German as a Foreign Language

Abstract

• Show the study programme profile

  Profile of the study programme

  Learning outcomes
  In your bachelor study programme you will learn, inter alia:

  • how to plan, conduct and evaluate competence-oriented and motivating German as a foreign and second language classes;
  • how to measure and analyse learners' language proficiency and how to deduct appropriate learning support based on the results;
  • how to develop, implement and evaluate teaching and learning concepts (for instance for language schools).

  After your studies, and as an expert in German as a foreign and second language, you will be able to conceptualise and conduct high-quality German as a foreign and second language classes and to competently advocate for your decisions in front of all involved stakeholders.

  Fribourg profile
  This university bachelor programme German as a Foreign Language is offered exclusively in the French/German bilingual city of Fribourg. The geographical location of the town at the language border offers optimal conditions to gain insight in the German as a foreign language context of the French-speaking part, as well as the German as a Second Language context of the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Our study programme meets the various needs of both students who speak German as (one of) their native language(s) and students who are non-native German speakers.
  The German as a Foreign Language bachelor study programme of the University of Fribourg is renowned for its small learning groups and individual and personal supervision of students. You will also have the opportunity to gain first-hand work experience. Moreover, the programme enables you to continue your studies at all other universities and higher education institutions in Switzerland and abroad. Furthermore, our bachelor study programme paves the way for pursuing a career in research. It is especially with reference to the latter where our close collaboration with the Institute of Multilingualism is particularly interesting. The institute has been affiliated with Research Centre on Multilingualism by the Swiss government since 2010.

  Language proficiency
  The University of Fribourg is multilingual and personal. Non-native German-speaking students will enrol in profession-related German courses at the level C1/C2 and thereby expand their German language competences.

  Parallel to your studies you can take advantage of the broad range of free support opportunities to further improve your foreign language skills.

  Swiss certificate of upper secondary education graduates who achieved a grade below 5.5 in the subject German as a foreign language are recommended to enrol in the German intensive course prior to the start of the first semester to be optimally prepared for the beginning of your studies!

  Career openings
  Our graduates are qualified to engage in professional occupations in various domains both nationally and internationally:

  • Language teaching in adult education (e.g., for migrants);
  • Research assistance (e.g., in educational administration);
  • Profession-related language support and language support for businesses and organisations;
  • Bilingual education;
  • Digital foreign language teaching and learning.

  Our bachelor study programme conveys solid foundational knowledge in research methods related to German as a Foreign Language /German as a Second Language research, which enables our graduates to pursue an academic career path upon their graduation.

  Note: The bachelor programme can be studied part-time. Due to the high demand of qualified German as a foreign language teachers in the French- and Italian-speaking regions of Switzerland, many students decide to enter their future professions during their bachelor studies.

Studies organisation

Structure of studies

Curriculum

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