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The following article discusses the potentials of sites of memory of migration as a topic for teaching German as a foreign language, as they do not seem to have been thoroughly and systematically investigated or reflected upon so far. In the first part of the paper, the theoretical frames for combining the topic of migration with the concept of sites of memory are presented. In the second part, examples of ways of working with specific topics and media on sites of memory of migration in German as a foreign language classes are given and their possible potentials for supporting reflective cultural learning are examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the main aims of uniting Europe is to create a common European culture of remembrance. To achieve this, different transnational projects are carried out, especially in historical sciences, but increasingly also in other disciplines such as pedagogy. This paper shows a new solution in teaching German as a foreign language at an academic level using the didactics of culture. The lesson unit discussed in this paper was developed within a bilateral project New models of didactics of culture. Polish-German realms of memory during a workshop which had been conducted by students of four universities (two Polish and two German), in order to design lessons curriculums. This article discusses how history and foreign language can be taught within an intercultural lesson unit which focuses on area studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Looking for motivating concepts to stimulate integrated language and culture-related teaching and learning processes in the foreign language classroom, the vibrant concept of Cultural Memory is certainly an issue to pay attention to. It offers a variety of occasions for language and culture awareness training tightly connected with language learning, reaching far beyond traditional regional studies. Realms of memory, acting as products and markers of a complex cultural memory, can reveal to what extent (by whom, by which means, to what aims) cultural patterns and meanings are constructed, how they change or under which circumstances they survive long periods of time. Up-to-date foreign language didactics can make use of this in aiming at symbolic competence (Claire Kramsch). Understanding culture as an ongoing process of (de-and re- )construction, learners might be enabled to notice and (partly) participate in authentic discourses, going on in different languages. Realms of memory, manifesting themselves per definition e.g. as texts, pictures, sounds, buildings, historic or mythic persons, objects, terms or whole cultural concepts, own a considerable linguistic and cultural potential. This clearly points at content and process oriented learning processes involving the foreign language as a natural means of exploration. The article discusses criteria which might help to choose realms of memory suitable for the foreign language classroom and takes a look at two genuinely "German-speaking" examples in the field of sport (Córdoba 1978) and everyday objects (Schweizermesser). They can illustrate the wide range of didactic possibilities and stimulating methods which arise from authentic and vivid parts of a widely understood culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]