In a recent interpretation of the learning objectives of communicative language teaching, Savignon (2002, p. 114– 115) considers the five goal areas, (known as Five Cs: communication, cultures, connections, comparisons, and communities) agreed upon as National Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the United States as representing a holistic, communicative approach to language learning. In this way, the cultures goal area
- A addresses the learner’s ability to use the target language to communicate thoughts, feelings, and opinions in a variety of settings.
- B addresses the necessity for learners to learn to use the language as a tool to access and process information in a diversity of contexts beyond the classroom.
- C adresses the learners lifelong use of the language, in communities and contexts both within and beyond the school setting itself.
- D addresses the learners understanding of how the products and practices of a culture are reflected in the language.
- E is designed to foster learner insight and understanding of the nature of language and culture through a comparison of the target language and culture with the languages and cultures already familiar to them.