Master of Arts in German as a Foreign and Second Language (Master DaFZ)

The "German as a Foreign and Second Language" Master's degree programme in Kassel is equally based on theory and practice as well as research. Thus, in addition to acquiring linguistic and didactic knowledge and teaching experience, students develop skills in empirical research. The first two semesters comprise the following compulsory introductory lectures and seminars: (Psycho)linguistic basics of German as a foreign and second language Research methods in German as a foreign/second language Observation and analysis of foreign/second language teaching/classrooms Theories of foreign/second language acquisition and learning Methods of teaching foreign/second languages In the first, second and third semester, students acquire knowledge and develop and deepen their skills in the following areas: Factors influencing the process of teaching and learning a foreign/second language (autonomy, motivation, learning style, etc.) National and international standards and curricula of teaching foreign languages Principles of teaching German to specific learner groups (e.g., children, adults, students, professionals, illiterates) Language (learning) awareness, bi- and multilingualism, etc. Current trends in teaching language and culture Linguistic skills in phonetics/phonology, lexis, grammar, literature, and cultural studies Development, evaluation and implementation of learning (digital) media (AI in learning) Analysis of teaching materials The Master's programme comprises an intensive practical phase during which students will learn how to teach German as a foreign/second language. This activity is prepared, accompanied and evaluated in affiliated seminars and tutorials (either in the second or in the third semester). In addition, there is an obligatory study project in which students learn how to plan, carry out, and evaluate a project in the context of learning and teaching German as a foreign/second language (either in the second or in the third semester). The "German as a Foreign and Second Language" Master's degree programme is genuinely international in its scope. As a result of the socio-political changes having taken place in Germany in the past five years and the subsequently emerging necessity for improving the language support and integration of recent migrants and their children, the focus of the Master's programme has been adapted to changes in second language perspectives.