Cultural resource directory with activities : a model based on the German-speaking influences in East Tennessee

This study investigates the existence of cultural resources of German-speaking origin in local¹ East Tennessee². It provides a directory of identified regional resources and a list of activities for selected resources. A review of the literature suggests a need for such a catalog, revealing the following about cultural resource directories (CRD's), German study, and cultural instruction: 1) CRD's vary in types of resources, categories, and activities; 2) few CRD's are based on local cultural heritage; 3) German enrollment continues to dwindle; 4) students prefer culture to language study; 5) culture is neglected in language study; and 6) new approaches to teaching culture must be adopted in order to reverse German enrollment declines. The review also indicates that previous efforts in collecting data for CRD's utilized letters and questionnaires soliciting the help of educators in locating resources for several languages. Due to time constraints and the narrow focus of the research, this study bypassed questionnaires and commenced an immediate field search for resources. The data collecting methods included reviewing the author's heritage and book collection; visiting local libraries; searching the Internet for literature; employing telephone directories; interviewing local writers, descendants, historians, and professionals by phone and in person; receiving mail and fax documents from these individuals; and visiting cultural sites. The catalog groups the resources under headings and subheadings; the activities section crossreferences each activity to a resource in the directory. The results found a number of cultural resources of German-speaking origin in East Tennessee. Tapping into this heritage could supply a familiar and local connection to a foreign subject. Considering German enrollment trends, local cultural resources may offer one alternative to revitalizing German programs and renewing student interest in German.