Language learning support for DaFZ at Oldenburg schools (from 2023/24)
Language learning support for DaFZ at Oldenburg schools (from 2023/24)
Our project Sprachlernbegleitung DaFZ an Oldenburger Schulen is specifically aimed at promoting the language skills of children and young people with a migrant background at Oldenburg schools. The focus is on practical support in areas that are often neglected in regular language lessons - for example, listening comprehension of spoken German (spontaneous) language and pronunciation (emphasis, rhythm, intonation and articulation), on which we place a special focus in the first phase of implementation.
As part of the project, current didactic concepts and the latest research findings from the field of learning German as a foreign and second language and from the field of foreign and second language acquisition research are systematically integrated into practice-orientated language support.
The close cooperation between the University of Oldenburg (UOL) and local schools in Oldenburg results in a sustainable and scientifically sound support programme. Students on the UOL's DaF/DaZ master's programme gain valuable practical experience and test current didactic approaches directly in everyday school life. We are also developing guidelines and a virtual method kit for students and (prospective) teachers to support language support in the long term. In addition, the exchange between students and teachers offers a valuable opportunity for a practical integration of theory and classroom reality. Through joint reflection and feedback, not only can the trainee teachers benefit from the experiences on site, but teachers can also gain new ideas and inspiration for their own language support practice.
Our initiative began in the winter semester of 2023/24 with a pilot phase in which students from Ukraine took part at a grammar school in Oldenburg (see pictures).
Special features of our project:
- Focal points: Depending on requirements, we offer different language focuses - for example, in the first phase, listening comprehension and phonetics/phonology in pronunciation (emphasis, rhythm, intonation and articulation). The development of these skills is often neglected in regular teaching due to a lack of time and resources, but they are crucial and fundamental skills for language development that should not be neglected.
- Flexibility & further development: Adaptation of the linguistic focus to the specific needs of students and schools as well as (prospective) teachers.
- Theory meets practice: Students on the UOL's Master's degree programme in German as a foreign/second language develop and implement implementation options and didactic elaborations based on current pedagogical/didactic concepts and research results in the field of foreign/second language acquisition.
- Sustainable support: Development of guidelines and a virtual method kit for (prospective) teachers for the long-term continuation of language support.
- Social participation: Promotion of educational equality and integration of migrant children and young people through targeted language support.
- Individual cooperation and long-term development: The project will be continued in the long term (at least for the next 3-5 years) and continuously expanded to meet the specific needs of the participating schools and pupils. Schools, school administrators and teachers who are interested in working together can contact Prof Dr Katharina Schuhmann at any time to discuss their needs or develop joint ideas. We are happy to develop customised, needs-based language support concepts.
