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Reading Johanna Spyri's Heidi in the Beginning German Language Classroom
Author(s) -
Baumgartner Karin
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
die unterrichtspraxis/teaching german
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1756-1221
pISSN - 0042-062X
DOI - 10.1111/tger.12048
Subject(s) - german , reading (process) , curriculum , literacy , linguistics , pedagogy , computer science , sociology , philosophy
The article explores the benefits of extensive reading in the beginning German language classroom. Employing a simplified version of Johanna Spyri's novel Heidi , the article brings together research on extensive reading and cultural literacy in a unit dedicated to the incorporation of Switzerland into the German language curriculum. The novel is used as a companion piece to the introductory textbooks common at the beginning level and helps develop linguistic skills at that level. Assigning Heidi as part of the German literary canon allows instructors to explore universal themes that align well with the AP curriculum, introduce beginning students to linguistic diversity in the German‐speaking areas of Europe, teach literary analysis, and provide students with a pleasurable extended reading experience.