Nearly all German textbooks currently used in the USA either entirely fail to mention Austria, or else portray it by means of myths, cliches (Apfelstrudel, Sachertorte, Gemuetlichkeit), and often with outright untruths. The American student gets a picture of Austria as an "underdeveloped Disneyland of Europe". (WGA)

Discusses the effects of perpetuating national stereotypes in FL instruction and offers some up-to-date approaches to teaching cultural background not based on cliches. (KM)

Two studies examined the stereotypes held by University of Arizona students of German toward Germany and Germans, finding that the majority of students held positive, though simplistic, views of German society and culture. German language proficiency was also found to have an effect on the stereotypical imagery conveyed by the students. (32…

The new emphasis on combining language and culture teaching finds all teachers busy updating and improving their materials. However, feedback on how successful they are in their attempts is limited. Revealing insights into the image of Germany held by high school students can be gained from the 1974 and 1975 essays, written by applicants for the…