This article sets out to describe some of the most recent trends in methods of teaching German as a foreign language. After a few general remarks regarding the concept of method, the author focuses on that radical change of perspective which began with the communicative approach, the effect of which is still felt. The communicative approach places the learner and the learning process at the centre of research on Language teaching, and much of the article deals with learner-oriented teaching and learner autonomy, two of the key concepts in communicative teaching.
There is also some discussion of three subjects much debated in recent times: how to plan a specifically regional approach, intercultural communication, and plurilinguism. These too are examples of phenomena deriving from the communicative approach, each of which, in its own different way, shows that it is possible to 'venture beyond borders'. For this reason they are destined to play a fundamental role in a United Europe.
