Prof. Dr. Claudia Riemer

Born in 1965 in Aalen (Ostalbkreis, Baden-Württemberg)
Married since 1993

Career highlights

• Since the summer semester of 2002: Professor of German as a Foreign and Second Language at Bielefeld University
• 2019–2020: Visiting Professor of German as a Foreign Language at Zhejiang International Studies University (ZISU) in Hangzhou, China
• 2011: Declined the appointment to the university professorship in German as a Foreign Language at the University of Vienna
• Since 2004: Short-term teaching posts and visiting appointments at the universities of Thessaloniki, Greece; Riga, Latvia; Antananarivo, Madagascar; Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia; Vienna, Austria; Poznań, Poland; Tehran, Iran; Yaoundé, Cameroon; Shanghai, China; Hangzhou, China; Curitiba, Brazil
• 2008: Teaching post at the University of Vienna
• 1996–2002: Research assistant (C1) in the field of language teaching research at the Institute for General and Comparative Linguistics, University of Hamburg
• 1998–1999: Lectureships at the Universities of Flensburg and Leipzig
• 1991–1995: Research assistant (with degree) at Bielefeld University, LiLi Faculty/German as a Foreign Language

Academic Qualifications

• January 2002: Post-doctoral habilitation in the field of language teaching research at the University of Hamburg
• February 1996: Dr. phil., German as a Foreign Language at Bielefeld University (summa cum laude)
• May 1991: M.A. in German as a Foreign Language, German Studies and Sociology at Bielefeld University (very good)

Research Project Management

• Since 2002: FörBi. Remedial teaching for pupils whose mother tongue is not German at Bielefeld University (third-party funded; foundations, City of Bielefeld)
• 2013–2023: German Studies departmental partnership with the University of Yaoundé, Cameroon (externally funded, DAAD)
• 2019–2023: ‘Language-sensitive subject teaching at secondary level – developing language-sensitive diagnostic and support skills in practice” (sub-activity within the sub-project “Inclusion-sensitive teacher training: From assessment to support and didactics” in the Bielefeld research programme BiProfessional, Quality Initiative for Teacher Training) (externally funded, BMBF) https://www.uni-bielefeld.de/einrichtungen/biprofessional/teilprojekte-(tp)/tp-4-inklusionssensible-l/tm_18.xml/
• 2016–2019; 2022: Dhoch3; Development of the module ‘Researching the Lehren und Lernen of Foreign Languages’ (third-party funded, DAAD) https://www.daad.de/de/der-daad/was-wir-tun/die-deutsche-sprache-foerdern/das-projekt-dhoch3/
• 2016–2019: ‘Diagnostic and support skills for language-sensitive subject teaching at secondary level’ (sub-project within the cluster ‘Inclusion-sensitive assessment, support and didactics’ within the Bielefeld research programme BiProfessional, Quality Initiative for Teacher Training) (externally funded, BMBF)
• 2008–2013: German Studies departmental partnership with the University of Antananarivo, Madagascar (externally funded, DAAD)
• 2006–2011: Accompanying research into pre-school language support for children of foreign migrants at Bielefeld’s nurseries and childcare centres (externally funded by the City of Bielefeld)
• 2002–2008: PunktUm: counselling and training for international students at Bielefeld University (externally and state-funded)

Other roles

• Since 2013: Member of the steering committee for the “Spring Conference on Research into Foreign Language Teaching”
• Since 2020: “Grundwissen DaF/DaZ” book series, Schöningh / UTB.
• Since 2014: Member of the Academic Advisory Board of the “Zeitschrift für Fremdsprachenforschung” (member of the editorial board 2001–2014, editor-in-chief 2004–2008)
• Since 2002: Academic Advisory Board of the journal “Fremdsprachen Lehren und Lernen”
• Since 2002: Book series “Perspectives on German as a Foreign Language” (in collaboration with Uwe Koreik and Udo Ohm, Schneider-Verlag Hohengehren). From 2026 under the title “Perspectives on German as a Foreign and Second Language”, in collaboration with Julia Settinieri and Damaris Borowski, BiUP. Bielefeld University Press.

Roles in the Academic Self-Governance of Bielefeld University

• Since October 2020: Spokesperson for the degree programme in German as a Foreign and Second Language
• December 2020–October 2026: Member of the faculty conference of the Faculty of Linguistics and Literary Studies
• October 2020–January 2023: Spokesperson for the Department of German as a Foreign and Second Language / Multilingualism
• December 2009–November 2019: Vice Rector for Studies and Teaching at the University, member of the rectorate
• 2010–2012: Planning and Development Officer for the Bielefeld School of Education
• 2007–2008: Member of the Development Committee for the Fachsprachenzentrum [Language Centre]
• 2003–2008: Member of the University Commission for Studies and Teaching
• 2003–2010: Member of the faculty conference of the Faculty of Linguistics and Literary Studies
• 2005–2009: Deputy Chair of the Faculty Commission for Research and Young Researchers
• 2002–2022: Member of the German Language Proficiency Assessment Committee
• 2002–2009: Spokesperson for the Department of German as a Foreign and Second Language

Memberships and involvement in academic associations and advisory boards / policy consultancy

• Since 2025/11: Deutsche Welle, member of the Academy’s Advisory Board / Educational Programmes
• Since 2020: BAMF, Federal Ministry of the Interior, member of the Evaluation Commission for the Integration Course System
• 2011–2016: Federal Office of Administration/Central Agency for Schools Abroad, member of the Academic Advisory Board
• 2008–2014: Goethe-Institut, member of the Language Advisory Board (2008–2014), Deputy Chair of the Language Advisory Board (2009–2011), Chair of the Language Advisory Board (2012–2014)
• 2006–2007: Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), National Integration Programme, member of the working groups ‘Language Support in Nurseries/Day-care Centres/Pre-schools and Schools’ and ‘Higher Education in an Immigration Society – Language Education and Integration’
• German Society for Foreign Language Research (DGFF), Member of the Executive Board 2004–2008, Member
• Professional Association for German as a Foreign Language (fadaf), member of the Scientific Advisory Board and the BAMA Advisory Board (2005–2013), member of the Executive Board (October 2023 to May 2026), member
• Association for the Support of Pupils whose Mother Tongue is not German e.V., Chairperson
• Westfälisch-Lippische Universitätsgesellschaft [University Society], Member
• visib. society for the support of foreign students in Bielefeld e.V., Member

Doctoral students supervised (completed, primary supervisor only)

• Burbat, Ruth (2016): “Discovery-based language comprehension with authentic texts: How do beginners experience and assess such a high degree of autonomy?” University of Granada, Spain.
• Boyanova Marinova, Gergana (2007): “Learners’ attitudes towards the benefits of play in foreign language acquisition. An exploratory empirical study”. (doctoral) thesis in German as a Foreign Language, Bielefeld University.David, Monika (2019): “Fossilised Structures in the Interlanguage of German as a Foreign Language Learners. A Longitudinal Study on the Defossilisation of Syntactic and Verbal-Morphological Structures amongst Participants in Integration Courses”. (doctoral) thesis in German as a Foreign Language, Bielefeld University.
• Demirkaya, Sevilen (2017): “Pre-school language support for children from migrant backgrounds. A qualitative longitudinal study from a socio-ecological perspective”. (doctoral) thesis in German as a Foreign Language, Bielefeld University.
• Feldmeier, Alexis (2010): “Literacy among non-native German-speaking adults. Reading processes and the use of strategies when reading isolated words, with particular regard to the colour-coding and typographical highlighting of letter groups”. (doctoral) thesis in German as a Foreign Language, Bielefeld University.Grünewald, Matthias (2004): “Images of Germany and Germans held by Japanese students of German – a longitudinal study at a selected Japanese university”. (doctoral) thesis in German as a Foreign Language, Bielefeld University.
• Gültekin-Karakoç, Nazan (2015): “Preschool second language acquisition taking influencing factors into account: Results of a two-year quantitative longitudinal study”. (Doctoral) thesis in German as a Foreign Language, Bielefeld University.
• Harting, Axel (2010): “Requests in emails by Japanese learners of German. Difficulties in acquiring target-language text norms, taking into account the influences of native German and Japanese text patterns.” (Doctoral) thesis in German as a Foreign Language, Bielefeld University.
• Hinrichs, Beatrix (2010): “‘Several pigs have already been paraded through the village’ – Reflections on the impact of teacher training, using the example of writing instruction in multinational mainstream classes”. (doctoral) thesis in German as a Foreign Language, Bielefeld University.
• Introna, Silvia (2021): “The acquisition of foreign-language academic reading competence. An Educational Design Research study on reading competence in L2 German among international students of the humanities and social sciences”. (Doctoral) thesis in German as a Foreign Language, Bielefeld University.
• Kenne, Augustin (2014): “Language Acquisition and Language Teaching. A Study of the Teaching and Learning Processes of Tertiary Languages in Cameroon, Using German as an Example, with Particular Reference to the Effects of Previously Learnt Languages”. Université de Yaoundé I, Cameroon.
• Maleki, Mostafa (2017): “On the Motivation of Learners of German as a Foreign Language in Iran. An Operationalisation of the ‘L2 Motivational Self System’ Theory. An Empirical Study on the Relationship between Language Learning Success and Motivation among Iranian Learners of German as a Foreign Language from the Perspective of L2 Self-Concepts”. University of Tehran, Iran.
• Mbiafeun Mbakop, Annie (2026): “Writing Master’s Thesis Proposals in the Context of Foreign-Language Text Production (Using the Example of the German Department at the University of Yaoundé 1). Difficulties, coping strategies and contextual conditions”. University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon
• Mejia Casas, Alfonso (2014): “When and how learner roles are negotiated. A study of the conditions, action strategies and consequences of promoting learner autonomy in foreign language teaching in Colombia”. (doctoral) thesis in German as a Foreign Language, Bielefeld University.
• Rabevala, Haingo (2018): “Diagnosis of pronunciation errors from a perceptual perspective and didactic suggestions. Sequential studies in German as a Foreign Language (DaF) teaching in the Malagasy context”. (doctoral) thesis in German Studies, University of Antananarivo, Madagascar.
• Rahamaliarison, Oliva (2009): “Motivation of German learners in Madagascar. General profile”. (doctoral) thesis in German Studies, University of Antananarivo, Madagascar.Richter, Julia (2007): “Phonetic Reduction in German as a Second Language”. (doctoral) thesis in German as a Foreign Language, Bielefeld University.
• Rizopoulou, Aikaterini (2017): “Form-Focus and Noticing in German as a Foreign Language Teaching. A Pilot Study”. (doctoral) thesis in German as a Foreign Language, Bielefeld University.
• Tran, Thi Thu Trang (2026): “Learning Motivation among Vietnamese Learners of German. An Empirical Study”. (doctoral) thesis in German as a Foreign Language, Bielefeld University.
• Tsamo Fomano, Williams (2016): “Interaction in German lessons in Cameroon: Overcoming learning difficulties”. Université de Yaoundé I, Cameroon
• Toumi Njeugue, Bertrand (2021): “The teacher plays a central role: On teachers’ perceptions of their own role in school-based German as a Foreign Language (DaF) lessons in Cameroon. A qualitative, practice-oriented case study”. (Doctoral) thesis in German as a Foreign Language, Bielefeld University.
• Wafein Noumbi, Jocelyne (2026): “An investigation into the interrelated relationship between text elements in academic argumentation, taking into account the generation and expansion of knowledge. A linguistic analysis based on the example of final theses by German studies students at the University of Yaoundé I". Université de Yaoundé I, Cameroon.

Presentations

• 2026, University of Curitiba (UFPR) & University of Niterói (UFF) & Colégio Cruzeiro & International Association for German Studies (IVG), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 31 July 2026, lecture: “Being a German teacher – becoming a German teacher. On the magic of collaboration between academia and the classroom”.
• 2026, 13th Brazilian Congress of German Teachers on the theme “Language learning in times of change: rethinking German” from 28–30 July 2026 in São Paulo, organised by the BraDLV, the Brazilian Association of German Teachers; plenary lecture: “Rethinking German teacher training? Teaching German as a Foreign Language (DaF) as a skill for the future”.
• 2025, State Language Institute at the Ruhr University Bochum, 1st DaF symposium as part of the nationwide QuiL network on the theme “DaF Teachers in Dialogue: Future-Oriented Methods and Concepts for the Language Training of International Teachers”, 30–31 October 2025; Plenary lecture: “On the importance of profession-related language training in German as a second language for immigrant teachers”.
• 2025, Goethe-Institut Sweden in Stockholm, 19 September 2025, German Teachers’ Day Stockholm 2025; Keynote: “Motivation for Teaching German as a Foreign Language – how motivation, perseverance and commitment (could)”.
• 2025, Goethe-Institut / Max Müller Bhavan Delhi and the Indian Association of German Teachers (InDaF), German Teachers’ Conference for North India & Nepal on the theme “Back to Basics”, 29–31 August 2025; Keynote: “Didactic and methodological principles for teaching German as a foreign language and their basis in foreign language research”.
• 2025, workshops with presentations at Indian Goethe-Instituts: GI Delhi on the topic “Motivating for action-oriented teaching”; GI Chennai on the topic “Promoting motivation and perseverance in German as a Foreign Language teaching”; GI Bangalore on the topic “Teaching German as a Foreign Language with Principles (focus on teaching principles, in particular interaction-oriented, learner-centred and needs-based approaches)”.
• 2025, 18th International Symposium of German Teachers (IDT 2025), 28July–1 August 2025 in Lübeck on the theme “Embracing diversity – with German”, Section B.5.I Motivation for learning German amidst the tension between individual goals and societal developments; keynote address to conclude the section: ‘Long-term motivation and perseverance in DaF/DaZ – a neglected perspective?’
• 2025, XVth IVG Congress 2025, 20 July 2025–27July 2025, Karl-Franzens University of Graz, Graz, XVth Congress of the International Association for German Studies on the theme “Language and Literature in Times of Crisis – Challenges, Tasks and Opportunities for International German Studies”, Section 51: German Studies and German as a Foreign Language Worldwide: Training Concepts and Practical Orientation in Post-Digital Contexts; Keynote (jointly with Paulo Soethe): “Developments in International German Teacher Training and the Contribution of the Dhoch3 Programme”.
• 2025, Symposium of the Professional Association for German as a Foreign Language at the University of Paderborn on 23 May 2025 on the theme ‘More Languages – More Perspectives’, Participation in the panel discussion “More languages – more perspectives – with fewer resources?” A policy discussion forum with representatives from the field, education policy, educational administration and intermediary organisations.
• 2025, DaFWEBKON 2025 (22–24 January 2025), web conference, 15th episode of “ZusammengeDACHt – Professional Associations in Dialogue” on the topic “Promoting Individualised Learning in Language Teaching”, keynote interview: “Dealing with Individual Differences” (with Anja Häusler); Recording available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFRfOG2ovcY&list=PLTfRJK2RI4HwzxDyp3LZM45MdKYjq_gJ0&index=33.
• 2024, 50th Annual Conference on German as a Foreign and Second Language (9–12 October 2024), organised by the Professional Association for German as a Foreign and Second Language at Georg-August University, Göttingen, on the overarching theme ‘German as a Competence for the Future’, Panel discussion: ‘The subject of DaF/DaZ – Review and Future Challenges’, together with Iris Beckmann-Schulz, Olaf Bärenfänger and Simone Heine.
• 2024, IDV Latin America 2024 Continental Conference of the International Association of German Teachers on 22 June 2024 on the theme ‘(Continuing) Education, Mobility, Inclusion’ (online), keynote speech: ‘Does teaching and learning German promote mobility?’
• 2024, Society for German Studies Osaka Kyoto and Goethe-Institut Osaka Kyoto, Japan. Lecture at the Goethe-Institut Osaka on 21 March 2024: ‘Turning Points in Foreign Language Research and their Significance for DaF’
• 2024, Chuo University, Department of German Studies, Japan, on 19 March 2024; Lecture: “Researching foreign language teaching and learning: Empirical foreign language research and research methodology for German as a foreign language”
• 2024, Goethe-Institut Tokyo, Japan; Lecture: “Talent and/or Motivation? On the explanatory power of selected factors for successful foreign language learning”
• 2024, 28th DaF Seminar of the Japanese Society for German Studies on the topic “On the role of the textbook in DaF teaching – reflections on learning-theoretical and methodological-didactic principles and their implementation with and without a textbook” from 11–13 March 2024, Tokyo, Japan. Presentation 1: ‘On the role of textbooks in German as a Foreign Language (DaF) teaching – functions and side effects’; Presentation 2: ‘Didactic and methodological principles and teaching materials for DaF teaching at higher education institutions’; Presentation 3: ‘Ideas for adapting teaching materials’
• 2023, Professional Association for German as a Foreign Language (FaDaF), symposium on 8 December 2023 at Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, on the topic ‘German as a Foreign Language (DaF)/German as a Second Language (DaZ)teachers with a first language other than German: challenges and potential”, plenary lecture: “Keynote – DaF/DaZ teachers with a first language other than German: challenges and potential”
• 2023, University of Trento, Italy; Department of Literature and Philosophy, 26–28 October 2023, on the topic ‘DaF today: between application and empirical research. Trends and Perspectives”, plenary lecture: “Relevance and Dimensions of Research Methodology Training in the Field of DaF”
• 2023, Université de Yaoundé I, Cameroon, 1 June 2023, presentation: “Learning and Teaching German in a Globalised World: Digitalisation – Sustainability – German Studies and German Teacher Training”
• 2023, University of Curitiba & University of Niterói & Colégio Cruzeiro, Brazil, 9 February 2023; Lecture: “Motivation and Motivating Students to Learn German in a Globalised World”
• 2022, Hybrid lecture series “Didactics of German as a Foreign Language: Contributions from Academia and Practice”, University of Education Freiburg, 9 November 2022 (online); Lecture: ‘Motivation and Motivating Learners to Study German in a Globalised World’
• 2022, Prague Didactics Conference of the Czech Chairs of German Language and German Studies, 29 October 2022 (Goethe-Institut Prague); Presentation: “Motivation for German as a Foreign Language: Perspectives for Research – Teaching – Classroom Practice”
• 2022, 17th International Symposium of German Teachers – IDT 2022, 15–20 August 2022 at the University of Vienna on the theme “mit.sprache.teil.haben”; presentation in Section F5 “Language Acquisition and its Research”: “Turning Points in Foreign Language Research”
• 2022, 17th Study Day on Romance Languages at the Free University of Berlin (online) on 11 June 2022 on the topic ‘Motivation for (continued) learning of second and third foreign languages’; opening lecture: ‘Motivation in foreign language teaching’
• 2022, DAAD symposium: German as a Foreign Language in the Digital World. On current developments in teaching and research; 1–3 June 2022 (online); opening lecture (jointly with Paulo Soethe): ‘Dhoch3 and international cooperation in German as a Foreign Language (DaF)/German Studies and higher education: opportunities and challenges’; lecture (jointly with Sandra Ballweg): “University-level training for teaching staff in Europe. Trainers’ subjective perspectives and local needs”
• 2022, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China: Closing event of the National Writing Competition for Bachelor’s students of German Studies, 28 May 2022; lecture: “Developing sustainability in and through foreign language teaching (German as a Foreign Language)’
• 2022, D-A-CH Seminar, 25–27 April 2022 at the University of Teacher Education, Vienna, on the topic ‘DaF-DaZ-DaM – Subject-specific and institutional approaches to creating synergies in German as a language of education within the context of multilingualism’. Workshop: “Teaching Competences and Teacher Training – Every Lesson is a Language Lesson”; presentation: “DaZ Competences for Language Support and Language-Based Subject Teaching: Where are we heading, and are we getting there?”
• 2021, Bielefeld University, BiSEd Colloquium ‘(Teacher) Educational Research made in Bielefeld’ on 16 December 2021, presentation: ‘Developing sustainability in and through foreign language teaching (DaF)’
• 2021, “DaF-Sofa” – virtual, informative, interactive. A series of events for the continuing professional development of German teachers in China; organised by the DAAD Lectureship at Tongji University in Shanghai. Keynote and discussion on the topic “5 Thoughts on Motivation in German Lessons”, together with Yuan Li, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
• 2021, 29th Congress of the German Society for Foreign Language Research at the University of Duisburg–Essen (online), 22–24 September 2021, presentation and workshop at the young researchers’ conference on the topic: “Career prospects in foreign language research”
• 2021, 14th Congress of the International Association for German Studies (IVG) in Palermo, 26 July–31 July 2021: ‘Directions in German Studies from Transcultural Perspectives’; Section D5: ‘Motivation for Learning German – The Significance of Language Learning for International German Studies’. Opening lecture: ‘Language- and region-specific factors in L2 motivation research. An overview of the current state of L2 motivation research”
• 2021, 48th Annual Conference of the Professional Association for German as a Foreign and Second Language (FaDaF) on 3–5 June 2021, held as a digital-hybrid event at the University of Education, Freiburg, in collaboration with the University of Kassel. Key theme: ‘The CEFR and Companion Volume’. Plenary lecture: “The CEFR and the CEFR Companion Volume. A policy-oriented interjection with regard to perspectives on education, immigration and integration policy”
• 2021, MaMLiSE seminar: Multilingualism and Second Language Provision in Schools. Bielefeld University, 23–24 March 2021 (Erasmus+ project). Presentation: “Complementary Second Language Provision and Teacher Education: Good Practice from 20 Years of the FörBi Project”
• 2021, Goethe-Institut / Max Müller Bhavan Bangalore and the Indian Association of German Teachers (InDaF), virtual symposium for German teachers on the theme “DaF in Motion: Teaching Successfully in Real and Virtual Environments”, 29–31 January 2021: Keynote lecture 1: “Motivation for Learning German in a Globalised World”, Keynote lecture 2: “Face-to-face – distance – analogue – digital – synchronous – asynchronous: The Importance of Emotion, Interaction and Collaboration in Learning German”
• 2021, Goethe-Institut / Max Müller Bhavan Mumbai and the Indian Association of German Teachers (InDaF), virtual symposium for German teachers on the theme ‘DaF on the Move: current – virtual – intercultural”, 22–24 January 2021, Keynote Lecture: “Motivation for Learning German in a Globalised World”
• 2020, Goethe-Institut China in cooperation with Zhejiang University, Virtual German Teachers’ Days, 16–18 October 2020: Lecture with workshop: ‘Research in one’s own DaF lessons: Opportunities and challenges of action research and educational design research’; panel discussion: ‘Here, now and why – the future of German as a foreign language’
• 2020, Humboldt University of Berlin, lecture series ‘Inclusion and Heterogeneity in Foreign Language Teaching’ (9 June 2020 via video conference), lecture: ‘Inclusion and integration – do they go hand in hand?’
• 2020, VHS Oelde-Ennigerloh (15 January 2020), lecture: ‘On the role of emotions in language learning – what we can learn from foreign language research for language teaching’
• 2019, Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China; Department of German Studies at the Institute for Foreign Languages, Culture and International Exchange (13 December 2019), lecture: “Researching foreign language teaching and learning: Empirical foreign language research in the field of German as a foreign language; the example of action research”
• 2019, Zhejiang International Studies University in Hangzhou, China; Department of German at the Institute for European Languages and Culture (11 December 2019), lecture: ‘German as a Foreign Language (DaF) and German as a Second Language (DaZ) degree programmes at Bielefeld University and in Germany’
• 2019, Conference of the Educational Linguistics Research Group at Justus Liebig University Giessen on the topic ‘The CEFR Companion Volume: New Concepts, Competences, Scales’ (8 November 2019), presentation: “The CEFR Companion Volume from the Perspective of DaF and DaZ”
• 2019, 28th Congress of the German Society for Foreign Language Research on the topic “Languages, Cultures, Identities: Upheavals brought about by digitalisation?” at the University of Würzburg (26–28 September 2019), section “Heterogeneity and Inclusion”, presentation: ‘Inclusion and Integration – Developments in Education Policy and (Missed?) Opportunities’
• 2019, professional development course for young German lecturers at Zhejiang University, organised by the Goethe-Institut China and the Guidance Committee for German Studies of the Chinese Ministry of Education on the topic: “Research in Teaching” (12–14 April 2019), keynote lecture: ‘Practice-oriented German as a Foreign Language (DaF) research: investigating teaching and learning processes in the classroom’
• 2018, DAAD Cairo Office, AlMena Conference 2018 on the topic: “German Studies and German as a Foreign Language in the MENA region” (5–6 November 2018), Keynote lecture: “Researching Foreign Language Teaching and Learning: Empirical Foreign Language Research and Research Methodology in the Field of German as a Foreign Language”, Panel discussion: “Business as Usual or Off to New Shores? DaF Curricula at the Crossroads of Tradition and Innovation”
• 2018, German Teachers’ Day at the Goethe-Institut Portugal, Lisbon, on the topic ‘Motivation for Learning German’ (20 October 2018), keynote lecture: ‘Motives and Motivation for German as a Foreign Language – What we can learn from L2 motivation research for DaF teaching”
• 2018, German as a Foreign Language Conference 2018 at Tongji University, Shanghai; organised by the Goethe-Institut China and the German Studies Advisory Committee of the Chinese Ministry of Education on the topic: “German as a Foreign Language – New Opportunities for German Studies in China” (20–22 September 2018), keynote lecture: “On the Importance of Empirical Foreign Language Research and Research Methodology in the Field of German as a Foreign Language”, chair of the working group “Career Opportunities for Young DaF Teachers in Higher Education” (moderation and presentation of findings)
• 2018, Zhejiang International Studies University in Hangzhou, China; Department of German Studies at the Centre for German Studies; 19 September 2018, lecture: ‘An insight into the research fields of German as a Foreign Language. Example: Motivation’
• 2018, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon; Department of German Studies at the Faculty of Arts, Literature and Humanities; 23 May 2018, lecture: “Dhoch3 – Impulses for German teacher training at universities worldwide”
• 2018, DAAD. Dhoch3 project launch, 4 May 2018 in Berlin, panel discussion: Curricular developments and regional adaptation in the context of Dhoch3
• 2018, 10th Conference for German Teachers and German Studies Academics in Belarus, Minsk, on the theme ‘Into the Future with German’ (19–21 April 2018), plenary lecture: ‘Talent and/or Motivation? On the explanatory power of selected factors for successful foreign language learning’, panel discussion on the topic ‘More languages – more opportunities in the future?’
• 2017, University of Tehran, Iran, Research Institute for World Languages (ReCeLLT), 10 September 2017, lecture: “Approaches, Concepts and Methods in L2 Motivation Research”
• 2017, University of Fribourg, Switzerland, International Symposium of German Teachers (IDT), 31 July–4 August 2017, keynote lecture: ‘Trends in the field of German as a foreign and Second Language – where do we stand today and where do we want to go?
• 2017, DAAD Bonn in collaboration with the University of Bonn,Symposium for DAAD lecturers and foreign language lecturers from the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn at the Gustav-Stresemann-Institut in Bonn, 18 July 2017, presentation and workshop on the topic: “Tertiary language acquisition: on learning and teaching further foreign languages”
• 2017, launch of the continuing professional development initiative ‘German as a Second Language’ organised by the Mercator Institute for Language Promotion and German as a Second Language at the University of Cologne, 20 March 2017, panel discussion: ‘DaZ under discussion: perspectives and outlooks’
• 2017, Annual Conference of the Austrian Association for German as a Foreign/Second Language (ÖDaF) at the University of Teacher Education, Vienna, 17–18 March 2017, on the topic ‘“You don’t learn with your head alone”. On the role of emotions in DaF/DaZ teaching’, keynote lecture: ‘Affective factors in L2 acquisition: On the role of attitudes, motivation and anxiety’
• 2016, Annual Conference of the Korean Society for German as a Foreign Language at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, 19 November 2016, on the topic “German as a Foreign Language and Key Competences: Creative, Autonomous and Cooperative”, Keynote lecture: ‘The promotion of key competences in German as a Foreign Language (DaF) teaching: two sides of the same coin?’
• 2016, Symposium (Ministry of Schools and Further Education of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Mercator Foundation): ‘Teacher training in North Rhine-Westphalia in the context of the current refugee migration’;1 July 2016, Gelsenkirchen Science Park, panel discussion: “Teacher Training and Refugee Migration: What Needs to Be Done”
• 2016, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon: International Symposium: “Cultural Studies: Concepts, Theories, Practices and Challenges”; 5–7 April 2016, lecture: “International German Studies and German as a Foreign Language: How do they fit together?”
• 2015, DAAD, Bonn: Symposium for project managers and coordinators of the German Studies Institute Partnerships (GIP) and the doctoral schools in the Vladimir Admoni Programme (VAP); 29 November–1 December 2015, presentation: “Strengthening academic training for German language teachers by supporting early-career researchers, particularly in the fields of foreign language didactics and language teaching and learning research, using the example of the GIP Bielefeld/Yaoundé, Cameroon”
• 2015, Goethe-Institut Sweden in Stockholm, conference on the topic “Why and how do we learn languages?” – “Why and how do people learn languages?”, 23 November 2015, Lecture: “Reasons and motivation for learning additional foreign languages at school – including in Sweden”
• 2015, Goethe-Institut China & Guidance Committee for German Studies of the Chinese Ministry of Education, 8 May2015 at Tongji University, Shanghai: 2015 German teachers’ training course on the topic “Academic work and empirical research in the field of German as a Foreign Language”, Lecture 1: How does one initiate research in the field of German as a Foreign Language? The complexity of research subjects and research questions – research approaches and quality criteria”, Lecture 2: “The research process: challenges of empirical research. Planning empirical studies”
• 2015, Goethe-Institut China & Guidance Committee for German Studies of the Chinese Ministry of Education, 6 May2015 in Beijing: EduCamp 2015: ‘Pathways to German Teacher Qualification’, opening lecture: ‘The Significance of German Teacher Qualification: On the Importance of Training in Foreign Language Studies’
• 2015, Regional German Teachers’ Conference organised by the Hungarian Association of German Teachers at Andrássy University, Budapest, (17–19 April 2015) on the topic: “Redesigning the curriculum for university-level German as a Foreign Language (DaF) teacher training. Ways to ensure young researchers in foreign language didactics”, Plenary lecture: “Empirical research in foreign language didactics: On the importance of training in research methodology”
• 2015, First symposium of the Cameroonian Association of German Teachers on the topic ‘German language teaching and the training of Germanists in Africa – what impact can this have?’ (6–7April 2015), University of Yaoundé I, École Normale Supérieure/Département de Langues Étrangères, Cameroon, keynote lecture: ‘What teachers should know about learners and learning: Recent findings from language teaching and learning research’
• 2015, University of Osnabrück, writing workshop at the Language Centre. Symposium: ‘Supporting L2 writing competencies at German universities: English and German as a Second Language’” / “Supporting L2 Writing Competencies at German Universities: English and German as Second or Foreign Languages” (12–13 March 2015), Keynote lecture: “Academic Writing in German as a Second Language: Challenges for International Students – and the Internationalised German University”
• 2014, University of Cologne, Mercator Institute for Language Promotion and German as a Second Language: 3rd Round Table ‘DaZ modules in teacher training in North Rhine-Westphalia’ (28 November 2014), presentation: ‘The Relationship between DaZ and Inclusion’, panel discussion: ‘Inclusion and DaZ in Teacher Training – Synergies and Differences’
• 2014, University of Leipzig, Herder Institute: ‘50 Years of the Journal Deutsch als Fremdsprache. Panel discussion and celebratory event on the topic “The subject of German as a Foreign Language – Current Status, Academic Developments and Future Prospects”’ (7 November 2014), statement and panel discussion: ‘Development prospects and dynamics in the university subject of German as a Foreign Language in German-speaking countries’
• 2014, University of Duisburg-Essen; symposium ‘Language proficiency of children from migrant backgrounds and issues in language acquisition/language teaching – The German education system and early childhood language support and language acquisition in pre-school”, organised by the German-Turkish newspaper “Die Gaste” (18 October 2014), lecture: “Pre-school language support: a success story?”
• 2014, University of Yaoundé I, École Normale Supérieure/Département de Langues Étrangères, Cameroon (2 June 2014), presentation (jointly with Heike Brandl): ‘Academic writing in German as a foreign language – (Why) are German language courses needed alongside degree programmes?’
• 2014, Goethe-Institut Yaoundé, Cameroon – Educational Cooperation (31 May 2014), lecture and workshop with key educators on the topic: ‘(More) Oral Practice in German as a Foreign Language (DaF) Teaching’
• 2013, University of Fribourg/Switzerland, Institute for Multilingualism, Multilingualism PhD Programme, PhD student workshop ‘Multi-method approaches in foreign language research’, 4 October 2013, presentation: ‘Multi-method approaches in foreign language research: opportunities and challenges’
• 2013, University of Bolzano, Italy, International Symposium of German Teachers (IDT), 29 July–3 August 2013, presentation: ‘Approaches, Concepts and Methods in L2 Motivation Research’, panel discussion: ‘German at School, University and in the Workplace’
• 2013, University of Leipzig, Herder Institute, guest lecture on 19 June 2013, presentation: ‘Qualitative Data Analysis: A Struggle in the Data Jungle or Methodologically Controlled Theory Formation?’
• 2013, Goethe-Institut Yaoundé, Cameroon – Educational cooperation (18 May 2013), lecture and workshop with key stakeholders on the topic: “Why and for what purpose do people still learn German as a foreign language today? Motivation, motivating learners and maintaining interest in learning in German as a Foreign Language (DaF) lessons”
• 2013, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main in cooperation with the University of Duisburg-Essen (4–5 January 2013): “Final Sprint for (Doctoral) Thesis Candidates” – Symposium for doctoral candidates in foreign language didactics in the final stages of their research, lecture: “CVs and academic careers at universities. Assessment criteria for (doctoral) theses in foreign language didactics”
• 2012, City of Bielefeld, Town Hall (6 November 2012): Laudation delivered as part of the public award ceremony for the 2012 Bielefeld Integration Awards under the motto ‘Integration starts small’
• 2012, Second Bielefeld Education Day (City of Bielefeld) on 26 October 2010 on the topic ‘Early childhood education’, with a focus on: Language support in early years education, presentation: ‘The significance of the language of instruction and associated difficulties for children from migrant backgrounds’
• 2012, 4th Conference on German as a Foreign Language in Greece, Pallini/Athens, Greece: ‘Lehren und Lernen [Centre for teaching and learning]’ (7/8 September 2012), opening lecture: “Learner variables in foreign language learning”, workshop: “Motivation and Motivating Learners”
• 2012, Lions Club Bielefeld-Marswidis, (23 May 2012), lecture: ‘Language support for children and young people from migrant backgrounds: insights from practice and research’
• 2012, 7th Conference for German Teachers and German Studies Academics in Belarus, Minsk, ‘Learning German: An Investment in the Future’ (18–21 April 2012), Lecture: ‘Why German is (still) being learnt – an international research project’, Seminar: ‘Motivation and Motivating in German as a Foreign Language (DaF) Lessons’
• 2011, University of Duisburg–Essen in cooperation with the Western Ruhr Area branch of the Society for the German Language (GfdS) (22 December 2011), presentation: Why do people still learn German as a foreign language today? Findings from motivation research
• 2011, 2nd Siberian German Teachers’ Conference, University of Irkutsk, Russia (10 December 2011), Keynote lecture: ‘German teaching in transition – research into motivation for learning German as a foreign language’, workshop: ‘Motivation, encouraging motivation and maintaining interest in learning German’
• 2011, International Association of German Teachers, working meeting in Winterthur, Switzerland (1–5 August 2011), Institute for Language in Work and Education, Department of Applied Linguistics at Zurich University of Applied Sciences, lecture with workshop: ‘Why and for what purpose do people still learn German as a foreign language today?’
• 2011, University of Bremen, lecture series ‘Empirical classroom research in the Master’s thesis – but how?’ (1 June 2011), lecture: “First steps in empirical research: identifying a topic, research planning, decisions on research methodology”
• 2011, Madrid, Spain. VII National Congress of Official Language Schools (EOI Congress), (31 March–2 April 2011), Plenary lecture: “Acquisition, Maintenance and Loss of Foreign Languages”
• 2011, Early-Career Researchers’ Conference “Empirical Methods in German as a Foreign and Second Language” at Bielefeld University (24–26 February 2011), Plenary lecture: “On Research Methodology in German as a Foreign and Second Language (DaF/DaZ)”, Participation in the panel discussion: “State-of-the-art in DaF/DaZ Research Methodology and Desiderata”
• 2011, DAAD symposium “German Studies in Dialogue: Future Issues in German Studies” with partner countries France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, 16–20 February 2011 in Weimar, lecture: ‘Motivation and Motivating Students to Learn German as a Foreign Language: Foreign Language Learning and German Studies in Non-German-Speaking Countries’
• 2010, University of Odense, Denmark, Den Danske Germanistforening, Annual Meeting (12 November 2010), lecture: “Motivational Research in German as a Foreign Language: An International Study”
• 2010, Federal Office for Migration and Refugees and the Goethe-Institut: Nuremberg Days for Integration (17–18 June 2010), Keynote presentation and workshop: “Continuous Language Support”, panel discussion for the closing session: “Is successful integration measurable? Language and education”
• 2010, Freiburg University of Education, Professional Association for German as a Foreign Language (FaDaF), 37th Annual Conference on German as a Foreign Language (13–15 May 2010), plenary lecture: “Why German is (still) learnt – research into motivation for learning German as a foreign language”
• 2009, Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, International German Teachers’ Conference (IDT) (3–8 August 2009), Keynote Lecture: ‘And yet they learn it! Motivation for German as a Foreign Language’
• 2009, Bielefeld, East Westphalia Talks on the topic ‘Integration! But how?’; organised by idiz e.V. (19 June 2009), lecture: “Integration and language. German as a Second Language – multilingualism: Do they go together?”
• 2009, Goethe-Institut, Beirut, Lebanon, 30 May 2009, teacher training/lecture with seminar: ‘Well motivated is half the battle? A seminar on motivation, encouraging motivation and sustaining interest in learning German as a foreign language’
• 2009, Bielefeld, specialist conference ‘MitSprache in Bielefeld – Pathways to language education’ on 9May 2009 at Stieghorst Comprehensive School; organised by the Office for Integration and Intercultural Affairs of the City of Bielefeld, plenary lecture: “Bielefeld: A Work in Progress – A Preliminary Assessment and Prospects for Language Support (DaZ) for Children and Young People with a Migrationbackgrounds”
• 2009, University of Bremen, Second Bremen Symposium on Autonomous Foreign Language Learning (6–7 March2009), participation in the panel discussion: ‘Autonomy and Motivation’
• 2009, Bielefeld University, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research (2–3 March 2009), symposium on ‘Study-related support for academic writing in German as a foreign language; organised by the Professional Association for German as a Foreign Language (FaDaF), presentation: ‘10 years of language support alongside studies in German as an academic language at PunktUm Bielefeld’
• 2008, University of Darmstadt (18 July 2008), postgraduate colloquium on German as a Foreign Language. Guest lecture followed by a workshop: “Transcription, analysis and triangulation of qualitative data in empirical foreign language research”
• 2008, University of Bern, Switzerland; National Symposium for German Teachers (20–21 June 2008) on the theme “Teaching German: Between DaF, DaZ and DaM”, plenary lecture: “DaF and DaZ learners: similarities and differences from the perspective of multilingualism research”
• 2008, University of Hamburg, Department of Educational Science (3 June 2008), guest lecture as part of the lecture series ‘Empirical research in the state examination thesis – but how?’, lecture: ‘First steps in empirical research: identifying a topic, research planning, decisions on research methodology’
• 2008, University of Düsseldorf, Professional Association for German as a Foreign Language (FaDaF), 36th Annual Conference on German as a Foreign Language (22–24 May 2008), presentation: ‘Identifying a Topic, Research Planning, Decisions on Research Methodology’
• 2008, Bielefeld University, Children’s University (Years 3 and 4) on 15 February 2008; together with Sevilen Demirkaya, presentation: “Why is it different when Mehmet learns German and Marie learns English?”
• 2007, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, German Society for Foreign Language Research (DGFF), 22nd Congress on Foreign Language Teaching on the theme ‘Learning Languages – Educating People’ (3–6 October 2007), presentation (together with Sevilen Demirkaya and Nazan Gültekin): ‘Pre-school language support for children with a migrant background: the Bielefeld MIKI research project”
• 2007, Free University of Berlin, Professional Association for German as a Foreign Language (FaDaF), 35th Annual Conference on German as a Foreign Language (31 May–2 June 2007), Plenary lecture: ‘German as a Foreign Language (DaF)/German as a Second Language (DaZ) and empirical research: changing challenges’
• 2006, DAAD Bonn, German Studies Conference for South-East Europe, 1–7 October 2006, Bologna Process workshop, Presentation 1: “German as a Foreign Language at Bielefeld University: An example of a consecutive Bachelor’s/master course”, Presentation 2: ‘Practical Relevance – Language Acquisition’
• 2006, University of Tunis, Tunisia, 21 April 2006, jointly with Philippe Blanchard, presentation: ‘Higher Education Reform in Germany: The Bielefeld Model”
• 2006, Bielefeld University, Children’s University (Years 3 and 4) on 24 March 2006; in collaboration with Sevilen Demirkaya, presentation: “Why is it different when Mehmet learns German and Marie learns English?”
• 2005, University of Hanover; symposium ‘Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in German as a Foreign Language. Problems and Perspectives’; organised by the Professional Association for German as a Foreign Language (FaDaf) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) (17–19 November 2005), lecture: ‘DaF/DaZ degree programmes and degree programmes incorporating DaF/DaZ in Germany: An Attempt at a Country Report”
• 2005, University of Osnabrück; Regional DGFF Symposium: “Synergy Effects in Foreign Language Research: Empirical Approaches, Problems, Results” (11–12 November 2005), presentation: ‘Generating theory with qualitative data – is it possible?’
• 2005, University of Munich; German Society for Foreign Language Research (DGFF); 21st Congress on Foreign Language Teaching at the University of Munich on the theme “Languages Create Opportunities” (3–6 October 2005), presentation: ‘Language-learning biographies in empirical foreign language research. Motivation research in German as a foreign language’
• 2005, University of Graz, Austria; International German Teachers’ Conference (IDV) (1–6 August 2005), keynote lecture: ‘Learners of German as a Foreign Language – all a bit exotic? Motivation research and German as a foreign language’, Participation in the panel discussion ‘Motivation for German – Motivation through German – Motivation in the classroom’
• 2005, University of Freiburg, DAAD and HRK symposium on ‘German Studies in the European Higher Education Area. Study structures, quality assurance and internationalisation’ (16–18 June 2005), presentation: “Reformed German as a Foreign Language degree programmes at Bielefeld University: Bachelor’s degree programme in German as a Foreign Language and master course in German as a Foreign Language and German Studies”
• 2004, Humboldt University of Berlin: “Function, Form and Outcomes of the Promotion of Young Researchers in Foreign Language Research. First Workshop for Dialogue between Young Researchers and University Lecturers in Germany”, presentation: ‘Identifying Research Topics, Research Planning and Decisions on Research Methodology’
• 2004, Goethe-Institut New York, USA, on 18 September 2004, Trainer Network Seminar on the topic ‘Theories of First and Second Language Acquisition’
• 2004, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Bonn, Summer Meeting of Lecturers, 14–16 July 2004), lecture and workshop: “Why German? Motives and motivations for learning a foreign language and studying German abroad”
• 2004, University of Wuppertal, lecture series “On the Lehren und Lernen [Centre for teaching and learning] of foreign languages” (14 July 2004), Lecture: ‘The socio-psychology of foreign language learning’
• 2004, Bielefeld University, Professional Association for German as a Foreign Language (FaDaF), 32nd Annual Conference on German as a Foreign Language (20–22 May 2003), Lecture: ‘L2 Motivation Research and German as a Foreign Language (with Exemplary Country Analyses)’
• 2004, Collège Français, Fianarantsoa, Madagascar, teacher training on 6 April 2004. Lecture: “Individual differences between learners and learner autonomy”
• 2004, Goethe Centre/Cercle Germano-Malagasy, Antananarivo, Madagascar, teacher training, 31 March–1 April 2004, presentation: “Individual differences among learners and learner autonomy”
• 2003, Bielefeld, Brackweder Town Hall, SPD discussion event on 19 November 2003 on the topic: (No) Chance for Migrant Children?, presentation: “(No) Chance for Migrant Children? Opportunities through Language.”
• 2003, University of Göttingen, Language Teaching Centre, Colloquium on Modern Foreign Language Acquisition: Interculturality – Teaching and Learning Methods – Multimedia, on the occasion of Klaus Vogel’s retirement, 11 October 2003, lecture: ‘Acquisition and Loss of Foreign Languages: Two Sides of the Same Coin?’
• 2003, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main. 20th Congress on Foreign Language Teaching, organised by the German Society for Foreign Language Research (DGFF) (1–4 October 2003), presentation in the working group ‘Learner Constructions – Concepts of Humanity and Research Methods’: ‘A learner is a learner is a learner is a learner. Individual differences in foreign language learning’
• 2003, University of Kassel, guest lecture (8 July 2003), presentation: “The factor of motivation in foreign language research”
• 2003, University of Duisburg-Essen, Professional Association for German as a Foreign Language (FaDaF), 31st Annual Conference on German as a Foreign Language (29–31 May 2003), presentation (jointly with Beatrix Hinrichs): “The Bielefeld Project ‘Remedial Teaching for Pupils whose Mother Tongue is Not German’ and its Potential within the Reform of Teacher Training”
• 2003, University of Göttingen, Language Teaching Centre, 10th Göttingen Symposium on Foreign Language Education in Higher Education on the topic ‘Emotion and Cognition in Foreign Language Research’ (5–7 March 2003), presentation: ‘On the relevance of qualitative data in recent motivation research’
• 2002, University of Hamburg, Habilitation lecture: ‘The learner as a lone figure. Implications for the theory, empirical research and practice of teaching and learning foreign languages, with particular reference to German as a foreign and Second Language’
• 2001, Dresden University of Technology, 19th Congress of Foreign Language Teachers, organised by the DGFF (4–6 October 2001), workshop ‘Research Designs in Foreign Language Research’, presentation: ‘Qualitative Research – and Nothing Else?’
• 2001, University of Kiel, Professional Association for German as a Foreign Language (FaDaF), 29th Annual Conference on German as a Foreign Language (24–26 May 2001), Presentation: “Aspects of learner language, language acquisition and multilingualism research in teacher training: some suggestions”
• 2001, Bielefeld University, Faculty of Linguistics and Literary Studies (24 April 2001), Presentation: ‘Learner autonomy. A fashionable concept, its possible foundations in learning theory and some implications for the theory, empirical research and practice of teaching and learning German as a foreign language’
• 2001, University of Göttingen, Language Teaching Centre, 9th Göttingen Symposium on Foreign Language Training in Higher Education on the topic “Grammar and Foreign Language Teaching” (7–9 March 2001), presentation: “Encountering Learner Language in E-mail”
• 2000, University of Málaga, Spain, FAGE Congress, 3rd Congress of the Federation of Associations of Germanists in Spain (21–23 September 2000), plenary lecture: ‘The role of emotions and cognition in the acquisition of German as a foreign language: recent empirical research and implications for practice”
• 2000, University of Münster, Professional Association for German as a Foreign Language (FaDaF), German Teachers’ Conference (14–16 September 2000), presentation: ‘Conducting research for and on one’s own teaching practice: suggestions for research into teacher practice’
• 2000, University of Dortmund, Professional Association for German as a Foreign Language (FaDaF), 28th Annual Conference on German as a Foreign Language (1–3 June2000), presentation: “German as a Foreign Language – German as a Second Language – German as an Element of Multilingualism: Some Fundamental Differences and Similarities”
• 2000, University of Hamburg, Central Institute for Foreign Languages, 2nd Hamburg May Conference on Language Teaching Research (26–28 May 2000), presentation: ‘Acquisition, maintenance and loss of a foreign language: methodological considerations and initial pilot studies’
• 2000, Studienkolleg Hamburg, Regional Conference on German as a Foreign Language (22 January 2000), lecture: ‘From classroom reflection to action research. Suggestions for the systematic reflection on the teaching and learning of German as a foreign language’
• 2000, University of Hamburg, lecture series on Intercultural Education. Fundamental pedagogical and didactic issues (11 January 2000), lecture: ‘German as a Foreign Language – German as a Second Language. Some fundamental differences and similarities’
• 1999, University of Dortmund, German Society for Foreign Language Research (DGFF), 18th Congress on Foreign Language Didactics (4–6 October 1999), lecture: ‘Individual Differences in Foreign Language Acquisition: the Lone Wolf Hypothesis’
• 1999, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, 30th Annual Conference of the Society for Applied Linguistics (GAL) e.V. (30 September–2 October 1999), presentation: ‘Some Specific Features of Learner-Produced Conversational Data’
• 1999, University of Regensburg, Professional Association for German as a Foreign Language (FaDaF), 27th Annual Conference on German as a Foreign Language (3–5 June 1999), presentation (jointly with Karin Aguado): “Empirical research: from practice for practice?” (Keynote lecture on the theme ‘Empirical research and its implications for practice’), participation in the panel discussion ‘Which research methodology for practice?’
• 1999, University of Göttingen, Language Teaching Centre, 8th Göttingen Symposium on Foreign Language Education in Higher Education on the topic ‘Standards and Foreign Language Teaching’ (3–5 March 1999), presentation: ‘On the role of self-evaluative perception and the learner’s subjective theories’
• , 1999, Salzau near Kiel, Symposium of the KVFF, Conference of the Chairpersons of Subject-Specific Didactics Associations, on the topic ‘Teaching and Learning Research in Subject-Specific Didactics’ (25–27 February 1999), presentation: ‘Individual Differences in Foreign Language Acquisition: the “Lone Wolf”Hypothesis”
• 1998, University of Hamburg, Central Institute for Foreign Languages, Hamburg May Conference on Language Teaching Research (21–23 May1998), presentation: ‘Subjective Theories and Consciousness in Research into Foreign Language Acquisition’
• 1998, Karpacz (Poland), organised by the Görlitz Circle, German–Polish Conference for Young Researchers, theme: ‘Glottodidactics – Foreign Language Acquisition and Related Disciplines’ (14–17 May 1998), Presentation: ‘Individual Differences in Second Language Acquisition: the Loner Hypothesis’
• 1997, Bielefeld University, Faculty of Linguistics and Literary Studies, Department of German as a Foreign Language, Colloquium on Research Methodology in Foreign and Second Language Acquisition Research (27–28 November 1997), presentation: “The Interpretative Multi-Method Approach”
• 1997, Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Institute for German Studies Abroad/German as a Foreign Language, Colloquium on Foreign and Second Language Acquisition Research (23–24 January 1997), Presentation 1: “On the Study of Individual Differences in Foreign Language Acquisition”, Presentation 2: ‘Empirical Research Methods’

Awards

• 2013: “Deichmann Prize for Integration (North Rhine-Westphalia regional winner)” for the project “Remedial Teaching for Pupils with Non-German Languages of Origin” / Association for the Support of Pupils with Non-German Languages of Origin
• 2012: “Bielefeld Integrationation Prize” for the project “Remedial Teaching for Pupils with Non-German Languages of Origin”
• 1999: “Göttingen Prize for Foreign Language Acquisition Research” (award for (doctoral) thesis)