Paper short abstract:

This presentation introduces a course based on the principles of Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) targeting advanced learners of Japanese at Munich University and combining language instruction with a critical approach to the history of National Socialism.

Paper long abstract:

This presentation introduces a course based on the principles of Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) held at Munich University in winter term 2016/17. Targeting advanced learners of Japanese I developed classes that combined language instruction with a critical approach to the history of National Socialism, particularly focusing on Munich's local history.

When interacting with speakers of Japanese in a global context, learners will often find themselves in situations that require them to talk about their own country by providing factual information or revealing their personal views on political and social issues.

However, as Japanese language classes tend to focus on Japan-related content, even advanced learners will usually find it very difficult to accurately express their views on more complex topics related to their country's history and society. The course therefore aimed at:

1. Enabling students to express their knowledge and opinions on topics related to the history of National Socialism in the target language and

2. Enabling students to adopt multiple perspectives in engaging with their country's history.

Classes met weekly for 90 minutes per session (15 weeks). Learning activities were structured along three steps:

3. Reviewing the major historical events from 1918 to 1946 and introducing the vocabulary and sentence patterns necessary to discuss these events in Japanese (2 weeks)

4. Gathering information at the Munich Documentation Center for the History of National Socialism

5. Individual and group presentations on various topics in Japanese. Japanese exchange students were invited to join these sessions and actively participated in the discussions following the presentations.

The course fostered student's critical awareness of National Socialism as part of Munich's local history and reached beyond the goals of traditional language instruction. This can be seen as a contribution to citizenship education in an international context.