Picturing German: Teaching Language and Literature through Visual Art

This article examines the importance of visual culture with regard to its pedagogical applications in the German language classroom. I begin by outlining the benefits and concerns associated with making visual art a part of the curriculum. Next, practical ideas are presented for using paintings in beginning, intermediate, and advanced courses. From the acquisition of basic vocabulary, to a springboard for descriptive writing, to the illustration of literary and cultural movements such as Classicism, Romanticism, or Expressionism, visual art can be employed on all levels of instruction to enrich both language acquisition and cultural competency. Perhaps most significantly, visual art can be used to inspire students to take a closer look at literature, providing access to verbal art ranging from prose to drama to poetry. The immediacy of images engages interest in a way that encourages critical thinking and an understanding of how language, literature, and culture are inextricably connected.