German, the most widely spoken language in the EU in terms of the number of native speakers, continues to be of considerable importance in the humanities and the arts and is learnt as a second foreign language after English in many regions of the world (especially Eastern Europe). Due to immigration to Germany, German has also become a second language for millions of people and the demand for qualified teachers of German as a second language has increased.

The Master's degree programme imparts theoretical and practical knowledge and skills in the field of German as a second and foreign language. Students should be sensitised to the opportunities and value of multilingualism and be enabled to promote this in their academic appointments. Accordingly, the M.A. German as a Foreign Language/German as a Second Language includes specialised didactics based on the results of language teaching and learning research and intercultural communication. These two specialisations are linked by the linguistic basis of multilingualism research.
The emphasis in teaching and research activities is on issues relating to the linguistic integration of immigrants with a clear emphasis on the promotion of multilingualism. Cooperation with intercultural pedagogy in particular characterises the profile of German as a foreign language in Oldenburg.

The Master's degree programme in German as a Foreign Language prepares students for teaching German in non-school and pre-school settings and for teaching positions abroad. Graduates can therefore be employed in language schools in Germany and abroad, teaching German as a foreign language and in adult education institutions.
Due to the generally increased importance of language education, there are also job opportunities
in politics, publishing houses, the media and research.