Introducing Landeskunde through multimedia

Abstract

In the first part of our dissertation, we define the term Landeskunde: its meaning, aims and role in the teaching of a foreign language. We underline not only the importance of Landeskunde as such but also the fact that, through the learning of Landeskunde, learners can effectively improve their language acquisition in many different ways. We then look at the teaching aids that can assist the language teacher when teaching Landeskunde. Chapter 2 emphasises the meaning of Multimedia and its importance in today's world. We investigate various aspects, advantages and disadvantages of Multimedia and define what is Computer Assisted Language Learning. We then move on to integrate Multimedia in the teaching of Landeskunde as part of the teaching of German as a foreign language, providing the system designs of our software package, sample lesson plans, supportive material and handouts. Guidelines to the users are presented in Chapter 4. In this chapter we illustrate the content of the CD software emphasising its main-menu and sub-menus, its screens and its navigation tools. As part of our research we observed teachers and students exploring and working with our software package. Their evaluation and comments helped us to analyse the effectiveness of the interactivity, graphics, sound and content of the package. We report about our findings in Chapter 5. Our analysis of the questionnaires and interviews conducted with different teachers and students of German sustain our point of view that Landeskunde should be deeply rooted in the process of foreign language teaching/acquisition. Furthermore we conclude that Landeskunde taught through Multimedia is indeed a most effective method in teaching German as a foreign language.