Research subject Language Education, German

The Section for German conducts studies in language didactics, particularly in the field of German as a foreign language. Our researchers work in various research areas such as multilingualism and second and third language learning, cultural learning and digital media in language teaching.

The research mostly concerns language teaching in higher education, for example the motivation to study German or how different forms of teaching (online, on-campus, synchronous, asynchronous) can be combined in a meaningful way. Other research areas concern multilingualism, such as the use of multilingual didactic concepts in the teaching of German as a foreign language in schools or how students in language programmes reflect on their multilingualism. Research is also conducted on how AI tools are used when students write texts in German and how students evaluate the use of AI. Research on cultural learning examines cultural learning processes, the value of historical topics and memory studies perspectives in teaching, and the implicit work with value base that characterises the seminar room.

Our researchers are active in various networks, both internationally and nationally, for example in the Swedish Network for Empirical Research in German as a Foreign Language. Within the framework of the various research projects, collaborations take place with, among others, the University of Turku, JLU Giessen, LMU Munich and the Herder Institute at the University of Leipzig.