German-speaking feature movies as a media of intercultural sensibilization while teaching German as a technical language foccused on tourism
Abstrakt
The article ilustrates by means of a specific example how feature film can be used as a medium making people aware of cultural differences in courses of German as a technical langugage foccused on tourism. The following ideas are based on the dilemma of tourism employees who are permanently confronted with the challenge of meeting (as to language and culture) foreign guests' expectations on the one hand, and of presenting an authentic view of the own culture on the other hand.
Following the "Four Cultures Model" by Marion Thiem, a teaching unit will be presented, where the feature film (man spricht Deutsch) is analysed regarding "culture of the region of origin", "holiday culture", "service culture" and "culture of the region of destination" as experienced by tourists staying abroad. Last not least transfer exercises will be suggested that might help students to use their knowledge about intercultural diffenrences in their future professional practice.