Continuing Education Program DaZ Bonn
This page contains everything you need to know about the part-time continuing education program DaZ Bonn, such as the target group1, the admissions requirements2, a detailed description of the courses offered within the program3, as well as frequently asked questions4.
Important notice:
The WBS DaZ Bonn program expired at the end of 2023, and the program is currently not open for applications. We will periodically update this website with more information about the program and when it will be available again.
Welcome!
The continuing education program DaZ Bonn introduces students to the fundamental theoretical and practical teaching principles of teaching and learning German as a second language. Through a balanced mix of in-person classes and eLearning modules, we will dive into a wide variety of teaching methods and cooperative learning formats.
The Continuing Education Program DaZ Bonn is a free, part-time certificate course offered by the Institute of Language, Media Studies and Musicology’s Department of Intercultural Communication and Multilingualism Research in collaboration with the Institute of German Studies, Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies.
At a glance
Our program is designed for applicants with first professional degrees. The program was primarily created with the following target groups in mind:
- Teachers in the field of adult education who work in language courses or language support groups
- Teachers in schools (any type) who teach German or foreign languages
- Students enrolled in a Masters of Education program
In addition, the DaZ program is also designed for the following groups:
- Teachers in the field of adult education who once worked in language courses or language support groups, or who would like to pursue further training in this area
- Teachers in schools (any type) would would like to teach German or foreign languages in the future
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Applicants must have earned a professional degree in a program recognized by German universities with a standard period of study of at least six semesters;
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Applicants must have thorough command of the German language; Applicants whose native language is not German must prove that they have at least a C1-level German language proficiency, as determined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, by successfully completing a certified language examination.
Please note that we are currently NOT accepting applications for the WBS program.
In order to apply, please send us the following documents:
- Application for admission: You will receive the “Application for admission” form during our information session.
- Copy of your university certificate: Only applications including a copy of the official university certificate will be accepted. Provisional certificates or the transcript of records are not sufficient. Foreign university degrees must additionally be checked for equivalence. If you have a foreign university degree, please send us a copy of your transcript in addition to the university certificate (in its original language), as well as German translations of your university certificate and transcript. Please take into account that it can take up to four months to check foreign degrees for equivalence.
- Proof of prior teaching experience
- Tabular resume
- Cover letter (1 page)
- If applicable, proof of German language skills: Applicants whose first language is not German must prove that they have at least a C1-level German language proficiency, as measured by the Common European Framework of References for Languages. Only certified and internationally recognized language certificates are accepted as proof.
Please note that your application will only be accepted if you attended our information session. Applications submitted electronically will not be accepted, either.
Over the course of the DaZ Continuing Education program, students must write four papers and take three exams. The dates will be announced at the beginning of the semester.
After completing the DaZ/DaF continuing education program, graduates will receive a graded certificate from the Faculty of Arts at the University of Bonn. The course consists of 6 modules and lasts around 10 months (though it follows a part-time format). In total, the program includes 150 hours of in-person classes, extensive eLearning exercises, and an internship lasting 36 hours. Students should expect a workload of around 900 hours for the entire course, which corresponds to 30 ECTS credits.
Typically, the class is offered:
- Twice a month on Fridays from 4 p.m. until 8 or 9 p.m.
- Twice a month on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
The program emphasizes the following topics:
- The methodology and didactics of teaching German as a Second Language
- Theory of learning and teaching multilingualism as well as German as a Second Language
- Grammar basics
- Using materials and media in class
- Teaching specialized content and skills in a language-sensitive manner
- Social and legal conditions in intercultural teaching situations
- Supervised internship designed to put theory into practice
- Have practical experience
- Are familiar with a wide variety of methodological and didactic approaches
- Have a thorough understanding of the latest research and theories
- Have expansive networks
What makes the DaZ Continuing Education Program special:
In-depth, comprehensive training in ten months
Our further education program is an in-depth and multifaceted program which emphasizes both theoretical and practical principles of teaching and learning German as a Second Language. Encompassing a workload of 900 hours, students who successfully complete the DaZ Bonn further education certificate are awarded 30 ECTS credits. This means that, among other things, graduates of the program will meet the requirements for admission as teachers in the integration courses at the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.
Moreover, the program prepares students to approach language teaching from a professional perspective regardless of age (children, adolescents and adults) and target group.
Small groups and cooperative learning methods
To ensure that our students are provided with optimal learning environments that are close-knit, and enable them to benefit from each other’s diverse experiences, we limit our groups to 30 participants. Our program recognizes the significant impact diversity in teaching methods, participant orientation, and strong practical applications have on the learning experience. As a result, we incorporate varied and cooperative teaching approaches in all of our lessons.
Direct application to the practice of teaching
Over the course of the program, we will invite qualified speakers with in-depth teaching experience who are able to convey practical knowledge to our students. Our seminars are structured to convey the content through didactic and methodological approaches. In the form of microteaching, we simulate real classes and reflect on the experience together, giving students the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge practically. Finally, the examination exercises are developed based on real-life teaching applications.
Blended learning concept
Our in-person classes are supplemented by eLearning units that prepare, follow up, deepen and expand the content learned in class. This approach enables us to take the diversity of our participants into account, while simultaneously giving our students a great deal of flexibility in terms of time.
Esteemed reputation
The current Daz Bonn Continuing Education Program is a continuation of an advanced training program the Department IKM offered from 2008 to 2019. Based on over 10 years of experience, our program has garnered an excellent reputation for its quality.
Quality management
Both during and at the end of the semester, we ask our students and teachers to evaluate the program. By incorporating their feedback, as well as carefully observing the market and its needs, we continually develop and tailor our program to meet the highest standards. Adapting to a changing professional landscape, we keep our students up to date on current teaching practices in different contexts.
Part-time and family friendly concept
We aim to enable our participants to fit our classes into their busy work or university lives. All of our classes are therefore scheduled in the evenings and on weekends. Furthermore, we make sure not to schedule classes during school holidays.
Internship Partners
We collaborate with a multitude of organizations and public schools in the Cologne/Bonn/Aachen area to make our internships a reality!
- Bildungsforum Lernwelten in Bonn
- Bundessprachenamt in Hürth
- Carl Duisberg Colleg in Köln
- Euro-Schulen Bonn
- Fortbildungsakademie der Wirtschaft in Köln
- Goethe-Institut Bonn
- Institut für Sprachvermittlung (IFS) in Bonn
- Internationale Begegnungsstätte Bonn
- Internationaler Bund: Sprachenschulen Köln
- Katholisches Bildungswerk Köln und Bonn
- Kreuzberg Bonn, Sprachinstitut
- Pro Integration e.V. – Internationales Zentrum der Universität Bonn
- Sprachakademie Aachen
- Tandem Köln, Sprachschule
- Volkshochschule Bonn
- Volkshochschule Köln
- Volkshochschule Rhein-Sieg in Siegburg
Press and Media Coverage
Hear from our Graduates
“I would like to thank you for the wonderful seminars and your loving, compassionate, and humorous way of teaching. It was a pleasure to be a part of the WBS program. Thank you for exuding competence, enthusiasm, and passion.”
“Being able to talk with the other participants in the WBS DaZ Bonn program was a very valuable experience for me. All of the participants come from different professions, speak different languages, and have gained their own unique experiences, which made our conversations very stimulating and varied.”
“After having begun teaching myself, I would like to thank you once again for the excellent training I received over the course of the program. A couple of weeks ago, I started teaching an international support class, and the children are starting to speak. Even those who couldn’t speak a word of German two weeks ago are joining in and laughing (...) For the first time in my life, I feel truly comfortable at school. I am beyond grateful for that.”
“Even someone like myself, who has over 25 years of teaching experience, was able to incorporate the ideas from the methodology/didactics module into his classes. Thank you for the stimulating, varied and content-rich course. I would definitely recommend it to others!”
Yes. In order to take the exam, participants must attend the classes listed as “mandatory” in the module plan. If participants miss more than 20% of the classes, they will not satisfy the attendance requirement and will not be eligible to take the exam.
No. Your admission to the program requires you to take the six modules in the prescribed order.
No. When you register for the program as a whole, you will automatically be registered for each module and the corresponding exams.
Each module instructor designs their own assignments and exams. At the beginning of each module, they will inform you of the assignments and exam structures.
If you do not pass an exam, you can repeat it once. However, if you fail an exam twice, it will be graded as “unsatisfactory” (5,0) and can no longer be improved.
Furthermore, exams will be graded as “unsatisfactory” (5,0) if a candidate does not show up to the exam without a valid reason, if a candidate withdraws from the exam after it has begun without a valid reason, or if a candidate fails to submit the exam on time. The same applies to candidates who do not complete examined assignments within the allotted time period.
The classes will be held on the premises of the Department of Intercultural Communication and Multilingualism Research, Lennestraße 6. You will receive further details about the exact room location prior to the first class.
Please make sure to follow the exact class schedule, to show up on time, and to attend classes for the full duration.
The continuing education program was sponsored by the NRW Ministry of Culture and Science until the end of 2023. As a result, participation was free of charge.
No. To participate in the program, you do not need to be a regularly enrolled student. Instead, you will be granted the status of a guest student. This means that while you will not have to pay any social contributions but you will not receive a semester or NRW ticket, either.
Yes. Feel free to reapply, especially if you meet all the formal admission requirements.
No. However, you are welcome to pick up your application documents from us in person. However, please be aware that all documents and personal data will be deleted after 6 months.
You can view the examination regulations7 here.
You will receive the application for admissions form during our information session.
Links
- https://www.ikm.uni-bonn.de/en/continuing-education-program/wbs#Zielgruppe
- https://www.ikm.uni-bonn.de/en/continuing-education-program/wbs#Zugangsvoraussetzungen
- https://www.ikm.uni-bonn.de/en/continuing-education-program/wbs#Angebot
- https://www.ikm.uni-bonn.de/en/continuing-education-program/wbs#FAQ
- https://www.ikm.uni-bonn.de/de/weiterbildende-studienangebote/weiterbildende-studienangebote-medien/kochen-macht-schule_presse-wbs.pdf
- https://www.welt.de/incoming/article149103083/Deutsch-als-Tueroeffner.html
- https://www.ikm.uni-bonn.de/de/weiterbildende-studienangebote/wbs-medienordner/pruefungsordnung.pdf