Why have "German as a Second Language" (DaZ)?

According to the 2023 microcensus, more than 43% of children under the age of 5 in Germany have a migrant background. Many of these children are therefore potentially multilingual. This presents many opportunities and potential, but there are also challenges.
Multilingualism has thus become an omnipresent reality in German classrooms. But how can teachers deal with this situation?
In the German as a Second Language program, you will learn to focus on the potential of multilingual children, but also to take their special needs into account. This naturally includes linguistic aspects, but also cultural and sociological aspects. You will gain comprehensive insight into the situation of multilingual children in Germany, acquire basic knowledge of the German language and how to teach it, and develop your diagnostic and support skills in this area.
This will enable you to provide appropriate support to multilingual children in regular classes or individual groups and help them to further develop their potential.

What possibilities does the KU offer for studying German as a Second Language (DaZ)?

There are various options for studying DaZ at the KU.

Most students choose DaZ as a teaching subject for elementary school or secondary school Mittelschule.

However, you can also study DaZ as a didactics subject as part of triple didactics, again for elementary school or secondary school Mittelschule.

Graduates of the teacher training programs for secondary schools Realschule or Gymnasium also have the opportunity to study DaZ as part of an Erweiterungsprüfung (supplementary examination).

If none of the above options are suitable for you, you are still welcome to attend one of our courses to get a feel for what we offer. If possible, please contact the respective lecturers in advance.