Grammatisches Wissen, Fremdsprachenunterricht und Lehrwerke – Zur Qualität von Grammatikübungen in zwei kroatischen DaF-Lehrwerken

Abstract

The present paper looks into an important aspect of textbooks for teaching German as a for-eign language: grammar exercises. The author analyses two Croatian textbooks for teaching German at primary school level: Applaus! 7 and Flink mit Deutsch 4. The first part investigates the relationship between explicit and implicit knowledge and shows that explicit knowledge has an important role in the development of grammar competence. Consequently, grammar exercises used for explicit grammar teaching must be incorporated into textbooks. The author elaborates on what types of grammar exercises are needed and how these exercises should be created so that learners can benefit from them. In addition, the first part comments on the role of chunks in the development of grammar competence. Finally, the author examines the role of receptive and productive skills in connection with grammar teach-ing. The second part addresses the textbook analysis in general. It refers to the previous research conducted in the field as well as to the criteria that can be drawn upon when describing the quality of teaching materials. In the third part, the results of the analysis of the two Croatian textbooks are presented. Both quantitative and qualitative data are commented on. This part also includes some information regarding the Croatian teaching situation so that potential readers not acquainted with it can better understand comments and suggestions provided by the author. On one side, the paper points to the strengths and weaknesses of the teaching materials in question. On the other side, the author provides some general comments on what a good text-book should contain in order to help foreign language learners develop their grammar compe-tence.