Elena Schäfer

The Mystery Method allows for a varied French language teaching experience. As a starting point, learners receive an exciting riddle question, embedded in a thematic context suitable for secondary education level 1. They are provided with brief information on cards, which they should organize meaningfully and relate to one another. With the help of these cards, they then visualize and present their findings on a poster. The Mystery Method particularly promotes cooperative work in groups, as well as interconnected thinking and the deepening of skills in speaking and intercultural or transcultural learning. The use of the provided mysteries is especially suitable for introducing new topics that can be explored further, both in face-to-face and distance learning. Language beginners gain insight into the mystery of Mont Blanc, linguistic peculiarities in La Réunion, and the curious data transmission of the French military. There is also something to puzzle over regarding the culture of French-speaking comics, the Camargue, and the youth language Verlan.