German Film and Culture Day

Bangor University’s School of Modern Languages, in collaboration with Routes into Languages recently organised a German Film and Culture Day attended by A Level students and teachers from four schools in north Wales. The schools involved were Ysgol David Hughes, Menai Bridge, Ysgol Emrys ap Iwan, Abergele, Eirias High School, Colwyn Bay and Ysgol Dinas Brân, Llangollen.

The morning session consisted of workshops led by Dr Linda Shortt on the film Good Bye Lenin, one of the films included in the WJEC German A-level syllabus. This was an opportunity for the students, who had watched the film before coming to Bangor, to widen their understanding of the film and extend their German vocabulary.

The afternoon's cultural workshop, led by Dr Anna Saunders, examined the role of monuments in contemporary Germany, in particular those that relate to the Holocaust and to the GDR. Students then took part in an interactive workshop in which they examined a selection of case-studies, and designed their own monuments in remembrance of key events or personalities in recent German history. The final session of the day consisted of a presentation of their ideas by each of the groups.

Throughout the day, four German students from Bangor University, Rebecca Williams, Anita Chauhan, Gesine Heil, and Ffion Roberts, were available to assist with the workshops and talk about their experience of studying German and visiting Germany.

Feedback about the event was very positive and both teachers and students acknowledged the standard and relevance of the workshops. They highlighted the fascinating topics, and were impressed with the knowledge of both the tutors and the Bangor students. The event was described as a 'great experience' and 'interesting and very useful'. All the participants expressed an interest in attending a similar event in future.

Photos available here.

Publication date: 30 July 2012