But for the instructor, the process of drawing students' attention to the language used in a video unit and the postviewing focus for discussion can be challenging. Students will discover that the norms in another society are quite different from those in their own. This process of discovery will stimulate conversation among students and increase their language acquisition.
Social variables reveal cultural differences and dictate the social norms of a society.
Age, status, gender, race, class, and connections, generally speaking, make up the cultural norms of a society. Consider the film The Truth About Cats and Dogs, in which gender is a social variable. A female specialist, Dr. Abby Barnes, is a radio talk-show host who gives listeners advice concerning their pets. In turn, Dr. Barnes advises him how to calm the dog down. This video unit opens up discussions on a wide array of topics branching from pet ownership to radio talk-show programming.