Magazin Sprache

In the Magazin Sprache, you will find current articles on learning and teaching German as a foreign language: practical tips and expert insights for trainers and teachers.

Eine junge Frau mit Büchern auf dem Arm © Pexels/Andrea Piacquadio

Language teaching and didactics

An inquiry-based approach to language teaching

Task-based language teaching: basic principles and misunderstandings

Task-based education is an inquiry-based approach to language teaching: learners are given plenty of opportunities to expand their language competences by performing meaningful reading, writing, listening, speaking and interaction tasks. During the past 40 years, task-based language teaching has become popular, but a number of myths and misunderstandings have emerged around it. I would like to discuss these in this article.

© Getty Images © Getty Images
Language Certificate

New routines for exam prep

Are routines boring? Not in the least! They can help structure our everyday language-learning efforts and are an important and effective process in natural learning. Working authentic materials into your learners’ everyday lives is the best preparation for the Goethe, telc and ösd C1-level exams.

© Getty Images © Getty Images

Digital and mobile forms of learning

AI in schools

“Mistakes are now corrected by AI”

Last year, teacher Hendrik Haverkamp explained in DIE ZEIT how ChatGPT is transforming teaching. What has happened since then? A discussion about the time-saving benefits of artificial intelligence and how it may spell the end of homework.

© Colourbox © Colourbox
Teacher Training Podcasts

Learning on the Go with Podcasts in Your Pocket

Can we learn new things on the go, whilst going for a walk, exercising or doing household chores? Yes, with podcasts!

© Colourbox © Colourbox

Language policy, society and perspectives

Language Policy

German Language Teachers Are Key

Worldwide an additional four thousand German teachers are needed. Language skills are the key to successful integration for immigrant students and skilled workers.

Language in context

Multilingual didactics

Multilingual Approaches to Teaching German

Learners of German as a foreign language often have a wide range of prior language skills: their native language, English or other foreign languages they’ve learnt at school, or expressions they’ve picked up whilst travelling or at work. A multilingual approach can take advantage of these various language skills to help German learners.

© Goethe-Institut/Canva © Goethe-Institut/Canva
Linguicism in the Teaching of German as a Second Language

How does discrimination against languages and their speakers manifest itself? And how can teachers combat various forms of “linguicism” in the classroom? This is the focus of a Vienna-based association called Migrationspädagogische Zweitsprachdidaktik.

© Colourbox © Colourbox
Multilingualism in theClassroom

Multilingualism as a Didactic Opportunity

Despite increasing attention to multilingual approaches, teaching is still often based on a monolingual approach. Learners’ languages can bridge to the target language and make lessons more inclusive and effective—if used intentionally.

Indira_Wakelkamp_Multilinguism(PDF, 85 KB)

The article will be available only as a PDF from November 25 to December 15 due to maintenance work.

© Goethe-Institut © Goethe-Institut