German as a Foreign Language: Kassel University

The Master's programme concentrates on the theory and practice of teaching and learning German as a foreign language.

The first half of the programme concentrates on obligatory studies in

• second language acquisition
• methods of foreign language teaching and learning
• reference studies in German linguistics, literature and culture under didactic perspectives
• introduction to methods of research and scientific work

The second half of the programme serves to concentrate on indepth studies of the student's own choice (e.g. Master's thesis preparation).

One of the essentials of the Master's programme is the obligatory teaching practice phase which is prepared, guided and evaluated in accompanying seminars.

Special facilities for students of German as a foreign language are provided in the "Lernwerkstatt GFL" in the Department of German (reference books; teaching materials; PC).

For further information:

• http://www.uni-kassel.de/fb9/daf/lernwerkstatt.htm

German as a foreign language at the University of Kassel has established many connections to other universities worldwide (27 partnerships e.g. in the "Quality network German as a Foreign Language" which which concentrates on in curriculum research and materials development).

Course Objectives

• Competence in teaching GFL;
• Competence in teacher training,
• Competence in curriculum and textbook design;
• Application of New Media to teaching/learning Modern Languages;
• Innovative ways of teaching/learning foreign languages;
• Competence in empirical methods of Second Language Research;
• Competence in independent work.