objectives of the learner
K 7.5.1	Knows about different strategies and their relevance {listening and repeating, copying out several times, translating, attempting to construct utterances ...}

K 7.6

Knows that it is useful to be well aware of learning strategies one uses in order to be able to adapt them to one’s specific objectives

Knowledge

K1 - K7 Language (see directly below)

K8 - K15 Culture

Language

K 1 - Language as semiological system

K 1

Knows some of the principles of how languages work

view subdescriptors

K 1.1

Knows that language is / languages are composed of signs which form a (semiological) system

K 1.2	Knows that the relationship between words and their referent, / between the signifier and the meaning° is a priori an arbitrary one
K 1.2.1	Knows that even cases of onomatopeia, where a link does exist between word and referent, retain a degree of arbitrariness and vary from one language to another
K 1.2.2	Knows that two words which may have the same form / look alike in different languages do not automatically mean the same
K 1.2.3	Knows that grammatical categories are not “the” replica of reality but one way of organising this in language
K 1.2.3.1	Knows that grammatical gender and sexual gender are not the same thing

K 1.3	Knows that the arbitrary link between the word and the referent / between the signifier and the meaning is established, most often implicitly, as a convention within the linguistic community
K 1.3.1	Knows that within the same linguistic community, individuals give approximately the same meaning to the same signifiers

K 1.4	Knows that languages work in accordance with rules / norms
K 1.4.1	Knows that these rules / norms may vary in the strictness / flexibility of their application and that they may sometimes be intentionally broken because the speaker wishes to transmit an implicit content
K 1.4.2	Knows that these rules / norms may evolve in time and across physical distances

K 1.5

Knows that there are always variations within what one may consider to be the same language

K 1.6

Knows that a language functions differently in its spoken and written forms

K 1.7

Possesses knowledge of a linguistic nature about a particular language (/the mother tongue / the language of schooling / foreign languages/…)

K 2 - Language and Society

K 2

Knows the role of society in the way languages work / the role of language in the way society works

view subdescriptors

K 2.1	Has knowledge about synchronic variations in languages {regional, social, generational, professional, specific-public related (international English, “foreigner talk”, motherese ...) ...}
K 2.1.1	Knows that each one of these variations can be legitimate in certain contexts and under certain conditions
K 2.1.2	Knows that one must keep in mind the sociocultural characteristics of speakers using these variations in order to interpret them
K 2.1.3	Knows some categories of languages with regard to their status in society (/official language / regional language / slang / ...)

K 2.2

Knows that each individual belongs to at least one linguistic community and that many persons belong to more than one linguistic community

K 2.3

Knows that identity is constructed / defined in interaction with “the other” during the process of communication

K 2.4

Knows that the language one uses contributes, along with other phenomena, to one’s identity

K 2.5	Knows some of the characteristics of one’s own linguistic situation / environment
K 2.5.1	Has knowledge about the sociolinguistic diversity of own environment
K 2.5.2	Knows the role played by different languages in one’s environment (/everyday language / language of schooling / familiar language / ...)
K 2.5.3	Knows that one’s own linguistic identity may be complex (due to personal, familial, national history ...)
K 2.5.3.1	Knows the determining components of one’s own linguistic identity

K-2.6

Has knowledge about historical facts (linked to relations between nations / people, migrations ...) which have influenced / influence the origins or the evolution of some languages

K-2.7

Knows that in mastering knowledge about languages, one also acquires historical / geographic knowledge

K 3 - Verbal and non-verbal communication

K 3

Knows some of the principles of how communication functions

view subdescriptors

K 3.1	Knows that apart from linguistic communication, there are other forms of communication [that linguistic communication is but one of the possible forms communication can take]
K 3.1.1	Knows some examples of animal communication
K 3.1.2	Knows some examples of human non-linguistic communication (sign language, braille, gestures …)

K 3.2

Possesses knowledge about one’s own communicative repertoire {languages and varieties, discursive genres, forms of communication ...}

K 3.3

Knows that one must adapt one’s own communicative repertoire to the social and cultural context within which communication is taking place

K 3.4	Knows that culture and identity influence communicative interactions
K 3.4.1	Knows that both actions / behaviours and the way they are interpreted / evaluated are linked to cultural references
K 3.4.2	Has knowledge of how cultures structure different roles in social interaction

K 3.5	Knows that one’s communicative competence originates from (usually implicit) knowledge of a linguistic, cultural and social nature
K 3.5.1	Knows that in order to communicate, one has at his / her disposal implicit and explicit information / knowledge and knows that others have information / knowledge of the same order
K 3.5.2	Is aware of some of the aspects of the implicit knowledge upon which one’s own ability to communicate depends

K 3.6	Knows that in view of his / her plurilingual and pluricultural competence, a person who speaks a foreign language possesses a particular status in communication (a special status in communication)
K 3.6.1	Knows that a person who possesses partial knowledge of a foreign language may have difficulty in communication and that he °may need to / should be helped to ensure better communication
K 3.6.2	Knows that a person possessing knowledge about at least another language / culture, may play the role of mediation towards that other °language / culture

K 4 - Evolution of Languages

K 4

Knows that languages are continuously evolving

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K 4.1	Knows that languages are linked between themselves by so-called “kinship” relationships / knows that languages belong to families
K 4.1.1	Knows about some families of languages and of some languages which make up these families

K 4.2	Knows about the phenomenon of “loaning” from one language to another
K 4.2.1	Knows about the conditions which bring about linguistic “loans” {situations of contact, lexical / terminological needs linked to new °products / technologies, swings of style ...}
K 4.2.2	Knows what differentiates a linguistic “loan” from linguistic “kinship”
K 4.2.3	Knows that certain “loans” have spread across a number of languages (taxi, computer, hotel, ...)

K 4.3

Possesses knowledge about the history of languages (/the origin of some languages / some lexical and phonological evolutions / ...)

K 5 - Multiplicity, diversity, multilingualism & plurilingualism

K 5

Has some knowledge about language diversity / multilingualism / plurilingualism

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K 5.1

Knows that there are very many languages in the world

K 5.2

Knows that there are many different kinds of sounds used in languages {phonemes, rhythmic patterns ...}

K 5.3

Knows that there are many different kinds of script

K 5.4

Knows that multilingual / plurlingual situations vary according to countries / regions {number / status of languages, attitudes towards languages ...}

K 5.5

Knows that multilingual / plurlingual situations are likely / liable to evolve

K 5.6	Knows that sociolinguistic situations can be complex
K 5.6.1	Knows that one must not confuse country with language
K 5.6.1.1	Knows that there are often several languages used in one country / one same language used in several countries
K 5.6.1.2	Knows that often the borders between languages and countries do not coincide precisely

K 5.7

Is aware of the existence of situations of multilingualism / plurilingualism in one’s own environment and in other places, near or far

K 6 - Similarities and differences between languages

K 6

Knows that there are similarities and differences between languages / linguistic variations²

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K-6.1	Knows that each language has its own system
K 6.1.1	Knows that the system which makes up one’s own language is only one possibility among others

K 6.2	Knows that each language has its own, partly specific, way of perceiving / organising reality
K 6.2.1	Knows that the particular way in which each language expresses / “organises” the world is influenced by culture
K 6.2.2	Knows therefore that in translating from one language to another there is rarely a word for word solution, a simple exchange of labels, but that one should see the process within the context of a different °perception / organisation of reality

K 6.3

Knows that categories used to describe the workings of a language (/the mother tongue / the language of education/) may not necessarily exist in others {number, gender, the article ...}

K 6.4	Knows that even when these categories can be found in another language, they are not necessarily organised in the same way
K 6.4.1	Knows that the number of elements which make up a category may vary from one language to another { masculine and feminine / masculine, feminine, neuter ...}
K 6.4.2	Knows that the gender of the same word may vary from one language to another

K 6.5	Knows that each language has its own phonetic / phonological system
K 6.5.1	Knows that the sounds / sound system of other languages may be different to varying degrees from one’s own language(s)
K 6.5.2	Knows that other languages may possess sounds which the untrained ear may not even perceive, but which permit the users of those languages to distinguish one word from another / words from others
K 6.5.3	Knows that different languages may resemble each other / may vary in their prosody (/rhythm / accentuation / intonation/)

K 6.6	Knows that there is no word for word equivalence from one language to another
K 6.6.1	Knows that languages may use a different number of words to express the same thing
K 6.6.2	Knows that what one language may express with one word may be expressed by two or more words in another language
K 6.6.3	Knows that certain aspects of reality may be expressed in words in one language, but not in others

K 6.7	Knows that words may be constructed differently in different languages
K 6.7.1	Knows that languages may use different ways to indicate categories / relations {agreement / plural / possession ...}
K 6.7.2	Knows that the order in which elements making up a single word are placed may differ from one language to another
K 6.7.3	Knows that what one language expresses through the use of a compound word may correspond to the use of a group of words in another language

K 6.8	Knows that the organisation of an utterance may vary from one language to another
K 6.8.1	Knows that the order of words may differ from one language to another
K 6.8.2	Knows that the relationships between the elements of an utterance (/ groups of words / words /) may be expressed differently from one language to another {through the word order, through endings, through prepositions / postpositions ...)

K 6.9	Knows that systems of script may function in different ways
K 6.9.1	Is aware of the existence of different forms of script {phonograms, ideograms, pictograms}
K 6.9.2	Knows that the number of units used in writing may be very different from one language to another
K 6.9.3	Knows that similar sounds may be expressed in completely different ways in different languages
K 6.9.4	Knows that the correspondence established between graphemes and phonemes in alphabetic systems is specific to each language

K 6.10	Knows that there are similarities and differences between verbal / non-verbal° communication systems from one language to another
K 6.10.1	Knows that there are differences in the verbal / non-verbal ways in which feelings are expressed in different languages
K 6.10.1.1	Is familiar with some differences in the way feelings are expressed in some languages
K 6.10.2	Knows that some language functions (/the rituals of greeting / formulae of politeness /...) which may seem to be the same may not necessarily function the same way from one language to another
K 6.10.3	Knows that the rules of conversation [relating to the way one addresses others] may vary from one language to another {Who may take the initiative? Who may speak to whom? Who is addressed in formal manner or in familiar terms as in ?}

K 7 - Language and acquisition / learning

K 7

Knows how one acquires / learns a language

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K 7.1	Knows some of the basic principles which underly the process of learning to speak a language
K 7.1.1	Knows that learning a language is a long and arduous process
K 7.1.2	Knows that it is normal to commit errors when one has not yet mastered a language
K 7.1.3	Knows that certain behaviours can help the learner, but that incessant correction or ridicule can in the same way “block” the process
K 7.1.4	Knows that one never completely knows a language / that there are always things one does not know / that there is always room for improvement

K 7.2

Knows that one can rely on the (structural / discursive / pragmatic) similarities between languages in order to learn languages

K 7.3

Knows that one can learn better if one has a positive attitude towards linguistic differences

K 7.4

Knows that the way one sees / perceives a language influences the learning of that language

K 7.5	Knows that there are different strategies for learning languages and that the different strategies are not equally relevant in view of the learning objectives of the learner
K 7.5.1	Knows about different strategies and their relevance {listening and repeating, copying out several times, translating, attempting to construct utterances ...}

K 7.6

Knows that it is useful to be well aware of learning strategies one uses in order to be able to adapt them to one’s specific objectives

Culture

K 8 - Cultures: general characteristics

K 8

Possesses knowledge about what cultures are / how they work

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K 8.1

Knows that a culture is a grouping of practices / representations / values of all kinds shared (at least partially) by its members

K 8.2

Knows that a number of cultures, more or less different, exist

K 8.3

Knows that cultural systems are complex / manifest themselves in different domains {social interaction, the relationship with the environment, knowledge of reality, language, table manners, …}

K 8.4	Knows that the members of each culture define (partially) specific rules / norms / values about social practices / behaviours
K 8.4.1	Knows some rules / norms / values relative to social practices in certain domains in other cultures {greetings, everyday needs, sexuality, death, etc.}
K 8.4.2	Knows that some of these norms may constitute taboos
K 8.4.3	Knows that these rules / norms / values may be more or less rigid / flexible
K 8.4.4	Knows that these rules / norms / values may evolve in time and space

K 8.5

Knows that certain social practices in each culture may be arbitrary {rites, language3, table manners, etc.}

K 8.6	Knows that each culture determines / organises at least partly the perception / view of the world / way of thinking of its members
K 8.6.1	Knows that facts / behaviours / speech may be perceived / understood differently by members of different cultures
K-8.6.2	Is familiar with some schemes of interpretation specific to certain cultures as far as knowledge of the world is concerned {numbering, methods of measurement, ways of telling time, etc.}

K 8.7	Knows that cultures influence behaviours / social practices / personal evaluations (of oneself / of others)
K 8.7.1	Is familiar with some social practices / customs from neighbouring cultures
K 8.7.2	Is familiar with some specificities of one’s own culture in relation to certain °social practices / customs° from other cultures

K 9 - Cultural and social diversity

K 9

Knows that cultural diversity and social diversity are closely linked

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K 9.1

Knows that a culture is always complex and is itself made up of (more or less) different and conflictual / convergent subcultures

K 9.2	Knows that within a culture there exist subcultures corresponding to regional / generational groupings
K 9.2.1	Knows some examples of the variation of cultural practices according to social / regional / generational groupings
K 9.2.2	Knows (in one’s own culture or in other cultures) some norms related to social practices and which are specific to certain social / regional / generational groupings

K 9.3

Knows that every person forms part of at least one cultural community and that many persons form part of more than one cultural community

K 9.4	Knows some characteristics of one’s own situation / cultural environment
K 9.4.1	Knows (at least to some extent) which culture(s) one lives in

K 10 - Cultures and intercultural relations

K 10

Knows the role of culture in intercultural relations and communication

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K 10.1

Knows that customs / norms / values specific to each culture make behaviour / personal decisions complex within a context of cultural diversity

K 10.2	Knows that culture and identity influence communicative interactions
K 10.2.1	Knows that behaviours / words and the ways in which they are interpreted / evaluated are linked to cultural references
K 10.2.2	Is aware of how cultures structure roles in social interactions

K 10.3	Knows that cultural differences may underly verbal / non verbal communication / interaction
K 10.3.1	Knows that difficulties in communication caused by cultural differences may result in cultural shock / cultural fatigue

K 10.4	Knows that intercultural relations and communication are influenced by knowledge / representations one has of other cultures and those that others have of one’s own culture
K 10.4.1	Knows that knowledge one has of cultures often includes stereotypes < a simplified and sometimes useful way of grasping one aspect of reality, liable to lead to oversimplification and generalisation >
K 10.4.2	Knows some stereotypes of cultural origin which may affect intercultural relations and communication
K 10.4.3	Is aware of the existence of cultural prejudice
K 10.4.3.1	Knows some examples of prejudice / misunderstandings of cultural origin (especially in the case of the cultures of those communities whose language one is learning)

K 10.5	Knows that the interpretation that others give to one’s behaviour may be different from that which that same person himself / herself gives to that same behaviour
K 10.5.1	Knows that one’s own cultural practices may be interpreted by others through the application of stereotypes
K 10.5.1.1	Knows some stereotypes other cultures have about one’s own culture

K 10.6

Knows that the perception of one’s own culture depends also on individual factors {previous experiences, traits of character …}

K 10.7

Knows [is aware of] one’s own reactions to (/ linguistic / language / cultural/ ) difference

K 10.8	Has cultural references which structure one’s knowledge and perception of the world / other cultures as well as one’s intercultural, social and communicative practices
K 10.8.1	Has knowledge about cultures which are the object of formal learning / which belong to other learners in the class / which one finds in the immediate environment
K 10.8.2	Knows certain elements which are characteristic of one’s own culture in comparison to other cultures which are the object of formal learning / which belong to other learners in the class / which one finds in the immediate environment

K 10.9	Knows strategies which one can use to resolve intercultural conflicts
K 10.9.1	Knows that the causes of misunderstanding must be sought / clarified in common

K 11 - The evolution of cultures

K 11

Knows that cultures are continuously evolving

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K 11.1	Knows that cultural practices / values are created by and evolve under the influence of different factors (/ history / the environment / the actions of members of the community / …)
K 11.1.1	Knows that the members of a cultural community play / may play an important part in the evolution of their culture
K 11.1.2	Knows that the environment often offers the opportunity for one to understand / to explain certain cultural practices / values
K 11.1.2.1	Knows the role of institutions and politics in the evolution of cultures
K 11.1.3	Knows that history / geography often offer one the opportunity to understand / to explain certain cultural practices / values
K 11.1.3.1	Knows certain historical facts (linked to relations between races / nations, to migrations …) / geographical facts which have influenced / influence° the creation or evolution of certain cultures

K 11.2	Knows that certain cultures are linked by particular historical relationships (common origin, old contacts, etc.)
K 11.2.1	Knows some major cultural areas (linked to history, religion, language, etc.)

K 11.3	Knows that cultures continuously exchange elements between themselves
K 11.3.1	Knows that cultures can influence each other
K 11.3.2	Knows some cultural elements which one’s own culture has borrowed from others, as well as the history of these elements
K 11.3.3	Knows some elements which one’s own culture has given to other cultures
K 11.3.4	Knows that cultural differences tend to dwindle under the influence of globalization

K 12 - The diversity of cultures

K 12

Knows several phenomena relative to the diversity of cultures

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K 12.1	Knows that there is (still) a great multiplicity of cultures all over the world
K 12.1.1	Knows that in connection with the diversity of cultures, there exists a great plurality of practices / customs / habits
K 12.1.2	Knows that in connection with the diversity of cultures, there exists a great plurality of values / norms

K 12.2	Knows that it is often difficult to distinguish one culture from another
K 12.2.1	Knows that the borders between cultures are often blurred / indeterminate / shifting
K 12.2.2	Knows that it is difficult to distinguish / “count” cultures

K 12.3	Knows that one can find an extensive variety of situations of contacts between cultures
K 12.3.1	Knows that one must not confuse culture and country / culture and language

K 12.4

Knows that different cultures are continuously in contact in our immediate environment

K 12.5	Knows that the diversity of cultures does not imply superiority / inferiority of any one in relation to the others
K 12.5.1	Knows that relations between countries are often unequal / hierarchised
K 12.5.2	Knows that hierarchies established arbitrarily between cultures change with time
K 12.5.3	Knows that hierarchies established arbitrarily between cultures change according to one’s point of view / the point of reference
K 12.5.3.1	Knows that the graphical representation of the world is different according to the maps one is using

K 13 - Resemblances and differences between cultures

K 13

Knows that resemblances and differences exist between (sub)cultures

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K 13.1	Knows that each culture has (partially) its own way of functioning
K 13.1.1	Knows that the same act may have a different meaning / value / function according to different cultures

K 13.2	Knows that there may be resemblances / differences between cultures
K 13.2.1	Knows some resemblances / differences between one’s own culture and other cultures
K 13.2.2	Knows some resemblances / differences between social practices / customs / values / means of expression between different cultures
K 13.2.3	Knows some resemblances / differences° between the cultures of different social / generational / regional groups
K 13.2.3.1	Knows some resemblances / differences between the cultures of different (social / generational / regional) groups in one’s immediate environment
K 13.2.4	Knows some differences in verbal / non verbal expression of feelings (/ of emotions /…) in different cultures3
K 13.2.5	Knows some differences in the verbal / non verbal expression of social relations in different cultures

K 14 Culture, laguage and identity

K 14

Knows that identity is constructed, amongst other things, in relation to one or more linguistic / cultural affiliations

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K 14.1	Knows that identity is constructed on different levels {social, national, supranational …}
K 14.1.1	Knows that the similarities and the differences between European cultures are a constitutive element of European identity

K 14.2

Knows that one always belongs to various (sub)cultures

K 14.3	Knows that one can have a multiple / plural / composite identity
K 14.3.1	Knows that such an identity may be difficult to assume / live but that it may be lived in a perfectly harmonious way

K 14.4

Knows that °bi/pluricultural / bi/plurilingual identities exist

K 14.5

K 14.6	Knows that one’s own cultural identity may be complex (due to personal, family, national history …)
K 14.6.1	Knows some major elements of one’s own cultural identity

K 15 - Culture and cultural °acquisition / learning

K 15

Knows how one acquires / learns a culture

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K 15.1

Knows that belonging to a culture / acculturation° is the result of a long (largely implicit and subconscious) process of learning

K 15.2

Knows that one can apprehend a new culture as long as one wants to and one accepts the values linked to that culture

K 15.3

Knows that one is never obliged to adopt the behaviours / values of another culture

K 15.4

Knows that it is normal to commit “errors” of °behaviour / interpretation of behaviours° when one does not sufficiently know a culture and that being aware of this opens the way to learning

K 7.1	Knows some of the basic principles which underly the process of learning to speak a language
K 7.1.1	Knows that learning a language is a long and arduous process
K 7.1.2	Knows that it is normal to commit errors when one has not yet mastered a language
K 7.1.3	Knows that certain behaviours can help the learner, but that incessant correction or ridicule can in the same way “block” the process
K 7.1.4	Knows that one never completely knows a language / that there are always things one does not know / that there is always room for improvement

K 7.2

Knows that one can rely on the (structural / discursive / pragmatic) similarities between languages in order to learn languages

K 7.3

Knows that one can learn better if one has a positive attitude towards linguistic differences

K 7.4

Knows that the way one sees / perceives a language influences the learning of that language

K 7.5	Knows that there are different strategies for learning languages and that the different strategies are not equally relevant in view of the learning objectives of the learner
K 7.5.1	Knows about different strategies and their relevance {listening and repeating, copying out several times, translating, attempting to construct utterances ...}

K 7.6

Knows that it is useful to be well aware of learning strategies one uses in order to be able to adapt them to one’s specific objectives

Pluralistic approaches are ...
	useful
	important
	essential
... for the development of this resource.

Pluralistic approaches are ...
	useful
	important
	essential
... for the development of this resource.