Teaching German as a Foreign Language
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to introduce the teaching of the German language as a foreign language. After a theoretical introduction to the methodological concepts of teaching German as a foreign language (u.d. A), the various linguistic structures of German as a foreign language L2 and their representation in German as a foreign language manuals will be addressed. We will discuss the various methods and social forms for effective teaching of communicative competence in a foreign language (U.D. B). The course includes lectures, seminar activities (group work) and moments of blended learning on a moodle platform. (6cfu) In addition, the student can carry out a teaching stage in a secondary school (3cfu). The student is required to plan and carry out a short teaching unit and analyze its educational effectiveness.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge At the end of the course the student knows the teaching methods and principles of a foreign language in general and of German L2/L3 in particular, he will be able to recognize the learning processes of German L2/L3 for native Italian speakers and to describe the language structures of German as a foreign language and the communication processes (context, language skills, communication skills, etc.). He can also plan and structure a German lesson L2/L3 Competences The student acquires the following skills: - analysis of the possible implications for the teaching of the phonological, morphological and syntactic structures of the German language to Italian-speaking learners. - programming of short teaching units and analysis of the processes of teaching German L2/L3 in the classroom. - secure mastery of tools and aids such as dictionaries, grammars, computer platforms for teaching German.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course is designed for students enrolled in the Master's Degree program and is conducted entirely in German. The course is organised in a blended format, with 20 hours of face-to-face (synchronous) teaching and 20 hours of collaborative activities on the course's Moodle platform. It aims to introduce students to the teaching of German as a foreign language. Following a theoretical introduction to the methodological concepts of teaching German as a second language, this section will address the various linguistic structures of German as a second language and their representation in German as a foreign language textbooks. The various methodologies and social forms for effective teaching focused on communicative competence in a foreign language will be discussed. The Moodle course is an interactive course that requires the active collaboration of participants. Therefore, the teacher will provide the access key to the course only at the beginning of the semester. The course is structured according to the flipped classroom methodology.
In addition, students will be able to undertake an internship in a lower or upper secondary school (3 ECTS credits). Students are required to plan and carry out a short teaching unit and analyse its educational effectiveness. At the end of the internship, a written report is required. The topic of the teaching unit and the date of submission of the written report must be agreed upon in advance with the teacher.
The course programme is valid until February 2026.
Part A (in person) introduces students to German language teaching and will cover the topics discussed on the platform.
Part B (asynchronous) covers chapters 1-6 and the corresponding exercises from Barkowski, Hans et al.: Deutsch als fremde Sprache (available on the platform).
International students or incoming Erasmus students are invited to contact the course lecturer as soon as possible.
Examination arrangements for students with disabilities and/or SLDs must be agreed with the lecturer, in consultation with the relevant office.
In addition, students will be able to undertake an internship in a lower or upper secondary school (3 ECTS credits). Students are required to plan and carry out a short teaching unit and analyse its educational effectiveness. At the end of the internship, a written report is required. The topic of the teaching unit and the date of submission of the written report must be agreed upon in advance with the teacher.
The course programme is valid until February 2026.
Part A (in person) introduces students to German language teaching and will cover the topics discussed on the platform.
Part B (asynchronous) covers chapters 1-6 and the corresponding exercises from Barkowski, Hans et al.: Deutsch als fremde Sprache (available on the platform).
International students or incoming Erasmus students are invited to contact the course lecturer as soon as possible.
Examination arrangements for students with disabilities and/or SLDs must be agreed with the lecturer, in consultation with the relevant office.
Prerequisites for admission
Secure command of the German language (CEFR level B2-C1), the course is entirely held in German.
Teaching methods
The course uses the following teaching methods: lectures, seminar activities (group work), collaborative blended learning on the Moodle platform, and active student participation in seminar activities.
Teaching Resources
Barkowski, Hans et al.: Deutsch als fremde Sprache. Klett-Langenscheidt, München, 2014 (DLL 3, digital version available on Moodle platform).
Brinitzer, Michaela et al.: DaF unterrichten. Basiswissen Didaktik Deutsch als Fremd- und Zweitsprache. Klett, Stuttgart 2013.
Glabionat, Manuela et al.: Profile Deutsch A1-C2, Langenscheidt. Berlin etc. 2005.
Europarat: Gemeinsamer europäischer Referenzrahmen für Sprachen: lernen, lehren, beurteilen. Übersetzung von Quetz, Jürgen. Langenscheidt, Berlin etc. 2001.
Council of Europe: Gemeinsamer europäischer Referenzrahmen für Sprachen: lernen, lehren, beurteilen. Begleitband. Langenscheidt-Klett, Berlin ecc., 2020.
Non-attending students are invited to get in touch with the professor promptly.
Brinitzer, Michaela et al.: DaF unterrichten. Basiswissen Didaktik Deutsch als Fremd- und Zweitsprache. Klett, Stuttgart 2013.
Glabionat, Manuela et al.: Profile Deutsch A1-C2, Langenscheidt. Berlin etc. 2005.
Europarat: Gemeinsamer europäischer Referenzrahmen für Sprachen: lernen, lehren, beurteilen. Übersetzung von Quetz, Jürgen. Langenscheidt, Berlin etc. 2001.
Council of Europe: Gemeinsamer europäischer Referenzrahmen für Sprachen: lernen, lehren, beurteilen. Begleitband. Langenscheidt-Klett, Berlin ecc., 2020.
Non-attending students are invited to get in touch with the professor promptly.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The assessment is divided into two parts.
Part A: Assessment of exercises on the course's Moodle platform. The score on the platform (expressed in hundredths) is converted into thirtieths.
Part B: Oral exam: The oral exam consists of an oral interview in German on the topics covered in the course, aimed at assessing the knowledge and skills acquired during the course. The grade is expressed in thirtieths. The oral exam can be replaced by a written mid-term exam (only for attending students). The overall grade is the average of the grade for part A and the grade for part B.
In particular, the exam will aim to:
- assess the achievement of objectives in terms of knowledge and comprehension skills;
- assess the ability to apply the knowledge and comprehension acquired through educational examples;
- assess mastery of the specialist language of foreign language teaching.
Part A: Assessment of exercises on the course's Moodle platform. The score on the platform (expressed in hundredths) is converted into thirtieths.
Part B: Oral exam: The oral exam consists of an oral interview in German on the topics covered in the course, aimed at assessing the knowledge and skills acquired during the course. The grade is expressed in thirtieths. The oral exam can be replaced by a written mid-term exam (only for attending students). The overall grade is the average of the grade for part A and the grade for part B.
In particular, the exam will aim to:
- assess the achievement of objectives in terms of knowledge and comprehension skills;
- assess the ability to apply the knowledge and comprehension acquired through educational examples;
- assess mastery of the specialist language of foreign language teaching.
L-LIN/02 - EDUCATIONAL LINGUISTICS - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Katelhoen Peggy
Professor(s)