PunktUm

As part of the PunktUm module 23-PU-A2 Reception and Production of Academic Texts in German as a Foreign Language, the course Reading, Evaluating and Summarising Academic Texts Systematically is offered every semester. Participants learn about different types of texts and their functions in specialised teaching and research as well as how to deal with academic literature by learning and applying strategies for systematic reading, critical evaluation and summarising.

In order to support students in their individual autonomous learning processes, the course concept is expanded to include e-activities, which comprise further input phases, tasks and concrete application exercises.

Measures

• Creation of explanatory videos on various aspects of academic reading and writing
• Creation of short videos with expert interviews (Bielefeld academics reflect on reading during their studies, teach reading strategies, encourage students to read actively).
• Development of e-activities for dealing with texts in LernraumPlus

Benefits of the project

Knowledge relevant to writing is imparted and application is made possible. As a result, students improve their academic reading skills and apply what they have learnt to current and future writing projects.

Contact us

Marta Kaplinska-Zajontz Coordination of academic language and academic skills for German-language degree programmes

• Preparation for the German language examination for university entrance (DSH)
• German as part of NAWIOS (Natural Sciences Orientation Programme)

Das Projekt "Lehrkräfte Plus" wird gemeinsam mit der Bielefeld School of Education (BiSEd) aufgelegt und von der Bertelsmann-Stiftung gefördert.

"Lehrkräfte Plus" richtet sich an geflüchtete Lehrkräfte, die in einem einjährigen Programm auf eine Tätigkeit als Vertretungslehrkraft im Schuldienst vorbereitet werden. PunktUm ist für die sprachlichen Anteile des Programms zuständig, die sowohl die Studienvorbereitung (DSH) als auch die Studienbegleitung umfassen

Ziele des Projekts:

• Bestandsaufnahme der Kommunikationsformen im Kontext Schule
• Optimale Vorbereitung auf das sprachliche Handeln von Lehrkräften auf der Basis empirischer Daten bzw. authentischer Materialien
• Systematische Erarbeitung von Texten, Diskurstypen und Strukturen der deutschen Wissenschaftssprache
• Entwicklung von Materialien zu den Bereichen Berufs- und Wissenschaftssprache

Das Projekt "Lehrkräfte Plus" hat eine Laufzeit vom 01.08.2017 bis 30.08.2020.

Publikation: Wichmann, Martin (angenommen/erscheint 2019): Berufsbezogenes Deutsch im Kontext Schule - Ideen für die Unterrichtspraxis am Beispiel des Projekts Lehrkräfte Plus. In: Tagungsband FaDaF Tagung 2018 in Mannheim (Arbeitstitel). Steinmetz S, Strömsdörfer D, Willmann M, Wulff N (Eds); Göttingen: Universitätsverlag Göttingen: 19 Seiten.

Kontakt: Janina Jasche

Weitere Informationen zum Projekt finden Sie hier.

A resource-saving evaluation of student texts and the targeted promotion of students' text product-related skills are at the centre of the 'Text Competence' project.

The joint project between PunktUm and 'richtig einsteigen. utilises the synergy effects resulting from the previous work of the two institutions. The 'Text Competence' project is aimed at teaching staff at Bielefeld University who have questions about the assessment of linguistically conspicuous student work and would like to support their students in revising their texts.

The aims of the project are,

• to take stock of the scientific and didactic discourse on the subject of 'academic writing',
• to develop further training concepts for teaching staff,
• to initiate a university-wide communication process on assessment criteria for student texts,
• to establish different models for text feedback and
• develop materials that support teaching staff in supervising and advising students and give students support for self-help.

The "Textkompetenz" project will run from 1 August 2017 to 31 December 2020 and is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

Contact: Heike Brandl

Informationen zu den Sommerdeutschkursen

Background and purpose of the project

Since 2013, there has been a German Studies Institute Partnership(GIP) between the Department of German as a Foreign Language / German Studies at the Faculty of Linguistics and Literary Studies in Bielefeld and the Université de Yaoundé I (UYI) and the École normale Supérieure (ENS), which Prof. Dr Claudia Riemer is responsible for on the Bielefeld side.

Within this framework, Prof. Dr Claudia Riemer, who is also the academic director of the German language centre PunktUm, and her Cameroonian colleagues came up with the idea of making PunktUm experiences and concepts for expanding literary skills for studying German as a foreign language fruitful for both sides.

The collaboration began in 2014 with a lecture and training trip by Professor Claudia Riemer and Heike Brandl, the head of PunktUm and an expert in individual writing counselling and the teaching of speaking, reading and writing skills for the university domain.

Since the beginning of 2016, members of the writing consultancy team that emerged from this initiative, in particular Dr Maryse Nsangou-Njikam, have been continuing the work that began back then together with PunktUm employee and DAAD language assistant Lisa Mauritz: PunktUm workshop concepts are being adapted to the Cameroonian learning context and implemented for the first time. In addition, further training in individual writing counselling for student multipliers is offered, enabling students at both universities to be offered individual writing counselling for the first time.

Measures of the project

The courses are primarily aimed at students on the Master's course in German Studies. The Master's thesis is usually the first academic paper written by students on the programme. However, the events are open to interested students of all subject-related semesters.

• Workshop "Academic writing in German as a foreign language"
• Writing counselling training for student multipliers
• Individual writing counselling
• Writing group "creative writing"

Contact persons: Lisa Mauritz, Heike Brandl, M.A. or Prof. Dr Claudia Riemer
Project duration: Since summer semester 2014

Nähere Informationen zu den konkreten Angebote finden Sie hier.

Background

Since 2008, PunktUm-Endspurt has been supporting international students on degree programmes that are coming to an end on their way to graduation. Over 200 students who accepted the course and counselling offer have successfully completed their studies.

It is now apparent that the standard period of study is also being exceeded in numerous cases in the BA and MA degree programmes. There are many reasons for this. In contrast to the degree programmes that are being phased out, however, there is no time pressure from the university. However, there are often disputes with the immigration authorities regarding residence issues or student financing. In any case, completing a degree programme quickly leads to noticeable relief.

Offers

The special study situation of international students in higher semesters requires a range of different programmes:

• Individual writing counselling
• Workshops on writing final theses
• Individual counselling on written and oral examinations (focus: language, requirements, etc.)
• Support with the correction of final theses
• Support in communicating with lecturers
• Counselling and referral to other internal university service facilities depending on the problem area
• Informing lecturers about this offer
• Workshop on writing applications for appointments or further studies

Co-operation partner: In cooperation with the Endspurt project of the ZSB of SL_K and the International Office

Contact person

If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Heike Brandl.

Background and purpose of the project

International students are admitted to the degree programme upon successful completion of one of the relevant German examinations for university admission. This is a solid linguistic basis for the start of the degree programme, but students must also gradually acquire the conventions and linguistic characteristics of the community of the respective subject or the general academic language in order to successfully master all the communicative requirements of the degree programme. The German language centre PunktUm provides a comprehensive, modularly structured range of courses that can be taken alongside your studies. Previously, it consisted exclusively of face-to-face courses. The potential and additional learning and practice opportunities offered by a complementary virtual learning environment have not yet been utilised. Nowadays, digital media have a firm place in teaching. They help to deepen, reflect on and improve the content of lessons regardless of when they take place. In addition, they provide tools for evaluation and feedback as well as suitable framework conditions for testing new forms of teaching/learning interactively.

Description of the project

The PunktUm virtual learning platform expands face-to-face teaching in the field of German as a scientific language and the teaching of scientific communication skills with e-learning options. The platform provides a diverse and differentiated range of learning opportunities with which foreign language students can work on further developing their German language skills. The platform also makes an important contribution to quality assurance within the courses.

The course participants are encouraged by the learning platform to continue to engage with the course content outside and after the end of face-to-face lessons. The technologies also enable measures such as the formation of virtual learning groups or interactive exchange between fellow students or with the PunktUm teachers.

Another component of the project is the development of an internal staff wiki. With the support of the wiki, new teachers can quickly familiarise themselves with the PunktUm language concepts and participate in the further development and optimisation of the concepts with their own contributions.

The technical development of the service is being carried out in close cooperation with the Fachsprachenzentrum [Language Centre].

Project duration: 01.04.2012 to 31.03.2014

Project member: Magdalena Schröder M.A.

Project duration: 01.04.2010 to 30.09.2012

In order to increase the academic success rate of all students, Bielefeld University provides the necessary key competences, including for students with a history of migration.

By providing support in German as a second language during the course of study , while at the same time promoting the first language at an academic level, the programme contributes to the integration of students into their subjects and the development of their individual profiles. In addition, the project strengthens the special potential of students with a migration background, who can use their language skills and communication skills in both (or other modern) languages in their studies and appointments.

Background of the project

There are currently over 400 foreign students enrolled at Bielefeld University who have a German higher education entrance qualification but have only learnt German as a Second Language at an advanced age. The latter also applies to a statistically indeterminable group of students who are German nationals but have also learnt German as a Second Language because one or both of their parents is/are of foreign origin.

During their school education, the current students have acquired little explicit knowledge of the German language. Like many native speakers, they are inexperienced in the use of appropriate terminology, in the use of relevant reference works and thus in the targeted revision of academic text products. However, in our experience to date, text production skills improve significantly when appropriate knowledge and skills are taught and academic achievements are successfully realised.

With regard to language skills in the mother tongue, it can be stated that these are at a very high level. Balanced bilingualism, which makes it possible to switch from one language to the other in all linguistic areas without reaching the limits of expression, does not exist in many cases, especially in academic domains. For this reason, the project also promotes the further development of students' first languages (especially Turkish) at an academic level. Preliminary discussions with the students concerned revealed that this is very much desired for their own further academic and appointment profile development.

Description of the project

The above-mentioned goals are realised by

1. Development and evaluation of a concept for the promotion of academic language competences in the second language German (DaZ) during the course of study with simultaneous
2. Development and evaluation of a concept for the promotion of the first language (in particular Turkish) at the level of cognitive / academic language proficiency.
3. In addition, key competences relevant for studies and appointments are taught.
4. The acquisition of further foreign languages with a certificate is also promoted.
5. Various information and co-operation measures complement the content of the work.

Co-operation partners: International Office, Service Area SL_K5, Fachsprachenzentrum [Language Centre]

Language support programme for international students - concepts and materials

A guide for teachers of German as a foreign language.

Studying at university places high linguistic demands on all students. For foreign students, good academic and linguistic support is therefore an existentially important factor for the success of a degree programme, in addition to social conditions. Language competence is a "key competence" for all study activities:
This begins with practising academic working techniques such as listening and taking notes in lectures and seminars, active participation in discussions, reading and analysing specialist texts and finally culminates in the presentation of acquired knowledge in the form of presentations, oral examinations and written seminar papers and theses.

Bielefeld University is currently sharpening its international profile. To this end, it has already taken important steps as part of the transfer of all previous Magister, teacher training and Diplom degree programmes into a tiered study model (Bachelor / Master and PhD) and has implemented the requirements of the Bologna Agreement. In the context of these developments, the aim is also to increase the number of foreign students. At the same time, the university is pursuing the goal of teaching more key competences relevant to studying in order to increase students' chances of success.

With regard to foreign students, this is implemented through the development of a modularly structured "Language Support Programme for International Students and Doctoral Candidates". Tailored to the respective qualification phases (B.A., Master's, PhD) and with a broad spectrum of different offers, it supports students in solving all academic language requirements.

This "language support programme", funded by the DAAD within the framework of Profis, was developed and tested at Bielefeld University from October 2005 to March 2007. Looking back on this experience, we can draw a very positive balance of the project: The programmes were developed and implemented as planned. In final feedback, over 500 participating international students rated the content of the language support programme as very helpful in coping with the language requirements of their studies.

We will make the concepts and materials of the language support programme available to other German-speaking universities in this publication. We are currently preparing the didactic aspects of the project results and materials so that they can be published in book form with a CD (see outline).

The teaching concepts and materials presented in the publication will be directly applicable in interdisciplinary language teaching programmes on the academic language German. In the courses and workshops, international students learn academic language skills that lead them to write academic texts independently in a learner- and problem-centred way. The book thus makes an important contribution to improving language support for international students during their studies.

For teaching German at foreign universities, the handbook offers valuable information on the study situation and language requirements at German universities, making it a good way for lecturers to prepare foreign students for studying in Germany. In addition, the didactic concepts and teaching materials can be used with minor modifications in German-language degree programmes abroad.

Bielefeld University has decided to establish the language support programme for international students at the university in order to sustainably improve the language support provided to students during their studies. We are convinced that the Bielefeld model also offers other universities in Germany and abroad helpful concepts and impulses for improved language preparation and support for international students.

If you are interested in further information or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Please contact: Heike Brandl.

About the content of the publication:

Introduction

1. University policy starting point and its implementation at Bielefeld University

1.1 Internationalisation of universities
1.2 Complex problems of international students
1.3 Success rates of international students
1.4 Support network
1.5 Language support programme

2. Didactic principles and target groups of the Bielefeld Model

2.1 Didactic principles
2.1.1 Interdisciplinary teaching
2.1.2 Combination of workshops and courses with writing counselling
2.1.3 Need to adapt to the conditions at different universities

2.2 Problems
2.2.1 Time pressure on students
2.2.2 Deficits in the programme

2.3 Requirements for students
2.3.1 BA/MA
2.3.2 Doctoral students
2.3.3 Conclusion: Typical difficulties

3. Concept of the Bielefeld language support programme

3.1 Overall objectives of the language support programme

3.2 Individual modules and their objectives

3.3 Concepts and materials for BA/MA
3.3.1 Workshop on academic work and writing in intercultural comparison
3.3.2 Workshop on receiving and taking notes in lectures
3.3.3 Workshop on giving presentations
3.3.4 Workshop on writing seminar papers and theses
3.3.5 Workshop on preparing for written and oral examinations
3.3.6 Vocabulary and formulation training for academic texts

3.4 Concepts and materials for doctoral students
3.4.1 Workshop on academic work and writing in intercultural comparison
3.4.2 Workshop on giving academic presentations
3.4.3 Workshop on preparing for the defence
3.4.4 Academic language training for writing doctoral theses

3.5 Experiences and conclusions

4. Individual counselling on writing in a foreign language

4.1 Writing counselling approach for academic writing in a foreign language
4.2 Differentiation of writing counselling from neighbouring disciplines
4.3 Procedure and content of writing counselling in a foreign language
4.4 Quality assurance

Further information on the project can be found at

Language Support Programme for International Students at Bielefeld University (SPRUNGMARKE)

and in the following publications:

• Brandl, Heike (2008): Difficulties in writing academic texts in German as a foreign language: Writing didactic consequences for study support and preparation. In: Gutjahr, Jacqueline; Yu Xuemei (eds.): Aspekte der Studienvorbereitung und Studienbegleitung: Band mit Beiträgen zur chinesischen-deutschen Fachkonferenz vom 21.-22. Mai 2007 am Deutschkolleg - Zentrum zur Studienvorbereitung der Tongji-Universität in Shanghai.Online-Publikation (Dokument 10)
• Brandl, Heike; Brinkschulte, Melanie; Immich, Stephanie (2008): Language support programme for international students at Bielefeld University. In: Closta, Christoph; Ledec, Gabriela; Krischer, Barbara (eds.): Auf neuen Wegen. German as a foreign language in research and practice. Proceedings of the 35th Annual Conference of the Association of German as a Foreign Language 2007 in Berlin. Göttingen Universitätsverlag, in print.

University co-operation within the framework of PROFIS - funded by the DAAD

As part of the second PROFIS programme phase, the Bielefeld project is cooperating with various universities and supporting the implementation of language learning opportunities for international students to accompany their studies.

Partners:

Language Learning Centre of the University of Bonn

 

More information coming soon!

 

If you are interested in the language support programme and the adoption of modules, please contact Heike Brandl.

PROFIS workshop at Bielefeld University - funded by the DAAD

The documentation of the workshop will be published soon!

The language support programme for international students at Bielefeld University -
Review and perspectives

Language support programme for international students at Bielefeld University - funded by the German Academic Exchange Service

Bielefeld University is currently establishing new structures and efficient framework conditions for its students' studies. This is being done primarily by teaching key skills and, with regard to international students, also by networking all those involved in supporting foreign students and by setting up a language programme to accompany their studies as the centrepiece of this new support culture.

This cooperation project between several internal university partners (university faculties, German as a foreign language, AAA network project, Career Orientation & Key Skills department, Federal Employment Agency of Germany team, university computer centre, library, central student counselling service) increases the study efficiency and academic success of international students by providing them with individual and needs-oriented support throughout their studies.

Project goals

1. Increasing the study success rate and shortening the study times of international students in German as a foreign language
2. Consolidating the programme at the university by developing a training programme for future GFL teachers and other interested parties (multipliers) at the university
3. Developing and trialling a model for providing language support to international students during their studies that can be transferred to other universities.

Target group-specific offers

The language support programme offers various courses and/or workshops that are differentiated according to the subject and language requirements of the international students:

• BA
• MA
• PhD students
• Multipliers

The entire language support programme is differentiated according to target groups (Bachelor's and Master's students, doctoral candidates). The respective "modules" correspond to the language and subject requirements of the study profile (e.g. presentation, seminar paper, exposé, defence, etc.).

The modules can be chosen individually. Academic working techniques, writing and revision techniques, structures and characteristics of German academic language, language learning strategies, etc. are taught directly on the respective academic subject. An essential component of all modules is individual feedback on the academic language performance achieved in the course. In addition to the feedback on these aspects, the lecturer's professional opinion also plays a central role.

Stabilisation through further training

Parallel to the conception and implementation of the language support programme, the development of two multiplier training courses begins, which ensure part of the internal continuity. The multipliers receive theoretical and practical training in the counselling work and the concepts of the various components of the programme.

They then take on the implementation of individual modules and individual counselling of international students on academic writing tasks as part of the training. The training programme is primarily aimed at future graduates of German as a foreign language or graduates of other linguistic disciplines who have already acquired key skills necessary for the linguistic support of foreign students through their studies.

Through this further training, graduates and doctoral students gain relevant qualifications for their future careers as teaching staff in the field of science or as DAAD lecturers in Germany and abroad in the area of preparing/accompanying foreign students.

Promotion of the project

The project is funded by the German Academic Exchange Service. It is organised at Bielefeld University in close cooperation with various institutions, in particular between the Department of German as a Foreign Language and the International Office (now: International Office /IO).

Academic Director: Prof. Dr Claudia Riemer, Department of German as a Foreign Language.
Contact person is Heike Brandl.

Organisational management: Dr Thomas Lüttenberg (Dr Werner Aufderlandwehr), Head of the International Office (now: IO).

Lucyna Darowska (IO) is available as contact person

Project staff can be found under Staff.

Project duration

The language support programme is a third-party funded project that was funded by the DAAD from 08/2005 to 07/2007 under the "PROFIS" programme for the promotion of internationalisation structures at German universities.

Employees

Heike Brandl , M. A.
Main areas of work: Project coordination, programmes on speaking and writing in the sciences for B.A. and Master's students, multiplier training, development of a guide for GFL teachers

Melanie Brinkschulte, M.A.
Main areas of work: Programmes on speaking and writing in the sciences for doctoral students, development of a guide for GFL teachers

Morton Hunke, M.A.
Main areas of work: Courses on speaking and writing in the sciences for B.A. students, development of a guide for GFL teachers

Stephanie Immich, M. A.
Main areas of work: Programmes for Bachelor's, Master's, Magister and Diplom students, development of a guide for GFL teachers

Student assistants:
Katrin Krüger-Anne, Ulrike Magarin, Maaret Manheimer

A special co-operation exists with the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, which has the second largest group of international students. From the winter semester 2005/2006, these students were included in "SYBIS - Systemic Support for International Students based on the Case Management Method". In addition to the associated counselling on all questions relating to the organisation of studies, a subject-specific language support programme is intended to provide targeted support for the acquisition of business and economics terminology.

An accompanying seminar to the lecture "Corporate Law" is being designed to give students a better insight into the lecture content. It can be assumed that many students will encounter difficulties when working through the lecture topics. This depends on various factors, including different cultural backgrounds, different prior knowledge of the legal issues relating to the topic, intercultural differences with regard to specialised terminology, etc.

The seminar accompanying the course is interdisciplinary, i.e. two specialists, a specialised language teacher and a student tutor from the subject of economics, design and teach the course together.

The content focuses on

• Strategies for developing key economic texts in relation to the lecture content
• Systematisation, practice and consolidation of subject knowledge with the support of various study techniques
• Contrastive vocabulary work with regard to the specialised language
• language learning strategies
• Systematisation and tutorial (connection with lecture/seminar) of foreign language structures
• Preparation for writing the final exam

The programme is offered in cooperation with the following partners:

• Faculty of Business Administration and Economics
• IO (International Office)
• SYBIS (Systemic Support for International Students based on the Case Management method)
• PunktUm

Project duration: Winter semester 2005/06
Project member: Magdalena Schröder

Background and requirements

The doctoral programme "Bioinformatics and Genome Research" (International Graduate School in Bioinformatics and Genome Research) is an interdisciplinary and internationally oriented degree programme for biologists and computer scientists at Bielefeld University under the umbrella of the CeBiTec - Center for Biotechnology. The degree programme has long enjoyed an excellent international reputation in teaching and research. This high level of international recognition means that the courses offered are also in high demand outside Germany and the proportion of international doctoral students is 40%.

The English-language degree programme is based on broad interdisciplinary cooperation between the Departments of Genetics/Genomics, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology and Biochemistry and ensures the success of its doctoral students through intensive specialist supervision, which is rounded off by an offer to acquire further key skills.

For international doctoral students, this includes the opportunity to learn German. Students acquire the skills and knowledge they need to cope with everyday life inside and outside the university in the university's German courses. The German courses are based on the European Framework of Reference for Languages and cover levels A1-C1. After successfully completing this programme, doctoral students in the natural sciences will be able to articulate themselves appropriately in many everyday communication situations, both orally and in writing.

As this German language course is aimed at doctoral students from all faculties at the university, subject-specific areas of communication during their studies, such as laboratory discussions or more informal presentations of their own doctoral project, are largely ignored.

For this reason, two German learning modules are currently being developed that focus on oral technical communication for biologists and computer scientists in the laboratory and in informal technical discussions at the university or at specialist conferences. In addition to the benefits for their studies, the doctoral students also acquire skills that prepare them for a career at German universities as well as in international companies

German language module 1: Laboratory communication for Molecular Biology doctoral students

This module can be attended after completing level A2 and is held once per academic year. It focuses on the subject-orientated communication in German that doctoral students need to be able to work smoothly in the laboratory. This includes, among other things, the technical terms for laboratory equipment and apparatus, functional language for allocating laboratory workstations, enquiring about the availability of materials or equipment and understanding laboratory books and protocols. Although the language of study is English, there are always situations in which informal laboratory discussions are conducted in German or documents written in German need to be understood.

After completing the course, which coincides with the end of the first year of doctoral studies, the students can put their language skills to good use in their subsequent laboratory studies.

Project duration: summer semester 2008 and winter semester 2008/09
Project member: Ulrike Magarin

German learning module 2: Informal technical discussions for biologists and computer scientists

This module should be attended after completion of level B2. It is also held once per academic year and prepares international doctoral students to actively participate in informal communication during breaks and accompanying events at specialist conferences. Although the lingua franca in the specialist lectures and discussions is English, the informal dialogue often switches to the national language, German, when the specialist conferences take place in German-speaking countries. International doctoral candidates should therefore be able to present their dissertation topic in an appropriate language during these break-time discussions, which often deal with specialised topics. This enables them to enter into an initial professional exchange with other academics or representatives of other institutions.

Project duration: summer semester 2008 and winter semester 2008/09
Project member: Sabina Schommers

Both projects (modules 1 and 2) were carried out with financial support from the DAAD.

As part of the support measures for international doctoral and postdoctoral students, PunktUm offers specialised language support for the designated group of people in the health sciences / public health. The programmes are funded by the DAAD from STIBET funds and are currently being developed.

Project duration: April 2008 - February 2009.

Learning German in English-language degree programmes

Now that more than half of all European students are enrolled on bachelor's or master's degree programmes, the next stage of Europe-wide university harmonisation is graduate education.
Doctoral programmes are to be better structured and doctoral theses better supervised. Following a study of doctoral programmes at German universities, the German Council of Science and Humanities recommended that doctoral colleges be introduced across the board in order to offer more courses to accompany doctoral studies. This has shown that there is also a relatively great need for language supervision and support.

Since the summer semester 2003, the PunktUm project has therefore been organising German courses for international students in the following (English-language) Bielefeld Graduate Schools or Research Training Groups:

• Centre of Excellence Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC)
• International NRW Graduate School in Bioinformatics and Genome Research (CeBiTec)
• BiGSEM - Graduate School of Economics and Management
• Bielefeld Graduate School in History and Sociology (Bielefeld Graduate School in History and Sociology)
• International Graduate School in Sociology
• International Graduate School of Chemistry and Biochemistry Bielefeld
• EDE-EM - European Doctorate in Economics Erasmus Mundus
• Public Health
• International Research Training Group "Stochastics and Real World Models"
• Quantum Fields and Strongly Interacting Matter
• EBIM - French-German Research Training Group "Economic Behaviour and Interaction Models"
• International Graduate Programme "Systems Biology of Brain and Behaviour"

Foreign students on these programmes are exempt from the compulsory German language test for university admission. Initial experience shows that many of them have little or no knowledge of German when they arrive in Germany, as this is not required to successfully complete the doctoral programme.

With this in mind, PunktUm is designing and organising a German learning programme with the aim of making it easier for this target group to integrate into everyday university life and cope with everyday life.
These courses have been run in close cooperation with the Bielefeld Graduate Schools since the summer semester 2003 and are attended by graduates with little knowledge of German.

In what are now four courses per semester with four to five different levels, they acquire basic knowledge of German tailored to their needs as well as regional and cultural contrastive knowledge to help them find their way in everyday (study) life. At the same time, graduates have the opportunity to have the language level they have acquired certified in accordance with international standards or to receive ECTS credit.

By successfully participating in the German courses, graduates acquire not only the communicative skills to cope with everyday life, but also a qualification that can also be important for further (research or work) stays in Germany.

Not only doctoral students from English-language degree programmes benefit from this PunktUm offer, but also students of the LiLi faculty with German as a foreign language as a core or minor subject. Students on the degree programme use the courses for work shadowing as part of their theory-in-practice courses or complete their compulsory internship in this university-specific offer.
Depending on their existing qualification profile, interns are integrated into the areas of lesson preparation and follow-up, material development and student support.

Further information on the offer can be found here.

PunktUm has been offering German courses for doctoral students on English-language degree programmes at Bielefeld University since the summer semester 2003. The aim of PunktUm is to enable doctoral students, who are exempt from the compulsory German examination for university admission and often come to Bielefeld University with little or no knowledge of German, to master everyday language situations at the university quickly and effectively. This is intended to make a decisive contribution to social integration and a successful (study and research) stay in Bielefeld and Germany.

In initial teaching practice, the sole use of standard GFL textbooks proved to be inadequate, as their thematic framework usually failed to address the regional and thus linguistic reality of the doctoral students. As a result, there was a lack of a more target-group-specific programme that would enable doctoral students, who have a lot of time on their hands, to find their way around the university without spending unnecessary time.

This was remedied by the development of specific regional studies teaching materials. These are based on a well-founded target group analysis and can be used in the PunktUm German courses to accompany and in some cases replace the teaching material in accordance with the European Framework of Reference for Languages at the various levels A1-C1. With the support of these materials, not only the ability to master linguistic actions in a university context and intercultural competences are promoted, but also the handling of the flood of information within the university. In order to support the integration of the doctoral students into the city of Bielefeld, the city with its leisure activities, traditional festivals and cultural offerings as well as the East Westphalian environment are also addressed and further familiarisation outside of the course is supported.

The regional studies materials, which have been successfully used in the current courses for several semesters and have already been evaluated, are organised according to levels and topics, as can be seen below:

Topics Level A1

• Premises and orientation at Bielefeld University
• Institutions at the university
• Doing a doctorate at Bielefeld University
• Appointments at the university
• Everyday life at the university
• Leisure and celebrations in Bielefeld
• Leisure activities at Bielefeld University
• Eating at the university

Topics level A2

• Stages of life at Bielefeld University
• Women at Bielefeld University
• Destinations near Bielefeld
• Food and drink in Germany

Topics level B1

• Professor/student relationship
• Living: SHARED FLAT
• Studying and working
• Internship

Topics level B2

• Writing at the university
• The Bielefeld University Library
• Bielefeld University
• Women's rights and emancipation

Topics level C1

• Cultural life at the University
• Student Union - Culinary delights
• Finances & Co: Tuition fees
• The region by semester ticket - Münster

In addition to the target-group-specific German courses, the profile of this PunktUm programme includes the regular PunktUm party, visits to pubs, participation in the International Office's St Nicholas party and course excursions to the East Westphalian region.

The project was financed by the DAAD with STIBET funds.

Project duration: WS 06/07 to WS 07/08
Project staff: Sabina Schommers and Anna Mlynarska

Language courses for international cooperation projects - for example for visiting students from East China Normal University (Shanghai)

In the summer of 2004, PunktUm, the International Office and the Faculties of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry collaborated to create a language learning programme for Chinese exchange students from Shanghai Normal University, which continues to this day.

PunktUm designed a language support programme for the Chinese guest students, who study in Bielefeld for a year in English, which supports the group in semester-long courses and intensive phases over the entire academic year to help them cope with the language requirements of their studies and integrate into the German-speaking environment.

In this context, a specialised language course "English for Natural Scientists" (2 SWS) as well as a German course at basic level (6-8 SWS) take place during the two semesters of study. The acquisition of the language of the host country is supplemented by two four-week intensive phases (88 teaching units each) in the lecture-free period, the first of which takes place directly at the beginning of the exchange year, the second after half a year of the stay.

As part of the German courses, a course newspaper project was organised at the end of the academic year. If you would like to read it, click here: Experience report

As part of the German courses, the report "A year in Germany" was written at the end of the academic year.

Most natural science bachelor courses at Bielefeld University are German-language courses, i.e. almost all courses and examinations are held in German, with the exception of English-language tutorials and laboratory groups.

Proposals by the subjects to offer individual courses in English have failed in the past due to students' fears that they would be less able to understand academic content in English.

For this reason, many courses are still not held in English, although English is the specialist language in all natural science subjects and is passively required for reading specialist articles and listening to lectures in the master's course at the latest. At the latest during the doctoral phase, but above all in professional life, a command of English is taken for granted, both passively and actively.

As there are no language learning programmes at Bielefeld University that students of natural sciences could use to improve their academic English, a joint initiative of the Deans of Studies of the Faculties of Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Technology in cooperation with PunktUm has launched a corresponding English learning programme for the first time. This consists of one course each on the reception and production of English-language specialist texts in the natural sciences and on giving specialist presentations in English.

The project is currently being implemented under the direction of the participating natural science faculties.

Project duration: winter semester 2005/06 - summer semester 2006

In addition to the interdisciplinary courses offered by PunktUm, a subject-specific language learning programme for foreign students of Law has been developed in close cooperation with the Faculty of Law since the summer semester 2005. At the centre of this work is the study of subject-specific text types such as legal opinions.

Students are also systematically prepared for writing legal examinations. The programme consists of several components, is writing process- and product-oriented and takes into account intercultural aspects of academic work and specialist vocabulary. The courses are linked to the legal tutorials associated with the respective area of law.

The specialised language teacher provides linguistic preparation and support for the international students, while the specialised lecturers provide content-related support. Individual counselling is also offered for problems with specific legal texts.

Further information on the programme can be found here: PunktUm Jura

6 and 7 February 2012 at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research at Bielefeld University

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Colleagues

Migrants are still underrepresented in tertiary education, they have lower academic success rates and are less frequently employed in (highly) qualified appointments than would be expected given their potential. As a result, the professional, multilingual and cultural competences of this group of students remain largely untapped for science and society.

Research into the factors that influence educational success and the development of literary competences in the field of scientific communication in two or more languages has so far been carried out - if at all - within the narrow confines of various individual disciplines. The aim of the symposium is therefore to bring together academics from different fields of research and to take an interdisciplinary approach to the subject area. We have invited renowned researchers from the fields of psychology, educational sociology, pedagogy and linguistics to present their latest research findings for discussion. This will be organised around three main themes:

1. multilingualism in a globalised society and its relevance for research and teaching

2. potential and development of migrants in tertiary education: research findings from a sociological and psychological perspective

3. language competences in the first and second language for the domain of academic communication

By discussing the contributions from the perspective of different subject areas, we want to make disciplinary and methodological boundaries as well as interfaces visible and raise questions for future research.

The symposium is therefore aimed at all academics who are conducting or intend to conduct research in the field of multilingualism, educational participation and the potential of students with a migration background. At the same time, we would like to invite colleagues from universities who are developing programmes for this target group.

 

With best regards

Prof. Dr Claudia Riemer
Heike Brandl, M.A.
Dr Emre Arslan
Elke Langelahn, M.A.

Das Sprachbegleitprogramm für internationale Studierende an der Universität Bielefeld -
Bilanz und Perspektiven

Hochschule: Universität Bielefeld
PROFIS-Modellprojekt: Sprachbegleitprogramm für ausländische Studierende der Universität Bielefeld
Thema des Workshops: Das Sprachbegleitprogramm für internationale Studierende an der Universität Bielefeld - Bilanz und Perspektiven
Zielgruppe: MitarbeiterInnen der Akademischen Auslandsämter / International Offices und anderer Hochschuleinrichtungen, die für internationale Angelegenheiten zuständig sind; Hochschullehrende aller Fächer und Interessierte aus dem Bereich Deutsch als Fremdsprache
Datum und Uhrzeit: 27.11.2007, 9:00 - 17:00 Uhr
Veranstaltungsort: Universität Bielefeld
Universitätsstraße 25
33615 Bielefeld
Ansprechpartnerin: Ulrike Magarin (Tel. 0521-1063616,
punktum@uni-bielefeld.de)
Anmeldeschluss: 07.11.2007

Kurzbeschreibung des Workshops: Mit der Internationalisierung der Studienangebote deutscher Hochschulen und der damit verbundenen Veränderung der Hochschulstrukturen (Einführung des Studienmodells Bachelor, Master, PhD) verändern sich auch die Anforderungen, die an die Betreuung internationaler Studierender gestellt werden.

Durch die Vernetzung aller Betreuungsangebote und die Etablierung eines "Sprachbegleitprogramms für internationale Studierende" beabsichtigt die Universität Bielefeld ihre internationalen Studierenden noch effektiver dabei zu unterstützen, die (sprachlichen) Anforderungen des Studiums erfolgreich zu bewältigen.

Ziel des Workshops ist es daher, die Gründe für den Veränderungs- und Handlungsbedarf zu rekapitulieren, Lösungswege sowie die Übertragbarkeit des Bielefelder Modells auf andere Hochschulen zu diskutieren.

Homepage des PROFIS-Projektes: www.uni-bielefeld.de/profis

Vorläufiges Programm: 9:00 - 12:30

Begrüßung durch

Dr. Lüttenberg (Leitung des IO der Universität Bielefeld, Federführung des Profis-Projektes)

Prof. Dr. Riemer (Universität Bielefeld, Wissenschaftliche Leitung des Profis-Projektes)

Impulsreferat 1: Zur aktuellen Situation internationaler Studierender an den Hochschulen in Deutschland.

Dr. Heublein (HIS)

Impulsreferat 2: Deutschprüfungen für den Hochschulzugang und die Folgen.

Prof. Dr. Koreik (Universität Bielefeld, Vorstandsmitglied des Fachverbands Deutsch als Fremdsprache)

Vorstellung und Diskussion des Sprachbegleitprogramms für internationale Studierende der Universität Bielefeld

Heike Brandl M.A. (DaF Bielefeld) und Lucyna Darowska M.A. (IO Bielefeld)

Mittagspause

14:00 - 15:30

Diskussion in Arbeitsgruppen
 

Arbeitsgruppe 1: Übertragungsmöglichkeiten des Bielefelder Modells auf andere Hochschulen

Arbeitsgruppe 2: Integration des Sprachbegleitprogramms in die Struktur der Studienbegleitung

16:00 - 17:00

Plenum und abschließende Diskussion