History films personalize, dramatize and emotionalize historical events and characters. They revive the past by exemplifying it in the present, engage ongoing discourses of history and as a result have proven to be the most influential medium in conveying history to large audiences. History films are regarded as an attractive, motivating and efficient (supplementary) teaching and learning medium in history as well as in foreign language classes. As part of the course “Historical Survey of Germany” (BA German-programme at University Putra Malaysia) history film projects on important periods and events in German history were conducted. The article introduces a film project on World War II and describes the pedagogical approach which aims to develop three core competencies of historical understanding – Content Knowledge, Historical Empathy/Perspective Recognition and Narrative Analysis. It discusses selected general findings provided as qualitative data in group and individual assignments. While the responses to questions related to Content Knowledge and Narrative Analysis show that students achieved higher competency levels, the participants showed shortcomings in the rational examination of historical characters, their perspectives and motivations for their actions. Time, practice and guidance can be identified as key factors in developing historical literacy competencies further.

Objective - An ongoing tracer study project – January 2014 to October 2015 – aims to provide more comprehensive data on the professional development of BA German graduates from UPM. Methodology/Technique - The group of 2008 graduates has been chosen to provide initial data via in-depth interviews, questionnaires and social med1ia groups, which allowed the conclusion that studying BA German at UPM combined with a business-related minor subject is a proven formula for a successful and quick entry into the Malaysian job market. Findings - The conceptual framework will discuss on the four major components of sustainable development, element of preservation management for cultural institution, issues and challenges faced on preservation of archival heritage. Novelty - The comprehensive study on the "Future Direction of the Language Education in Malaysia" (2010) concluded that graduates of language majors from Malaysian universities do not have any problem in securing employment either in the public or the private sector. A survey related to the professional development of former Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages (German)-students confirmed that the majority of graduates from University Putra Malaysia found employment in the corporate or education sector shortly after finishing their studies. Type of Paper: Review Keywords : 2008 Graduates; BA German Curriculum; BA German Programme; Malaysia Job Market; Professional Development of UPM Graduates; Tracer Study; UPM

Feature films in foreign-language education are a modern, efficient, motivating, stimulating and engaging medium for conveying and experiencing authentic language in real communication situations, for teaching target-oriented, country-specific cultural information as well as for developing intercultural awareness and communication skills. The paper examines the extent to which the use of feature film is actually implemented in L3 German classrooms in Malaysia. Based on two empirical studies conducted via standardized questionnaires and interviews with 43 teachers and 168 learners of German as a Foreign Language, the aim was to examine the importance of film material as a didactic instrument in German language programs and to analyze the motifs and didactic goals for implementing films. Students were interviewed about their media attitudes, their film viewing habits and genre preferences as well as about their perception of aspects of German culture in feature films. Although Malaysian learners of the German language show a great interest in Germany, its people, language, society and culture, teachers -for a variety of reasons but foremost caused by a lack of knowledge about the adequate implementation of feature films -have provided only few "magical moments" in L3 German classrooms thus far.