The destrangement in relation to the German language in the foreign language learning process: approximation to the "other" under the perspective of the Intercultural Competence

Abstract

This article aims to approach, under a critical perspective, images about German language and their speakers, presented by Brazilian university students interested in or engaged in learning this language in the first stage of studies. The purpose is to deal with evidences of the occurrence of stereotypical images and to discuss their implications in/for the teaching-learning process, aiming with this study to show the importance of considering and establishing as a relevant goal in the teaching of German, the necessity of a "destrangement" route or period, through a methodological approach aimed at helping the students in the process of developing intercultural competence. Such discussions are founded in theoretical conceptions related to the notions of "other" and "self", intercultural competence, intercultural approach, as well as in results obtained through an investigation conducted within the field of foreign language (German) learning.