Courses 2026-28
| Language, Culture and Intercultural Communication (Minor's 1st year, 1-2 modules) | This course introduces students to foundational concepts in language, culture, and intercultural communication, with a particular focus on their relevance to language learning and teaching. Students will examine how languages operate within social and cultural contexts and how language reflects cultural values, identities, and social structures. The course explores the implications of these relationships for effective communication and for designing culturally responsive language instruction. Throughout the course, you will engage in practical activities, such as a creative project that applies course concepts, an educational online game, and a language analysis that consolidates the knowledge in pedagogical linguistics acquired during the course. |
| Didactics and Language Teaching (Minor's 1st year, 3-4 modules) | Students will develop an understanding of general teaching principles and explore how these principles apply specifically to foreign language instruction in the digital age. The course discusses concepts such as the role of the teacher, effective lesson planning and classroom management in both online and face-to-face environments. You will learn to deliver content clearly, scaffold skill development, and understand the principles of effective feedback and meaningful assessment. The course also emphasizes practical aspects of teaching. You will learn frameworks for teaching the four core language skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) as well as the main language systems (vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and functions). As part of the practical component, you will design a lesson plan and participate in peer-teaching sessions to apply, and reflect on, the methods studied. You will also create tasks using AI-powered tools. |
| Learning Foreign Languages In the Digital Age (Minor's 2nd year, 1-2 modules) | This course introduces students to how languages are learned and how the learning process can be organized effectively using modern technologies. It covers factors that influence language acquisition as well as learner characteristics and preferences, all within the context of how this knowledge supports teaching. You will also explore psychological aspects such as motivation and memorization, and learn strategies to engage learners through edutainment. Practical activities include exploring and critically evaluating textbooks and digital tools, experimenting with AI-powered language learning applications, and applying effective language learning principles in interactive, technology-enhanced teaching settings. |
| Language Teaching Today: Principles and Practices (Minor's 2nd year, 3-4 modules) | This course prepares students to become effective and creative language teachers in the digital age. You will explore current principles, methods, and approaches to language teaching and learn how to work with a range of learner groups, including young learners, individual students, business students, and exam preparation classes, in face-to-face, online, and blended environments. Course activities include practicing language presentation (peer-teaching), AI-assisted lesson planning, planning extracurricular events and analyzing real teaching cases. You will also gain insight into how language schools operate and what is required to start your own. Legal and ethical aspects of teaching, including informed and responsible use of AI tools, will be addressed as well. As a final project, you will create a professional teacher’s portfolio to support future job applications. |