EMI@UoC
English Medium Instruction (EMI), the use of English as the language of instruction for degree programs outside of English and American Studies, is becoming increasingly important in the context of the internationalization of (German) higher education, including here at the UoC. In order to further expand measures to support students and teachers in EMI contexts and to ensure that these measures can continue to be provided in the future, the Language Lab is currently conducting a multiphase study on this topic. Through online surveys, focus groups, and interviews, the study examines the perceptions, expectations, and experiences of students and teachers regarding English-taught degree programs at the University of Cologne.
The initial stage of the study centers on students. Titled Student Voices: EMI@UoC ,a survey, specifically aimed at students of EMI degree programs here at the UoC, is available online since September 2025. We would like to cordially invite all eligible students to participate.
Next to completing the online survey, EMI students have the opportunity to participate in focus group interviews. Accompanied by one of the two project managers, students from different EMI degree programs will exchange their experiences, expectations, and challenges in groups of six to eight people. Together with the results of the online survey, this will help identify students’ needs for measures that facilitate and continuously support studying in EMI contexts. This provides students with the opportunity to improve their study program – for themselves and future students to come!
The focus group interviews will last for up to 60 minutes, will take place in the rooms of the Language Lab in the basement of the SSC building, and are scheduled for weeks 49 and 50. Each participant will receive 20€ as compensation for their time.
Are you currently enrolled in an EMI program at the UzK and would like to participate in a focus group interview?
Click here to Register!
Algerian Arabic
From November 2025, the German-Algerian cultural association yedd e.V. will be offering courses in Algerian Arabic (Darija).
The courses are open to everyone, be they students and researchers with an interest in the Maghreb, travel enthusiasts, people with family ties to the region or any other language enthusiasts. Those with an interest in other Maghreb-Arabic dialects (Tunisian, Moroccan) are also welcome.
The courses start at the beginning of November and take place online on Zoom. The following courses are offered:
- Algerian Arabic/Darija beginners' course 1, Mondays, 18:30 to 20:00 (from November 3)
- Algerian Arabic/Darija level 2, Wednesdays 18:30 to 20:00 (from November 5)
- Algerian Arabic/Darija, conversation course intermediate level 3, Mondays 18:30 to 20:00 (from November 3)
An advanced conversation course can also be offered on request.
The courses comprise ten sessions, course price is 120 euros.
If you are interested, please contact yedd.kulturverein(at)gmail(dot)com.
Conference participation LIEMC4
On 19 and 20 October 2024, Dr Kathrin Brandt and Friederike Zahn took part in the international conference Language, Identity and Education in Multilingual Contexts (LIEMC4) at the University of Cyprus. In their presentation entitled How Affective Factors Influence Metalinguistic Awareness in a Foreign Language, they presented the results of a university-wide survey that was designed, coordinated and analysed by the language lab team.
The survey was conducted online in the summer semester of 2024 and was aimed at all students at the University of Cologne who were planning a stay abroad - whether as part of an exchange semester or an internship - within or outside Europe. In addition to multi-step grammaticality judgements on English structures, which were intended to measure the degree of metalinguistic awareness of the participants, numerous extra-linguistic factors were surveyed. The aim was to correlate metalinguistic awareness with aspects such as language competence, (further) foreign language skills, individual learner biographies as well as motivation and objectives for the stay abroad. In line with relevant specialist literature, this study also showed that a high level of language competence - in this case in English -, knowledge of other foreign languages and a high level of self-motivation correlate positively with the degree of linguistic awareness.
The study also revealed that traditional language courses are still very popular when preparing for a stay abroad. At the same time, however, students are increasingly turning to digital and asynchronous programmes and materials, particularly due to limited time and capacity resources. Language learning apps are the most popular asynchronous offering, but are often not used in the long term due to a lack of guidance and feedback. To counteract this, the language lab team is currently working on preparing the language learning materials available in the media library specifically for autonomous learning and exam preparation. In addition, almost all participants stated that they actively consume the target language via social media, online video and podcast portals and streaming services. In order to further support students in this area, the language lab is continuously expanding its internal link list in collaboration with teachers of various foreign languages, which refers to helpful resources organised by language.