University teaching in Heilbronn: Rolf Kreyer receives the coveted Ars legendi prize!

University teaching in Heilbronn: Rolf Kreyer receives the coveted Ars legendi prize!

The Ars legendi Prize was awarded on March 13, 2025 as part of the teaching-learning conference of the Academy of Excellent University Teaching in Heilbronn. This award is given by the Stifterverband and the University Rectors' Conference to recognize the importance of outstanding university teaching. This year Professor Dr. Rolf Kreyer from the Philipps University of Marburg and Professor Dr. Richard Göttlich from the University of Giessen was honored for her innovative approaches to teacher training. The prize is endowed with 30,000 euros and has been awarded annually since 2006.

Professor Kreyer, whose teaching approach is based on the motto “Good linguists are better teachers!” was honored for his commitment and creativity in imparting linguistic knowledge to student teachers. Its aim is to strengthen the belief that linguistic expertise and its practical application are crucial for successful English teaching. In doing so, he combines the theoretical foundations of English linguistics with practical teacher training.

Innovative teaching projects and collaboration

In his teaching career, Kreyer has developed various innovative projects, such as the couples therapy project “LiKE – Linguistic Competence for English Teaching” and the escape room game “The Linguist’s Lair”. These projects promote critical questioning and independent thinking among students. According to Professor Dr. Yvonne Zimmermann, Vice President for Education at the Philipps University of Marburg, particularly praised the jury for Kreyer's successful combination of professionalization needs with specialist qualifications.

Kreyer also did his doctorate on the cooperation between specialist scientists, didactists and educational scientists. His close collaboration with the Center for Teacher Training at the University of Marburg and the Hessian Teachers Academy is an example of his commitment. Numerous projects in these institutions further strengthen the comprehensive training of prospective teachers.

Awarding of prizes and jury selection

The winners were selected from 26 proposals, with the jury consisting of both students and experts representing different disciplines. This year, two Ars legendi prizes were awarded to recognize outstanding achievements in the specialist sciences for teacher training. In 2015 the prize went to Professor Dr. Jürgen Handke and in 2018 to Professor Dr. Awarded to Evelyn Korn.

The awarding of the Ars legendi Prize highlights the ongoing need to promote higher education and contribute to quality education for future generations. The award is a visible sign of recognition of the worthwhile work being done in the field of teacher training.