Cultural Conceptions and Knowledge of University Students of Spanish in Senegal

Abstract

This work aims to examine the prevailing conceptions about culture held by first and third-year students in the degree equivalent to Hispanic Philology in Senegal, as well as their knowledge about the culture of the Hispanic world in particular. After analyzing the students’ ideas about culture, a special focus has been placed on the balance among the so-called three cultures and the Spanish-speaking spaces in their perceptions and knowledge. The results of the question- naires have shown that students show a greater interest in Spanish cultural content; that they identify a larger number of elements related to Culture, even if their knowledge related to Culture and culture is balanced; and that their level of cultural knowledge of the Hispanic world is low. In conclusion, the need to awaken students’ interest in Hispanic cultures and to provide them with resources to approach it outside the classroom is highlighted.