UCL - German as a foreign language (GFL) seminar : cultural aspects

[GERM2911]

[15h] 5 credits

This two-yearly course is taught in 2008-2009, 2010-2011,...

Teacher(s):

Language: D

Level: Second

Aims
Main themes
Content and teaching methods
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Aims

Make the students and future teachers aware of the extent to which culture is an integrated part of teaching German as a foreign language.
By the end of the course, the student teacher will be able to :
grasp the major role played by culture in foreign language learning and teaching;
create didactic sequences integrating cultural elements (be they high or low culture related);
critically assess sequences produced by themselves or their fellow students.

Main themes

Starting with a theoretical discussion on the aims of this education system, the seminar addresses concrete possibilities for the teaching of modern languages in the secondary education system. A more practical part is dedicated to didactic tools fitted to the proposed teaching methodology.

Content and teaching methods

Theoretical part based on the reading scientific articles in the field : what is culture ? should we teach culture ? what exactly should we teach ? how can we address cultural elements in a communicative type of teaching? etc.).

Creation, presentation and critical analysis of didactic sessions and sequences.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Assessment:
Based on the oral presentation, participation in the discussions and the final essay based on the oral presentation but reworked and enriched thanks to discussions during the seminar.

Course materials:
Reader.