Sprachpraxis

In the B.A. and B.Ed. programmes, each language module comprises two courses. As language learning is cumulative, our modules must be completed sequentially: each one helps you progress through the CEFR proficiency levels by building on the learning achieved in previous modules.

All bachelor students complete the same introductory module. Students pursuing teaching degrees for primary or vocational schools then proceed to separate intermediate modules (see descriptions below).

For more detailed descriptions of our courses’ objectives and content, we advise that you read the Fachspezifische Bestimmungen (FSB) for your degree when you begin your studies. You will find the FSB for B.A. programmes here and those for B.Ed. programmes here.

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Introductory English Language Module: for All Bachelor students

The topic for both courses in this module is British and American politics, institutions, and media. The entry level is CEFR B2, and by the end of the module, participants are expected to attain CEFR B2+/C1 proficiency.

•  The course Introduction to English Language Studies (IELS) builds students’ competencies in written and spoken forms of academic discourse, with a focus on understanding usage through authentic materials such as quality journalism and scholarly texts. Students are introduced to a wide range of language-learning resources, such as monolingual and etymological dictionaries, phrasebanks, and the treasure trove that is the thesaurus. We also explore college writing centres and AI-based language tools. Finding just the right words – in the right style and register – is a process that will continue throughout your studies and beyond. Key to this process is effective self-study habits, so in this course we share strategies for autonomous language learning.

• Oral Performance and Study Skills (OPS) focuses on listening and speaking skills, helping participants build the fluency and confidence to speak in front of an audience and contribute to discussions. A core aim of the course is to empower students to give effective academic presentations. In addition, participants enhance their pronunciation by mastering the phoneme inventory for Southern British English (SBE) and North American English (NAE) while also exploring the rich diversity of accents across regions and speaker demographics in the US and the UK.

• Grammar Revision Course: Elective (Wahlbereich or Freier Studienanteil) Course for All Bachelor Students Enrolled in a Module 1 Course
  This elective course provides additional support to students of the Introductory English Language Module by helping them brush up on their English grammar. Taking a practical approach, the course aims not only to improve students’ grammatical accuracy when speaking and writing English in academic contexts, but also to enable participants – particularly future teachers – to explain key grammar points. The main topics covered are the tenses and aspects; conditionals; passives; relative clauses; patterns after verbs; and modality.

 

Intermediate Academic Discourse Module: for B.A. Students and B.Ed. Students of English for Secondary-Level Teaching (Lehramt für die Sekundarstufe I und II – LASek; Lehramt für Sonderpädagogik mit der Profilbildung Sekundarstufe – LAS-Sek)

The topic for both courses in this module is legacies of empire. The courses explore aspects of colonisation, decolonisation, slavery, and abolition across the English-speaking world, with its manifold colonial legacies in contemporary culture. We examine questions of equity, justice, diversity, representation, restitution, resistance, and repatriation of artworks, along with the inclusive language needed in such debates. By the end of the module, participants are expected to attain CEFR level C1/C1+ proficiency.

•  The course Text Production consolidates and expands the academic writing skills established in IELS, with a focus on the language of argument. This includes writing clear, robust thesis statements; supporting claims with evidence and examples; and maintaining cohesion by signposting effectively.
• Text and Response develops advanced academic reading skills, with an emphasis on close reading, annotation, and vocabulary-building for study and research purposes.

 

Advanced Academic Discourse Module: for B.A. Students and B.Ed. Students of English for Secondary-Level Teaching (Lehramt für die Sekundarstufe I und II – LASek; Lehramt für Sonderpädagogik mit der Profilbildung Sekundarstufe – LAS-Sek) 

The topic for both courses in this module is history and ethics. Within this broad thematic scope, complex, divisive issues are explored on the level of advanced academic discourse. The history of democratic representation and universal suffrage; questions of gender, class, and race; the ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence; and our civic responsibilities as global citizens in the context of the climate crisis are just a few examples. By the end of the module, participants are expected to attain CEFR level C2 proficiency for academic writing and speaking purposes.

• The course Advanced Style explores a range of writing styles and text genres, from reflective writing to academic blogs, in order to help participants find their own individual writing style for academic purposes. In addition, students develop effective editing and proofreading techniques.
• Advanced Integrated Skills enables students to participate effectively in debates, for example by presenting convincing arguments, refuting counterarguments, and speaking extemporaneously with confidence.

 

English Language Skills (Grundschule): Intermediate English Language Module for B.Ed. Students of English for Primary-Level Teaching (Lehramt an Grundschulen – LAGS; Lehramt für Sonderpädagogik mit der Profilbildung Grundschule – LAS-G)

In the two courses of this module, students in the LAGS and LAS-G programmes consolidate their language competencies at CEFR level C1 by engaging with scholarly, pedagogical, and sociopolitical debates relevant to primary school education. These debates are considered within the context of regional studies, enabling students to expand their cultural knowledge of a broad spectrum of English-speaking countries and develop their intercultural competence. The module also fosters students’ awareness of linguistic heterogeneity and helps them hone their language learning skills using quality language resources.

• In Classroom Contexts A, participants enhance their vocabulary and style by exploring a range of text types and media, writing responses, and giving presentations on sociocultural and pedagogical topics.
•  In Classroom Contexts B, students develop their academic reading and writing skills by working with scholarly texts on teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) and topics with practical implications for future teachers, such as the sociocultural conditions of school education.

 

Business and Vocational English: Intermediate English Language Module for B.Ed. Students of English for Vocational School Teaching (Lehramt an berufsbildenden Schulen – LAB)

Students in the LAB programme work towards CEFR C1 level in the two courses of this module. Both courses help students master the terminology related to their specialization (Berufsfach) as such terminology will be essential in their careers as vocational-school teachers. The two courses also aim to familiarize students with resources and strategies they can use for independent language learning. Topics covered include workplace communication and processes as well as complex themes such as business models and disruptive innovations.

• In Business/Vocational English A, students expand their knowledge of subject-specific terminology and explore various styles and registers used in workplace-related texts. Participants refine their speaking and writing skills, with an emphasis on vocabulary range, professional register, and overall correctness.
•  In Business/Vocational English B, students work on selected texts and tasks to familiarize themselves with the conventions of English for Academic Purposes. They expand and consolidate the speaking and writing skills established in the introductory module and in Business/Vocational English A.

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Modules in the M.A. Programmes
 

Advanced Academic Writing for Linguistics: for M.A. Students of English as a World Language (ENGAGE)

This module, which comprises one course, develops advanced English for academic purposes skills tailored for M.A. students of linguistics specializing in multilingual acquisition and the diversity of World Englishes. Students enhance their capacity to critically analyze academic texts, synthesize scholarly arguments, and produce research-based writing, demonstrating nuanced understanding of various linguistic subtopics. Emphasis is placed on mastering academic conventions such as structuring empirical research papers, articulating complex theoretical frameworks, accurately referencing multilingual sources, and crafting literature reviews. Students are expected to attain English language CEFR level C1+/C2 proficiency for academic purposes. 

English for Academic and Professional Purposes: for M.A. Students of British and American Cultures

Comprising one course designed for students whose English proficiency meets CEFR level C2, this module aims to enhance participants’ language skills for academic and professional purposes. On successful completion, students will be able to write clear, compelling texts that observe the stylistic conventions of a range of scholarly text genres, such as abstracts, book reviews, and conference reports. Students also explore techniques for sharing research with non-specialist readers in digital formats such as newsletters. In addition, participants develop the oral communication skills required in academic and professional settings such as oral examinations, job interviews, and conferences.

 
Modules in the M.Ed. Programmes

Practical Skills for English Language Teachers: for M.Ed. Students of English for Secondary-Level Teaching (Lehramt für die Sekundarstufe I und II – LASek; Lehramt für Sonderpädagogik mit der Profilbildung Sekundarstufe – LAS-Sek)

In this module, which comprises two courses, future secondary-level teachers consolidate their language skills at CEFR C2 level.

• In Practical Skills for Secondary Teaching, students plan and teach lesson simulations to practice skills that are essential for classroom discourse, such as adapting their language to the proficiency level of their learners. These lesson simulations reflect the diversity of the English-speaking countries, for example in terms of geographical, historical, political, social, and cultural issues. Further practice focuses on managing classroom interaction and giving clear spoken and written instructions. Students also work on assessing authentic materials and creating their own materials for English lessons.
• In the course The Diverse Classroom, students gain a deeper understanding of diversity and inclusion in school contexts.
   

Advanced Business/Vocational English: for M.Ed. Students of English for Vocational School Teaching (Lehramt an berufsbildenden Schulen – LAB)

In the two courses comprising this module, LAB students engage with current debates and developments relating to the future of work, such as the ethical concerns surrounding increased automation and the use of AI in corporate settings. Participants build on the skills acquired in the B.Ed. Business/Vocational English module in order to achieve CEFR C2- level.

• In The Changing World of Work, students plan and teach a lesson on current developments in the world of work. While researching the topic, they practice annotation skills and continue to expand their knowledge of subject-specific terminology for their specialisation (Berufsfach). They create suitable lesson materials, exploring scaffolding strategies for lessons that deal with complex topics and specific terminology. In addition, participants continue to hone their academic writing and speaking skills.
•  In Practical Skills for Business/Vocational English Teachers, students assess and design lesson materials and practice classroom discourse for specific vocational purposes, taking into account that these materials often need to work for different levels of proficiency within a group.

Practical Skills for English Language Teachers (Grundschule): for M.Ed. Students of English for Primary-Level Teaching (Lehramt an Grundschulen – LAGS; Lehramt für Sonderpädagogik mit der Profilbildung Grundschule – LAS-G)

Comprising two courses, this module enables students to develop diverse, effective teaching materials based on an understanding of relevant social and cultural contexts as well as current educational policy debates. In both courses, students practise formal reflective writing to consolidate their language proficiency at CEFR level C1+.

• In Sprachlehrveranstaltung A, students work on projects about teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) in the primary school classroom. Potential topics include selecting authentic materials, addressing classroom heterogeneity, and incorporating varieties of English and anglophone cultures when planning lessons.
  
  
• In the Übung, students plan and present short lesson simulations using authentic materials, practise accurate classroom discourse at the level specified in the Bildungsplan, and reflect on their own and their peers’ lesson simulations.