Current Programme

This workshop is cancelled due to illness. It will take place at a later date.

Workshop: Memorising like a pro: Mnemonic techniques for everyday student life
Mon 2 Nov, 12.15–1.45 pm
Target audience: Students

An introduction to the Loci method (memory palace), storytelling and other techniques for memorising facts, vocabulary or definitions in a flash.

with Gabriele Palm, Co-ordinator and Lecturer in German as a Foreign Language (C1–C2)

Workshop: Book Club
Tue 10 Nov, 1.30 pm to 3 pm
Target audience: Students and staff | Prerequisite: German at B2 level or above

Come and join the h_da book club! Bring along your (current) favourite book – whatever language it’s written in. First, we’ll do a bit of silent reading, and then you can present your book to a small group. For anyone who enjoys talking about literature!

With Jennifer Christen, Co-ordinator and Lecturer in General English | Sabine Kasten, Lecturer for Special Assignments in German as a Foreign Language

Study coaching: Smart Listening – Understanding rather than translating
Thu 12 Nov, 3.00–4.00 pm
Target audience: Students and staff

How can you understand conversations better, even without knowing every word? Discover practical listening strategies with examples from various languages.

with Dr Alessandra d’Aquino Hilt, Italian Co-ordination and Teaching

Workshop: Experiencing Germany – Housing, City Life and Mobility
Tue 24 Nov, 12.30–1.30 pm
Target audience: international students | Prerequisite: German at B2 level or above

Lecture and discussion: What is life like in Germany, juggling shared flats, studies, commuting, cycling, public transport and rising rents?

with Julia Baumann, lecturer specialising in German as a Foreign Language

Workshop: The Art of Chinese Calligraphy
Tue 1 Dec, 2.00–3.00 pm
Target audience: Students and staff

Curious about Chinese characters? Discover the art of Chinese calligraphy, learn about its cultural significance and get creative yourself with brush and ink.

with Mingjiu Ma, adjunct lecturer

Workshop: Discover & Learn with VR
Wed 9 Dec, 12 noon–2 pm
Target audience: Students and staff | hosted in English and German (no knowledge of German required)

Explore virtual learning and experiential worlds and try out AI-supported scenarios for conversations, presentations, exams and other authentic communication situations. Follow-up feedback sessions with the avatar enable targeted language coaching. Discover new ways of immersive teaching and learning.

You can try out the following programmes on VR headsets:

Ovation | Virtual Speech | Crafting Crimes | Unesco World Heritage Sites in Germany |  Anne Frank House

with Dr Stefanie Morgret, Coordinator for German as a Foreign Language (DaF A1–B2), and Uta Hameister, member of the “Immersive Learning with DUO and VR” project. Offered in co-operation with the Media department/Prof. Paul Grimm.

Workshop: Beyond Words – Navigating Intercultural Communication
Tue 15 Dec, 12:00–13:30
Target audience: Students and staff | Language of the event: English (B1 level and above)

Through real-life scenarios, group activities and discussions, we will examine different communication styles, politeness, non-verbal communication and the hidden assumptions that can shape our understanding of others.

You will also have the opportunity to reflect on your own communication habits and discover practical strategies for navigating intercultural misunderstandings.

with Dr Jenese Wray-Boothe, adjunct lecturer

Workshop: Play a game in English! Cards Against Humanity Tournament
Wed 16 Dec, 4-5 pm
Target audience: students and staff | language of the event: English (B1 and above)

Play a game in English! Join the Cards Against Humanity Tournament – the goal is to give humorous answers to the questions on the cards. The best answers win! Practice conversation, learn idioms, and master speaking spontaneously.

with Andrew Larrew, co-ordinator Technical English

Study coaching: Exam preparation for Spanish A1.1
Tue, 19 Jan, 2.00–3.00 pm
Target audience: Students

Let’s tackle the exam together! For all students attending regular language courses who wish to boost their confidence in the exam.

With Marcela Constenla, Spanish Co-ordinator and Lecturer

Workshop: Think. Talk. Text! – From Discussion to Writing (spark meets Writing Workshop)
Wed 20 Jan, 12.30–14.30
Target audience: international students | Prerequisite: German at B2 level or above

In this session, students will discuss a topical social issue, present different viewpoints and learn to express their arguments convincingly in German. Together with the experts, participants will further develop their ideas and write a structured, argumentative text, on which they will receive professional feedback.

With Sabine Kasten, lecturer for special responsibilities in German as a Foreign Language, and Nina Kreis, University Didactics and Digitalisation (HDD) – Writing Workshop section

Study coaching: Exam preparation for Italian A1.1
Thu 4 Feb, 3.00–4.00 pm
Target audience: Students

Let’s tackle the exam together! For all students attending the regular language courses who wish to boost their confidence in the exam.

with Dr Alessandra d’Aquino Hilt, Italian Co-ordinator and Lecturer