German as a foreign language: Innovative courses in the summer semester 2025!

German as a foreign language: Innovative courses in the summer semester 2025!

In the summer semester of 2025, the Center for Foreign Language Training (ZFA) will offer a wide range of language courses in the area of ​​German as a foreign language (DaF) for international students. These courses, which are available at all levels, will take place in person from April 22nd to July 25th, 2025. Registration for international students is possible online until April 4, 2025, like news.rub.de reported.

The head of the DaF area, Dr. Martin Wichmann, highlights the important connection between language teaching and academic studies. In addition to the general German courses, which range from A1.1 to C1.1, new offers such as the course for technical language in the natural sciences for international students from several faculties are also part of the program. These courses aim to deepen scientific terminology and academic expressions.

Integration of modern teaching methods

The range of courses also includes academic language events that are particularly tailored to the needs of international students. The practice-oriented approach in the courses is intended to promote communication skills and study skills. Stanislav Katanneck emphasizes the advantages of modern technologies such as iPads and digital whiteboards in the German language area to support a cooperative learning approach.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is another central point of the offer. Artificial intelligence is increasingly seen as a disruptive technology that can also bring about change in the education sector. Developing adaptive and flexible learning environments through AI is considered important to enable personalized learning experiences. degruyter.com points out that AI-powered systems such as intelligent tutors and chatbots are increasingly being integrated into language teaching to improve the learning experience.

• KI-basierte Sprachlernsoftware (z.B. Duolingo, Babbel, Memrise) ermöglicht adaptives Lernen.
• Chatbots ermöglichen einen zeit- und raumunabhängigen Dialog.
• Intelligente Tutoren bieten personalisierte Unterstützung.

The integration of AI also promotes critical self-reflection and the responsible use of AI tools. Academic writing courses are specifically designed to support the critical use of such technologies.

Challenges and opportunities

Still, there are challenges. Learning research and pedagogical practice adapt more slowly than developments in the computer science field. Interdisciplinarity when using AI in education is of central importance. Educational institutions must actively address the opportunities and risks of AI in order to prepare both teachers and students for the use of technology in the writing process. AI Literacy should be promoted to prepare students for technology-assisted writing.

In this context, it is important that innovation-friendliness prevails in educational institutions in order to support the acceptance of new technologies. Creating writing portfolios and creative projects using AI tools can improve many aspects of writing and enable new forms of creative writing in the classroom.

Insights into the course offerings and the experiences of international students are provided on the DaF website, which further contributes to the transparency and attractiveness of the offerings. The combination of academic learning with innovative teaching methods and digital technology is the focus of current developments in the area of ​​German as a foreign language.