17486

Entwicklung, Forschung, Evaluation. Variante 1: Performative Approach to Language Teaching, Evidence from Neuroscience

Michaela Sambanis

Comments

The focus of this seminar is the professional activity of teaching English as a foreign language (EFL), considered both theoretically (as an object of investigation) and practically (as it is realized in the classroom). From the perspective of Performative Didactics, the course covers selected issues in teaching English as a foreign language (the arts in language teaching, digital texts, multilingualism, creativity in the classroom, etc.). Performative Didactics is defined as an approach that emphasizes embodied learning and draws on techniques and processes from the performing arts, amongst others from theater. Students get the possibility to discover activities for the EFL classroom inspired by Performative Didactics as well as Positive Psychology (focusing on strengths & flourishing as well as on student & teacher wellbeing).

The course gives insight into relevant studies (didactic & neuroscientific findings), and other scholarly publications. These will be critically discussed by the participants together with the lecturer, and linked to theoretical foundations, to the current body of knowledge, and to practical considerations/teaching ideas.

Students are expected to attend class regularly and to participate actively, which includes a presentation ("Referat (ca. 10 Minuten) mit Ausarbeitung (ca. 5 Seiten)").

Focus areas: Performative Didactics, research from didactics, neuroscience and other sister disciplines, Positive Psychology, teaching ideas.

Recommended readings:

Sambanis, M. & Ludwig, C. (2024): Happy Learning – Glücklich und erfolgreich Sprachen lernen. München: Hueber.
Sambanis, M. & Walter, M. (2022): Make it work! Interaktive Impulse zum Sprachenlernen. Von neuesten Befunden der Neurowissenschaft zu konkreten Unterrichtsimpulsen. Berlin: Cornelsen (Reihe Neurowissenschaftliche Impulse). Berlin: Cornelsen.

Course structure: Lectures, seminars, teaching activities, group work, performative components, presentations plus feedback, and discussions.