Daniela Hartmann (Birmingham) and Martin Faulkner (Mainz) p.127-159
2002 Issue 1
Abstract
This article sets out to introduce and promote a new topic for the German as a foreign language classroom. It will be argued that taboos – generally considered the subject most likely to create an act of collaborative silence in the (foreign language class) room – actually prove to be an enormous incentive to speak (in the foreign language). The authors’ intention is not only to present a new type of seminar (its structure, as well as material and teaching methods used) as developed for the German Subject Group at Aston University, Birmingham, but also to open a discussion on whether or not it is about time to bring in more new and somewhat radical approaches. Following Horst Stern who said, “Ich weigere mich, mit drei Pünktchen in der Stimme über Tabus hinwegzugehen,” the authors will show how this can be accomplished whilst still maintaining academic standards, thus inviting the reader to boldly go with them where no one has gone before!