Raising Intercultural Consciousness through Literary Dialogue in a Second Language Classroom

Abstract

Scholars have long discussed the use of literature in (inter)cultural awareness raising/teaching in foreign language teaching. This MA thesis presents a study conducted in two beginning German language classes, in which literary texts thematizing minority perspectives were implemented in order to raise students’ intercultural awareness. The classroom-based study combines literary reading, digital social media, and peer dialogue. Data obtained from learners’ comments on google documents from classroom discussions, show evidence of learners’ emergent intercultural awareness, and an analysis of student response surveys indicate that learners had a positive experience working collaboratively. This study therefore demonstrates that literary texts can be used in beginner classes in foreign language classrooms to teach intercultural awareness.