Bachelor's degree programme in German as a Second and Foreign Language (BA DaZF) University of Education Freiburg

The BA in German as a Second and Foreign Language (BA DaZF) is an applied, practice-oriented Bachelor's programme that prepares students specifically for professional work in the field of German as a second and foreign language — for example, in language and cultural mediation, in the planning and delivery of integration measures, or in migration counselling. It includes an integrated internship as well as numerous practical components within the individual modules.

The programme is jointly designed by the University of Education Freiburg (Pädagogische Hochschule, PH) and the University of Freiburg (Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg), combining the strengths of both institutions. The University of Freiburg contributes primarily modules and courses in linguistics and (intercultural) literary studies, while the PH develops competences in language acquisition and teaching methodology. This links a solid academic grounding in the discipline with a practical, application-oriented perspective. Graduates are therefore able to shape educational processes in multilingual settings on a sound theoretical basis.

The BA DaZF is a major/minor Bachelor's programme: in addition to the major in DaZF, students choose a minor subject, allowing them to develop an individual profile. The major comprises 120 ECTS credits, and approx. 40 ECTS credits are earned in the minor. A further 20 ECTS credits are gained in modules devoted to transferable skills (Schlüsselqualifikationen / Studium generale).

At the PH Freiburg, students can choose between three minor subjects, which are likewise application-oriented and prepare students for particular professional fields in the education sector:

• Early Childhood Education: qualifies students for pedagogical work in the early years, with a focus on areas such as language assessment and language education and support in multilingual contexts
• Educational Science: focuses on shaping educational processes outside of school settings, for example, in integration measures or language courses
• Health Education: qualifies students for work at the interface of health care and language teaching, for example the design and delivery of language courses for international nursing staff

The programme has a strong international orientation. Applications from abroad are expressly welcome, and international applicants receive support both during the application process and when getting started in Freiburg. Periods of study abroad are also encouraged; the third and fourth semesters are designated as the mobility window.

The major consists of 13 modules. Each module is made up of several courses that complement one another thematically. In some modules, students can choose between different courses (mandatory elective component). Each module concludes with an examination.

Most courses are offered as seminars, while some modules also include lectures. In addition, a teaching practicum is scheduled for the third semester; it is supervised by the University of Education but takes place at an institution engaged in language teaching.

The major is structured so that the first two semesters provide the fundamentals. These include an introductory module addressing the key areas and methods of DaZF as a discipline, as well as modules in linguistics, literary studies, cultural studies and teaching methodology. The third semester focuses on the teaching internship. Additionally, this semester comprises a module on literature and literary learning in the DaZ/DaF classroom. The fourth semester places its focus on theories and models of multilingual language acquisition and on questions of language teaching. In the fifth and sixth semesters, phonetics and the teaching of phonetics form a key element, complemented by advanced modules in DaZ/DaF methodology and in linguistics and literary studies. The Bachelor's thesis is also written in the sixth semester, accompanied by a colloquium at one of the two institutions. 

As this is a programme run jointly by two institutions, some modules are offered by the PH Freiburg (e.g. M1: Introduction to DaZ/DaF) and others by the University of Freiburg (e.g. M3: Foundations of Linguistics). There are also modules taught jointly by both institutions (e.g. M7: Literature and Literary Learning in the DaZ/DaF Classroom).

University of Freiburg (Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg)

In the third semester, students complete a supervised teaching internship. This is the Module 6, "Teaching Practice". The internship is organised in such a way that students observe German-as-a-Second-Language lessons once a week in small groups. They can choose between different target groups (e.g. children, adolescents and adults) and institutions (e.g. schools, the language centre of a university). They are accompanied by a lecturer from the PH Freiburg, who discusses the lessons with them in detail afterwards. In addition, students carry out their own teaching amounting to a total of 90 to 120 minutes. The lecturer provides close supervision in preparing and reflecting on these lessons.

Accompanying this practical experience, a course is offered in which students become familiar with, among other things, models of lesson planning and methods of classroom observation. The module concludes with an oral examination.

For information on the academic admission requirements, please see:
https://www.ph-freiburg.de/studium/bachelorstudiengaenge/deutsch-als-zweit-fremdsprache/bewerbung.html.

The semester contribution currently amounts to 199.50 EUR and must be paid by all students.

There is the possibility of working as a student assistant (HiWi) at the department of German language and literature.

The programme regularly organises events at which graduates of the programme or practitioners from the field provide insights into various career fields.

In addition, the programme coordinator offers advice on developing an individual profile and on the career options associated with it. Students who are interested can complete additional internships and receive support in finding a suitable internship position (e.g. by drawing on the network of the programme team).

There is also an alumni network at the PH Freiburg, which organises conferences at irregular intervals.

Students can apply for a place in a student hall of residence (application portal: https://www.swfr.de/wohnen/wohnheime/online-bewerbung-auf-einen-wohnheimplatz). The cost is approximately 300 to 400 EUR per month.

The Studierendenwerk (student services organisation) also offers a portal for finding private accommodation (https://www.swfr.de).