Abstract: The article describes experiences in teaching the sensitive topic of the industrial extermination of European Jews during World War II (the Holocaust) in the BA German programme at Universiti Putra Malaysia. The topic was covered in a history course and supported by the use of international feature films. Based on a summary of Malaysia-Israel relations, the relevance of the topic in the teaching of German as a foreign language is highlighted, and the teaching objectives, pedagogical approach and results of a film project are presented. The article aims to answer the questions of how Malaysian students perceived history films on the Holocaust and whether it was possible to achieve a more differentiated view of the Holocaust, at least among some students. As part of a comprehensive history film project on the Second World War, three history films dealing with the persecution and extermination of European Jews were screened and analysed in class. The film 'The Grey Zone' (USA, 2001) was selected for this article and students' responses and attitudes to challenging questions, provided as qualitative data, are discussed. Three historical literacies – Content Knowledge, Historical Empathy/Perspective Recognition and Narrative Analysis ( Metzger 2007) – provided the theoretical framework for the history film project.

Abstract History films personalize, dramatize and emotionalize historical events and characters. They revive the past by exemplifying it in the present, engage ongoing discourses of history and as a result have proven to be the most influential medium in conveying history to large audiences. History films are regarded as an attractive, motivating and efficient (supplementary) teaching and learning medium in history as well as in foreign language classes. As part of the course “Historical Survey of Germany” (BA German-programme at University Putra Malaysia) history film projects on important periods and events in German history were conducted. The article introduces a film project on World War II and describes the pedagogical approach which aims to develop three core competencies of historical understanding - Content Knowledge, Historical Empathy/Perspective Recognition and Narrative Analysis. It discusses selected general findings provided as qualitative data in group and individual assignments. While the responses to questions related to Content Knowledge and Narrative Analysis show that students achieved higher competency levels, the participants showed shortcomings in the rational examination of historical characters, their perspectives and motivations for their actions. Time, practice and guidance can be identified as key factors in developing historical literacy competencies further.

Abstract Feature films in foreign-language education are a modern, efficient, motivating, stimulating and engaging medium for conveying and experiencing authentic language in real communication situations, for teaching target-oriented, country-specific cultural information as well as for developing intercultural awareness and communication skills. The paper examines the extent to which the use of feature film is actually implemented in L3 German classrooms in Malaysia. Based on two empirical studies conducted via standardized questionnaires and interviews with 43 teachers and 168 learners of German as a Foreign Language, the aim was to examine the importance of film material as a didactic instrument in German language programs and to analyze the motifs and didactic goals for implementing films. Students were interviewed about their media attitudes, their film viewing habits and genre preferences as well as about their perception of aspects of German culture in feature films. Although Malaysian learners of the German language show a great interest in Germany, its people, language, society and culture, teachers - for a variety of reasons but foremost caused by a lack of knowledge about the adequate implementation of feature films - have provided only few “magical moments” in L3 German classrooms thus far.

Zusammenfassung Spielfilme als dominante Ausdrucksform kultureller Identität sind ein modernes, motivierendes, emotional ansprechendes und effizientes (ergänzendes) Lehr- und Lernmedium im Sprachunterricht, dass die Lernenden in „realistisch wirkende Kommunikation“ und aktuelle Landeskunde einführt sowie interkulturelle kommunikative Kompetenz entwickelt. Das Interesse der Deutschlernenden an Spielfilmen ist groß und vor allem auf das Erleben authentischer Sprache in realen Situationen, auf den Alltag und die zwischenmenschlichen Beziehungen in deutschsprachigen Ländern ausgerichtet. In der Mehrzahl der außeruniversitären DaF-Programme in Malaysia ist das Medium Film trotz aller theoretischen Einsichten seitens der Lehrenden noch immer unterrepräsentiert und beschränkt sich zumeist auf reine Unterhaltung bzw. auf die Vermittlung von landeskundlichen Aspekten. Die Ursachen liegen in der fehlenden Aus- und Fortbildung im Bereich Filmarbeit im Fremdsprachenunterricht und der sich daraus ergebenden Unsicherheit der Lehrkräfte bei der zielgerichteten Implementierung filmischer Textsorten im Unterricht. Hinzu kommen ein stark prüfungszentrierter, traditionell grammatikorientierter Unterricht sowie Zeitmangel, aber auch das Desinteresse vieler Lehrender an der aufwändigen didaktisch-methodischen Vorentlastung und Nachbereitung einer Filmvorführung. Lediglich in den BA-German Programmen werden Filme in verschiedenen Kursen zur Vermittlung von Sprache, Landeskunde, Geschichte, Literatur, Kunst und zum fremd- und eigenkulturellen Vergleich eingesetzt. Am German-Malaysian-Institute dienen deutsche Spielfilme vor allem der interkulturellen Vorbereitung künftiger Studierender ingenieurswissenschaftlicher Programme an deutschen Fachhochschulen.