Engage in intercultural interactions, describing aspects of language and culture that are unfamiliar or uncomfortable, and discussing own reactions and adjustments
Elaborations
observing how language use reflects politeness and the closeness of social relationships, such as different levels of formality through the use of du/ihr/Sie, and familiarity with friends, for example, nicknames (Spitznamen) and various uses of diminutives (-chen, -lein)
noticing the use of and evaluating whether or not to adopt German expressions such as exclamations (Ach so!Echt!), and gestures such as indicating approval with ‘thumbs up’ (comparing with the use of one thumb to indicate the number ‘one’) and ‘applauding’ by rapping knuckles on the table
reflecting on how own cultural etiquette and behaviour such as gestures affect interactions and may be interpreted, for example, noticing similarities and differences in body language when interacting with people from German-speaking countries (shrugging, nodding one’s head)
noticing own reaction (level of comfort/discomfort) to different cultural practices such as asking Wie geht’s? and not expecting a detailed response about health and current medical conditions
recognising aspects of own language use that reflect own cultural perspective and experiences, for example, references to climate and environment, animals, activities and routines such as chores, and celebrations and events
