Intercultural Learning at Primary Level

An Evaluation of the Schoolbook 'Bumblebee' and the guidelines for English in NRW

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Study Aids, ESL, Foreign Languages
Cover of the book Intercultural Learning at Primary Level by Sebastian Heinrichs, GRIN Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Sebastian Heinrichs ISBN: 9783638679176
Publisher: GRIN Publishing Publication: June 4, 2007
Imprint: GRIN Publishing Language: English
Author: Sebastian Heinrichs
ISBN: 9783638679176
Publisher: GRIN Publishing
Publication: June 4, 2007
Imprint: GRIN Publishing
Language: English

Seminar paper from the year 2005 in the subject English - Pedagogy, Didactics, Literature Studies, grade: 2,3, Bielefeld University, 4 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: The discussion about aims, content and methods of foreign language lessons resulted in demands for a broader integration of intercultural learning. Jörg Roche, who dedicated one chapter of his book Interkulturelle Sprachdidaktik: Eine Einführung to the role of intercultural language didactics in the teaching and learning of foreign languages, makes specific suggestions about restructuring the traditional concepts of foreign language lessons. According to him, the best learning success is achieved when intercultural learning and foreign language teaching are integrated. He explains conclusively that language and culture are inseparably bound to one another. Roche also warns not to use isolated or poorly researched pieces of cultural information, since this would lead to a falsified image of the target culture and prevent the learners from authentic language use. Roche's appeal illustrates the growing need of intercultural communication. Young pupils in Germany do not only live in a country that maintains contact with cultures all over the world, but they are also part of a multicultural society that is mirrored by the school classes. Foreign language lessons offer the opportunity to help them deal with it and prepare them for living in a multicultural society. After the introduction of English as a foreign language as an obligatory school subject in the classes 3 and 4 of the primary schools in 2003, it is now possible for the young learners in Germany to exhaust their enormous language learning potential more effectively. However, how they should be taught, and what exactly, is still discussed extensively. The new school subject made it necessary to develop a new curriculum and new school books, which were supposed to meet the needs of the young foreign language learners and the conditions of the guidelines. Considering the textbooks Bumblebee 3 and Bumblebee 4 (Schroedel 2003) as examples, this paper examines in how far the school books concur with the regulations concerning intercultural learning. Of course, school books do not solely represent what is taught in the lessons; the way the teachers uses them and what they teach additionally must also be regarded for that. Yet, the books play a central role in the lessons. Tasks, content and especially the illustrations have much influence on how the lessons are perceived by the pupils. Furthermore, the pupils can take the books home where they can work autonomously.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Seminar paper from the year 2005 in the subject English - Pedagogy, Didactics, Literature Studies, grade: 2,3, Bielefeld University, 4 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: The discussion about aims, content and methods of foreign language lessons resulted in demands for a broader integration of intercultural learning. Jörg Roche, who dedicated one chapter of his book Interkulturelle Sprachdidaktik: Eine Einführung to the role of intercultural language didactics in the teaching and learning of foreign languages, makes specific suggestions about restructuring the traditional concepts of foreign language lessons. According to him, the best learning success is achieved when intercultural learning and foreign language teaching are integrated. He explains conclusively that language and culture are inseparably bound to one another. Roche also warns not to use isolated or poorly researched pieces of cultural information, since this would lead to a falsified image of the target culture and prevent the learners from authentic language use. Roche's appeal illustrates the growing need of intercultural communication. Young pupils in Germany do not only live in a country that maintains contact with cultures all over the world, but they are also part of a multicultural society that is mirrored by the school classes. Foreign language lessons offer the opportunity to help them deal with it and prepare them for living in a multicultural society. After the introduction of English as a foreign language as an obligatory school subject in the classes 3 and 4 of the primary schools in 2003, it is now possible for the young learners in Germany to exhaust their enormous language learning potential more effectively. However, how they should be taught, and what exactly, is still discussed extensively. The new school subject made it necessary to develop a new curriculum and new school books, which were supposed to meet the needs of the young foreign language learners and the conditions of the guidelines. Considering the textbooks Bumblebee 3 and Bumblebee 4 (Schroedel 2003) as examples, this paper examines in how far the school books concur with the regulations concerning intercultural learning. Of course, school books do not solely represent what is taught in the lessons; the way the teachers uses them and what they teach additionally must also be regarded for that. Yet, the books play a central role in the lessons. Tasks, content and especially the illustrations have much influence on how the lessons are perceived by the pupils. Furthermore, the pupils can take the books home where they can work autonomously.

More books from GRIN Publishing

Cover of the book Censorship in contemporary Russia by Sebastian Heinrichs
Cover of the book Ethical business in the global economy by Sebastian Heinrichs
Cover of the book Liberty clauses concerning deviation in charterparties - a concise overview by Sebastian Heinrichs
Cover of the book Wal-Mart's European Business Strategy by Sebastian Heinrichs
Cover of the book Einführung einer vollständig personalisierten Verhältniswahl by Sebastian Heinrichs
Cover of the book A 'new' and 'historical' theatre in Bertolt Brecht's 'Life of Galileo'? by Sebastian Heinrichs
Cover of the book HIV and AIDS in the workplace by Sebastian Heinrichs
Cover of the book International Branding - An Internationalization Approach on the Marketing Level by Sebastian Heinrichs
Cover of the book Cross-Cultural Competence by Sebastian Heinrichs
Cover of the book The Meaning of Mystery and Suspense in 'Jane Eyre' by Sebastian Heinrichs
Cover of the book The Importance of Speech and Humor in Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God by Sebastian Heinrichs
Cover of the book Tennessee Williams' 'A Streetcar Named Desire' - Contrasting the Play With the Movie from 1951 Directed by Elia Kazan by Sebastian Heinrichs
Cover of the book Customer Loyalty by Sebastian Heinrichs
Cover of the book Structure and Chaos: Binary Pairs in Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' by Sebastian Heinrichs
Cover of the book Employee satisfaction - A precondition for economical success of service companies? by Sebastian Heinrichs
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy