German as a Foreign and Second Language Major Subject (Academic)

The department of German as a Foreign and Second Language specializes in language teaching and cultural education in Germany and abroad. The University of Bielefeld is the only university in North Rhine-Westphalia to offer German as a Foreign and Second Language (DaF/DaZ) as a Major and Minor Subject Bachelor degree programme.

Students in our Major Subject Bachelor degree programme gain a deeper understanding of approaches to teaching German as a foreign and second language, of German linguistics, of cultural studies as well as of second language acquisition research. Students apply the knowledge and skills they acquire in their course work in an internship. Our domestic students additionally learn a language unrelated to German as well as teach courses in tandem. We also offer support to our international students in developing their skills in written and spoken academic German. Our students also have the opportunity to complete part of their studies abroad, through either a semester-long ERASMUS exchange program and/or an internship outside of Germany. Our department offers a variety of financial supports for these international experiences.

Graduates of our program teach German language (GFL) and culture to teens and adults in diverse institutions for continuing education and in language schools. Our graduates are also employed in elementary and secondary schools, supporting students with other first languages to acquire German, either in preparatory classes or via additional language-learning support.
Our graduates also work in industry, particularly in the tourism sector and fields of international cooperation. After finishing the Major Subject Bachelor degree you are welcome to study the Master German as a Foreign Language and German Studies.

Students in our Major Subject Bachelor degree programme choose between one of three options:
Theoretical and Practical Aspects of Teaching German as a Foreign or Second Language
In this option, students develop the practical skills for teaching German as a foreign and second language, as well as reflect on preparation, implementation, and evaluation of language programs, both for teaching German as a foreign language abroad and German as a second language domestically. This option places a particular focus on issues of didactics and second language acquisition.
Cultural Mediation: Theory and Practice
This option explores the cultural, sociocultural, and sociopolitical aspects relevant to second language acquisition and teaching. Students taking this option perform cross-cultural analyses, thereby developing their cultural sensitivity and reflective skills. Of particular interest in this specialization is a reflective approach to inter- and transcultural issues.
Approaches and methods in teaching, of German for specific academic, technical and professional purposes
In this option students develop the fundamental skills needed to analyse the use of specialist and professional language. The goal of this option is for students to acquire the skills to prepare speakers of German as a foreign or second language for their work in various specialist and professional fields, and to develop teaching concepts and materials for specific professional and specialist contexts.