In this class we will investigate similarities and – more importantly – differences between the two West Germanic languages English and German. The focus will be on the present state of the two languages, but historical developments will be taken into account as well (cf. language typology: analytic vs. synthetic languages). The two languages can be contrasted on several levels, e.g. phonetics/phonology (e.g. phonemes: sand vs. Sand), morphology/word-formation (e.g. number: the beautiful green trees vs. die schönen grünen Bäume), syntax/grammar (e.g. word order: Do you like ... vs. Magst Du ...), or lexicology/semantics (e.g. ‘false friends’: gift vs. Gift). The central aim is to create an awareness of English-German contrasts, which enables teachers to identify and explain interference processes in the language production of EFL learners.
Recommended textbook:
König, Ekkehard and Volker Gast (2018). Understanding English-German Contrasts. 4th ed. Berlin: Erich Schmidt.

In this class we will investigate similarities and – more importantly – differences between the two West Germanic languages English and German. The focus will be on the present state of the two languages, but historical developments will be taken into account as well (cf. language typology: analytic vs. synthetic languages). The two languages can be contrasted on several levels, e.g. phonetics/phonology (e.g. phonemes: sand vs. Sand), morphology/word-formation (e.g. number: the beautiful green trees vs. die schönen grünen Bäume), syntax/grammar (e.g. word order: Do you like ... vs. Magst Du ...), or lexicology/semantics (e.g. ‘false friends’: gift vs. Gift). The central aim is to create an awareness of English-German contrasts, which enables teachers to identify and explain interference processes in the language production of EFL learners.
Recommended textbook:
König, Ekkehard and Volker Gast (2018). Understanding English-German Contrasts. 4th ed. Berlin: Erich Schmidt.

Das Modul wird bilingual in deutscher und englischer Sprache angeboten. Das Modul richtet sich u.a. an internationale Studierende.

Die Studieninhalte werden, in Ergänzung so der Vorlesung, im begleitenden Projektseminar überwiegend selbstgesteuert und eigenverantwortlich erarbeitet. Lernaktivitäten werden von der Lehrenden initiiert und begleitet (begleitetes Selbststudium). Die Kontaktzeiten reduzieren sich auf individuell vereinbarte Betreuungszeiten.


The module is offered bilingually in German and English. The module is aimed, among others, at international students.

The course content, in addition to the lecture, will be predominantly developed through self-directed and independent work in the accompanying project seminar. Learning activities are initiated and supported by the instructor (guided independent study). Contact hours are reduced to individually arranged supervision times.

In dieser Studiengruppe findet der mündliche Prüfungsteil der DAAD-Sprachprüfungen statt.