Von Komplimenten, ihren Erwiderungen und Gefühlen sozialer Verbundenheit: Ein Beispiel zur Integration von Sprechakten im DaF-Unterricht
On Compliments, Good Vibes and Solidarity: An Example of Integrating Speech Acts into German Language Teaching

Summary/Abstract: Compliments and compliment responses are social actions that reflect norms of politeness and solidarity among speakers. These compliment/responses are negotiated among interactants who employ varying response strategies in different language/culture environments. A lack of knowledge about preferred strategies may cause cultural misunderstandings and feelings of disconnectedness. This article provides a concrete plan for implementing a lesson on compliment/responses in advanced beginning German language courses. The lesson plan is informed by conversation analytical research and pursues a teaching approach that nurtures interactional competence for enabling students to utilize culturally appropriate response strategies to actively engage with speakers of the target culture, creating positive feelings of appreciation and social harmony.

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