On 12-13 May 2021, Penza State University and Goethe-Institut hosted a professional development seminar for teachers of the German language devoted to the topic “Differentiated approach in teaching the German language”.

15 German language teachers from Penza and the Penza Region attended the 16-hour professional marathon to improve their methodological, pedagogical and linguistic competence in the field of teaching German as a foreign language.

For two days, the participants of the seminar performed various tasks related to observing and analyzing educational activities on the basis of video recordings of practical classes in the foreign language. In addition, they carried out critical analysis of pedagogical and didactic concepts with the view to the principles and tools of student-centred teaching and learning.

The seminar was oranised in German, which is also an important element in enhancing the professional competence of foreign language teachers.

An important principle of such seminars is the fact that teachers submerge themselves in the role of students, test the tasks and techniques, reflect and develop recommendations for applying the proposed techniques in practice.

The seminar was conducted by Irina Voevodina, the Goethe-Institut multiplier, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Foreign Languages and Methods of Teaching Foreign Languages.

Following the seminar, the participants were awarded with the certificates of Goethe-Institut.