Accompanied Independent Learning
In addition to regular language courses, the SLZ also offers students the opportunity to shape their learning process in a more autonomous way. While studying independently, students are supported by the language module program, including exercises and accompanying materials.
Independent Learning at the SLZ
The independent learning programs at the Language Learning Center enable students to develop their language skills without needing to attend regular in-person language modules. As independent-learners, students make most of the decisions about their learning process themselves. This means that they must engage with questions about their goals, study time, and the learning methods best suited to them. In order to help students answer these questions, the SLZ offers various forms of supervision and support for independent learning projects. In these modules students can earn 6 ECTS credits (for more, see registration and process1).
Werbevideo Individuelles Lernen
Bild © Universität Bonn / YouTube
Is independent learning right for me?
Independent learning is the right for you if you want a flexible, autonomous, and location-independent learning environment. This form of learning enables you to profit from the opportunity of learning a foreign language at your own rhythm and pace, of setting your own schedule, and of choosing the materials and methods that enable you to flourish.
Independent learning also means that the responsibility of designing your learning environment and holding yourself accountable falls on you. However, this does not mean that we, at the SLZ, will leave you without assistance. Instead, we will offer you a wide range of learning support services.
Would this learning environment suit you? We are happy to offer advice and help you determine whether it is the right choice.
Registration and Procedure
Students interested in independent learning modules must register on BASIS2. Each semester, there are two possible registration periods (see deadlines and news3). In each module, there are a maximum of 25 available places.
If students complete their independent learning modules in accordance with the curricular specifications of their chosen subject (elective-, interdisciplinary practice-, optional areas), they can earn 6 ECTS credits. The registration process on BASIS2 is supervised by the teachers responsible for the respective course offers.
As part of the module, participation in several events over the course of the semester and the completion of all eLearning units is mandatory. To find out more information about the mandatory components of the module, please read the section about Learning Support and Resources4. All current module dates are listed on BASIS2.
Before registration, please read the general guidelines on registration and placement5 at the SLZ.
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English
levels B2.2 Academic Reading & Writing, C1.1 Academic Reading & Writing
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French
levels A1, A2 for returning language students, and A2
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Italian
level A1
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Dutch
level A2 (including A1)
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Portuguese (Brazilian)
level B1 (summer semester only)
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Russian
level A1 (winter semester only)
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Schwedish
level A2 (including A1)
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Spanish
levels A1 and A2
To help you successfully complete your language learning project, there are a wide variety of support services you can access. Firstly, we offer cross-language programs, which can help you structure and create a learning plan. In addition, you can make use of our language-specific offers, which include one-on-one preparation for the exam with a language teacher. If you’re still searching for more material, you can find other helpful resources in the IKM library.
Cross-Language Offers
Several types of support are available to students regardless of the language they want to study. This support includes specialized seminars, eLearning-units, tutorials on language learning, individual consultations, and tutoring sessions.
Introductory Seminar
During the mandatory introductory seminar, students receive an overview of the structure of the semester, as well as a brief introduction to the independent learning support services.
Seminars and Tutorials
In an interactive setting, you can find out more about the ways to design your learning project, which strategies are best suited for you, and which methods you can use to evaluate your learning process. To read more about our current offers and registration options, please visit our virtual workspace on eCampus. The following options are available to you:
- Seminar on Organising your Learning (mandatory)
- Tutorial on Learning Strategies (optional)
- Tutorial Rosetta Stone (optional)
- Tutorial Exchange of Experiences (optional)
Office Hours
To discuss specific questions about your learning project, please visit us during our office hours, which we hold every Monday during the semester from 2-3 pm. To schedule a 15-minute appointment, please book in advance via the booking portal on eCampus.
Tutoring
For questions that are not language-specific, you can reach out to tutors during the lecture period. To schedule a one-on-one meeting, simply contact a tutor via email.
Language-Specific Offers
In addition to our cross-language opportunities, we also offer language-specific exercises that target pronunciation and conversational competence, as well as other oral and written skills. To prepare for these group sessions, students independently work through a series of eLearning units that deepen their language skills over the course of the semester.
Pronunciation training
In this group session, students gain valuable insights into the general and phonetic peculiarities of their chosen language, and, depending on the language, the new writing system. Aided by the language teacher, students can practice their pronunciation and intonation.
Conversation training
In this teacher-led group session, students train their conversational skills on relevant, subject-specific topics.
Skills training
This group session is typically held before the final module exam. During this session, students have the opportunity to pose questions to a language teacher, as well as practice their oral and written skills prior to the exam. In this session, students can work through the problems they might have encountered and confidently approach the exam.
The current event dates are listed on BASIS under the individual module descriptions.
Offers in the Multimedia Library
Our multimedia library offers students a wide range of learning materials and self-study courses. Moreover, it doubles as a great study spot for students.
Study materials
We offer a range of study materials that will help you target specific language skills in depth. For more information about the materials available in each foreign language, please visit our virtual workspace on eCampus. In addition to a detailed overview of our materials, you will also find links to other freely available online study resources.
Language Learning Software for Independent-Learners
Members of the University of Bonn can also use the interactive language learning platform Rosetta Stone free of charge. This program enables students to learn languages anywhere, and at any time: on a computer, or via the app on a tablet or smartphone. To use the platform, register with your University of Bonn email address. You can find more information on the website of the University and State Library of Bonn (ULB)6.
Reference Library
In addition, students can access a selection of self-study courses in the reference library. Most of these materials are best suited for foreign language learners at beginner level. Please be aware that copies of these study materials are only available on-site at the library and cannot be loaned.
Contact
Contact for questions about independent learning
If you have any questions about the independent learning modules, please reach out to us using the following contact form. Your message will be answered as quickly as possible.
Bastian Fuchs
M.A.
3.021
Lennéstraße 6
53113 Bonn
Links
- https://www.ikm.uni-bonn.de/en/language-learning-center/accompanied-autonomous-foreign-language-learning/independent-learning#AnmeldungAblauf
- https://www.ikm.uni-bonn.de/www.basis.uni-bonn.de
- https://www.ikm.uni-bonn.de/en/language-learning-center/sprachlernzentrum#SLZFristenAktuelles
- https://www.ikm.uni-bonn.de/en/language-learning-center/accompanied-autonomous-foreign-language-learning/independent-learning#Lernbegleitung
- https://www.ikm.uni-bonn.de/en/language-learning-center/language-modules-information-faq/registration
- https://www.ikm.uni-bonn.de/ulb.uni-bonn.de
- https://www.ikm.uni-bonn.de/en/language-learning-center/accompanied-autonomous-foreign-language-learning/contact-form