Due to a growing demand for German as the foreign language in Upper Austria, a new model of German support classes was introduced. Teaching German as a foreign language requires specific training and qualifications for teachers. To date, there is a lack of research on the aspects of training needs, therefore this research was conducted. The study aims to identify the specific requirements and challenges faced by teachers in German support classes and to develop the basis for guidelines and recommendations for teachers' training and development. A comprehensive literature analysis was carried out to develop the basis for deep understanding and establish previous research findings and theoretical approaches in terms of the introduction of German support classes and teachers' qualifications in Austria. The study utilised the qualitative research method using interviews which were conducted with two educational specialists and seven teachers at secondary schools in Linz, Upper Austria. The interview questionnaires included parameters such as dealing with intercultural diversity, internal differentiation, support from school management, teacher motivation and the positive and negative aspects of the German support classes. The teachers were also asked about their requests and needs for further development and training programmes. The data from the interview content was analyzed using the qualitative content analysis method. The results showed that specific training measures and targeted support from the school management are required to improve teachers' performance in German support classes. Furthermore, teacher motivation and their ability to communicate interculturally with pupils from diverse backgrounds appear to be the key factors for effective language support. Based on the research findings, recommendations for action were developed for school management and for the Department for Education in Linz. The main recommendations are the optimisation of educational resources and teachers' support, the introduction of external pupil support courses, the provision of technical equipment and raising awareness of multilingual pupil backgrounds in the teaching programmes. The aim of these recommendations is to improve the qualification programmes further and tailor them to the specific needs of teachers in order to optimise the quality of teaching and support for pupils.
Date of Award | Jul 2024 |
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Original language | German (Austria) |
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Supervisor | Franziska Cecon (Supervisor) |
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Untersuchung des Qualifizierungsbedarfs von Lehrkräften in Deutschförderklassen
Shafeeva, I. (Author). Jul 2024
Student thesis: Master's Thesis