Leveraging German Pop Culture for Language Acquisition: A Media-Based Approach to Teaching German as a Foreign Language

Abstract

This study explores the integration of German pop culture, including music, television, and social media, into language acquisition to enhance engagement and linguistic proficiency among learners of German as a foreign language. The research involved a diverse group of intermediate to advanced learners and utilized a range of pop culture materials, such as the TV series Dark, music by Rammstein, and content from German social media influencers. Data collection included pre- and post-lesson tests, student feedback, and observational notes. The results indicated a significant increase in student engagement, vocabulary retention, and listening comprehension when compared to traditional textbook-based lessons. The study concludes that leveraging German pop culture not only improves language acquisition but also fosters a deeper cultural understanding, offering an effective strategy for modern language instruction.