Due to Harry Potter literature and reading have become popular again. In this seminar we will take a look at ways of how literature and media can appeal at everybody’s imagination and fascination and foster intercultural understanding. Literature is authentic material. On the one hand that means literary works can offer the foreign reader a form of understanding of the way life of the country, its culture and social background. On the other hand, it simply means that most works of literature are not fashioned for the specific purpose of teaching a language.

This course will focus on the intercultural aspects of literature, but also on fostering skills with Harry Potter’s help. Thus it will introduce methods, materials and media that can be used to present literature to maintain the learner's interest and involvement. Therefore, conventional approaches to literature will be complemented by new teaching approaches and learner-centred activities and so diversify the repertoire of classroom procedures.