Written by Gabriela Estrada

Have you ever seen Canadians wear a red poppy? red poppy on their chest? This practice is very common, as it is associated with the Memorial Daywhich is celebrated every November 11. This tradition serves not only as a theme to learn about the history of the history history of the country, but also to apply deductive deductive reading and to advance in English and French.

If you think you need to know all the words to understand the text, don't worry, it's not like that, it's just a matter of learning to leer between the lines a new language.

In this blog, I will show you step by step how to apply deductive reading through Memorial Day and the story of The Red Poppies. Pay attention to the cultural, visual and grammatical clues to understand the text. Read with me to the end and advance to a new level of your language today. Let's get started!

What is deductive reading and why does it work when learning a new language?

Deductive reading is reading that uses context clues to discover the meaning of a sentence or paragraph. In this case, instead of translating word for word, your mind learns to think in the target language. For example, if in the context of Remembrance Day you read:

"People wear red poppies on their lapels to honor the veterans".

Even if you don't know what it means "lapels" or "veterans"the clues help you. Here is an explanation:

• "Wear" (wear) + "red poppies" (red poppies) → something worn.
• "Honour" (honor) + memorial day context →. "veterans" should be "persons to honor"

Step by step: how to apply the deductive reading method

One of the most effective learning techniques for understanding the message in the second language is deductive reading. Follow these steps:

1. Identifies the general context of the topic

The Remembrance Day is today's theme, therefore, it is the first track first track we will use. Generally, these days commemorate the memory of the fallen and military history. The associated keywords are: respect, honor, remember, remember are usually: respect, honor, remember, do not forget, etc. This framework helps to anticipate the type of vocabulary you will encounter.

1. Search for familiar words

In the bilingual sentence:
"Lest we forget - N'oublions jamais".
If you recognize "forget" (forget) and "n'oublions" (let's not forget), you deduce that it is a sentence about memory.

Alternatives: We will remember/Se souvenir.

In this case, we would be turning the phrase in a positive way, the concept encloses the idea of: "We must always keep it in mind".

These phrases are mainly used in the context of the solemn commemoration. solemn commemoration.

1. Analyzes visual and cultural elements

When you see a red poppy (poppy/coquelicot) everywhere during November, you deduce that it is an important symbol, even if you don't yet know its historical significance.

On street posters as well as in newspapers and social networks, you will see these writings:

• Monument to the fallen: cenotaph/cénotaphe
• Peace agreement/ceasefire: armistice/armistice
• Wreath (offering): wreath/couronne
• Duty/service: duty/devoir
• Veteran/military who served: veteran/vétéran
• Sacrifice (loss of life): sacrifice/sacrifice
• Maple leaf (national symbol): maple leaf/feuille d'érable

The legend of The Red Poppies: apply deductive reading

They say that in the "battlefields of World War I, where only "devastated land" remained. "devastated landsuddenly began to grow "poppies -o "coquelicots in French, those showy poppies - or "coquelicots" in "bright red".. For the "soldiers"see "life blooming in the midst of destruction was a "ray of hope".. A "military doctorJohn McCrae, immortalized this moment in a poem that begins with: "In Flanders fields the poppies blow..." ("In Flanders fields the poppies blow...").

Today, when a Canadian puts on a "poppy on the "lapelit is as if he is carrying a piece of that story of resilience. It is their supportive way of practicing remembrance and saying. "We remember them".. This act of wearing the poppy is a tribute, a "silent promise". "silent promise from "never forgetting" their sacrifice. his sacrifice.

Did you manage to understand the story of The Red Poppies?

From deductive reading to adaptation to the Canadian environment

Deductive reading has an important didactic particularity to make any user understand the subject quickly. It does not work as a magical act, but rather leads the reader to think, remember previous words, even imagine or visualize scenes that awaken areas of the brain that help improve linguistic prediction. That's why it works!

At our language school, we use this technique as part of the strategies that lead students at any level to expand their reading comprehension skills and increase their vocabulary. When you understand the key words, you are no longer just a spectator of these traditions. Learning a language through iconic stories like these not only helps you memorize vocabulary, it also allows you to connect with Canadian culture and master the language from the very feel of the society.

Learn Languages with Planeta Immiland Education

At Planeta Immiland Educationwe are the first language school for immigration purposes in Canada. We offer English and French courses from beginner to advanced levels.

We are convinced that the best way to learn these two languages is through real contexts and stories that awaken the student's interest and curiosity, such as the anecdotes of the Day of Remembrance and many more. 

Our programs are based on the CLB (Canadian Language Benchmarks) standards of Canada's official framework, which assesses language proficiency, and are designed so that you not only learn grammar, but also understand and feel the culture that surrounds the language.

On our website: https://www.planeta-immiland-education.com/ you will be able to know the study methodology we apply in each level, the courses of English courses y French coursesthe conversation club and much more.

If you want to start learning with us, please take the free placement test and discover the course that corresponds to your current level.

I hope that on Remembrance Day in Canada will serve as a starting point to advance in the language and lead you to discover new levels.

Thanks for reading, see you in the next blog!

With love,

Planeta Immiland Education