German as a foreign/second language
Work and research in the area of German as a foreign/second language are concerned with questions regarding the development of linguistic, communicative and socio-cultural competences, which are gaining in importance – both for the individual as well as for society - in the context of increasing mobility and migration.
We would like to make it possible for people to participate in diverse ways in social life and to act independently. Knowledge of the local language helps to increase opportunities for the individual in private, public and career terms and, in addition, opens up access to training and (further) education.
Research in the area of foreign and second-language didactics is of great importance here. We take up applied linguistics theories and develop the results of empirical research. We then use these to evolve and evaluate new, differentiated language development concepts.
Research
The main areas of our research concern the development and evaluation of second-language- teaching didactic concepts to promote literacy in adult education/vocational training. The development and investigation of concepts addressing specific needs in German as a foreign/second language are important here, particularly in the analysis of areas relevant to integration and society, such as health, the environment, etc. Another focus is the exploration and conception of interculturally sensitive, simple (official) language for migrants.
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Literacy for Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship education and competencies for entrepreneurship have received increasing attention at various levels of education in the last decade and have become major fields of interdisciplinary research (Fayolle, 2007 & 2010; Weber et al., 2014 for overviews). In the German speaking countries researchers have ...
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Integrated Reading and Writing Support in Vocational Education and Training
For a majority of students in vocational education and training schools, and in particular for those with a migration background, reading and writing are complex cognitive and linguistic challenges that are not always mastered successfully. However, reading and writing skills are not only important requirements for ...
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COST Action Strengthening Europeans' capabilities by establishing the European literacy network
Capabilities are not only abilities that reside inside humans, but they also comprise the political, social, and economic environment. Literacy is a capability whose fulcrum is far away from the individual, depending crucially on societal forces that can hinder or promote human development. The efficiency of this ...
Publications
We publish our research findings in scientific publications and presentations. You will find details of these in our publications list.
Teaching
The results of the work and research areas in German as a foreign/second language are applied in language and communications teaching in other Schools, and also in the BA in Applied Languages, in the context of research-led teaching. Furthermore, there is close cooperation with the DaF (German as a foreign language) centre of the LCC.
The following are some of our key areas of activity:
- German language competence for incoming students (BA in Applied Languages)
- Language teaching: Introduction to German as a foreign language (BA in Applied Languages)
- Advanced writing course in German as a foreign/second language (DaF/Daz) at the DaF centre
- Language Competence in a Foreign Language l for foreign-language students (BA in Applied Languages)
- Text Production l and ll in German as a first language (BA in Applied Languages)
Continuing education
Work and research in German as a foreign/second language (DaF/Daz) also include the conception, implementation and evaluation of the following continuing education courses and workshops:
- DAS Lehrer/in Deutsch als Fremd- und Zweitsprache für Erwachsene
- CAS DaF/DaZ Sprachförderung für Erwachsene
- CAS DaF/DaZ im Integrationskontext Schweiz
- DaF/DaZ Workshops
Services
Work and research in German as a foreign/second language (DaF/Daz) include cooperation with various authorities and institutions and offer the following areas of expertise:
- The Swiss National Umbrella Organisation for Adult Education (SVEB): A project on training and continuing education for language course instructors in the integration field
- At the fide (German, French and Italian in Switzerland – learn, teach, appraise) office: Participation in the fide expert pool
- The Swiss National Umbrella Organisation for Adult Education (SVEB): National framework concept project for training and continuing education for language course instructors in the field of basic skills
- Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (SFIVET): Continuing education for general vocational education (ABU) instructors
- Various vocational schools: Continuing education for general vocational education (ABU) instructors
- City and cantonal integration offices: Expertise in submission procedures.