Introducing ourselves

Welcome to Sprachenkolleg ausländische Studierende

 

Kappler Straße 57 A

D-79117  Freiburg

Tel. +49 (0)761 / 61103-0

Fax +49 (0)761 / 6110315

E-Mail: Info(at)sprachenkolleg.de

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The „Sprachenkolleg für ausländische Studierende“, founded more than 50 years ago,  is an institution supported by the Archbishopric of Freiburg, in which German as a foreign language is taught to foreign applicants at  the University. The qualified and experienced teaching staff prepare about 150 Students from 40 to 50 countries for the entrance examination to the ‚ Studienkolleg’ or the language examination at the universities (DSH / TestDaF). The Sprachenkolleg cooperates closely with the Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg; for this reason an already (since 1973) existing cooperation contract was renewed with the Language Teaching Center (SLI) of the Freiburg University in 2005.

In addition the Sprachenkolleg is member of the FaDaF (Professional association for German as a foreign language).

As the courses prepare for university studies, applicants who are entitled to attend university are accepted with priority. 

Liane Dischinger, M.A.

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  • Born in Heitersheim
  • After leaving school, trained as a management secretary in Basel
  • Later studied ethnology and Romance studies in Freiburg
  • Master's degree in 1993 
  • Since August 1998 as foreign language secretary at the Sprachenkolleg

 

Dr. Björn Michael Harms

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I come from the Hessian town of Watzenborn near Giessen. "Watz" is an old Hessian word for pig. So Watzenborn used to be a place where there was a well where the pigs were watered. I'm very interested in the history of language, which is why I studied German Medieval Studies (the history of language and literature in the Middle Ages) and then did my doctorate in this subject. I also studied piano at the Musikhochschule Freiburg.

I've been at the Sprachenkolleg since October 2011, and I've been the "Fachleiter" since November 2024. I particularly like the fact that I study here with so many students from different countries and learn a lot about their home countries.

In my free time, I listen to a lot of music and play the piano and recorder. I also have an aquarium.

 

Yvonne Ziegelmeier

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I studied German, English, Scandinavian languages and education. During my studies, I taught German in New Zealand and England and realized how much fun it is to teach others about my language and culture. In order to be well equipped for my dream job, I then completed a DaF course in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut.

I have been teaching German as a foreign language at the Sprachenkolleg and at the University of Freiburg with great enthusiasm since 2004. I have been Director of the Sprachenkolleg since January 2016.

I love traveling and am interested in languages - that's why I think it's so nice to have the whole world gathered at my workplace and to meet students from so many different cultures. I also really like the personal atmosphere and intensive collaboration at the Sprachenkolleg.

When I'm not working, you can often find me outside, e.g. hiking with friends, skiing, reading on the balcony or walking along the Dreisam river.

 

Sara Berger

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I came to Freiburg in 2011 to study German and South Slavic Studies at the University of Freiburg. I liked it here so much that I later continued with a Master's degree in German as a foreign language. I was particularly interested in intercultural language on the internet and therefore studied memes.

I have always found languages exciting, which is perhaps also due to the fact that I grew up bilingually - in addition to German, I have a second mother tongue: Croatian. Languages are not only a means of communication, but also part of our identity. I want to help my students find their very own identity in the German language. What makes me happiest in my work as a German teacher is seeing how the students progress. It's nice to walk this path together at Sprachenkolleg, as it's a wonderful place to meet people.

In my free time, I often do yoga or meet up with friends to play (table) tennis. Sometimes I also prefer to be indoors; then I watch movies and series, read or try out a new recipe.

Dr. Ina Hörmeyer

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I come from the small town of "Haltern am See", which is located in the northern Ruhr area in North Rhine-Westphalia. I started studying German language and literature, philosophy and general linguistics in Münster. I later moved to the University of Freiburg to finish my studies and do my doctorate in German linguistics (i.e. the linguistics of German).

I have been working as a German teacher at Sprachenkolleg since summer 2016 and am very happy to be able to teach here. I particularly like the warm atmosphere at Sprachenkolleg and I think it's great to get to know so many people from different countries and cultures.

I also work as a language researcher and study the conversations of people who can't speak themselves but communicate with the help of language computers.

Jan-Philipp Holzapfel

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I was born in Northeim in southern Lower Saxony in 1983. After graduating from high school and completing my civilian service, I studied German, English and Scandinavian studies in Freiburg, Durham (UK) and Gothenburg and trained as a GFL teacher at the Goethe-Institut (in cooperation with the LMU Munich).

I have been teaching courses at the University of Freiburg since 2008 and also worked there as a research assistant between 2009 and 2013. So far, I have worked abroad in Iceland, Japan, Korea, Pakistan and Sweden at the Goethe-Institut as well as at schools and universities. Most recently, between 2013 and 2019, I worked as a liaison lecturer for the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), supervising German lecturers in German studies at Korean universities and teaching at Ewha Womans University in Seoul.

I have been working as a teacher at Sprachenkolleg since 2020. After receiving a lot of hospitality during my time abroad, my goal here is not only to teach the German language and culture, but also to always be a good host myself.

Rebecca Krebs

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"Zeitlupe", "Ohrwurm" or "Sternenzelt" - small samples of the imaginative richness of the German language! Language(s) and books have surrounded and inspired me since my childhood. I would also like to convey this enthusiasm in my German lessons.

Growing up in Belgium in the international environment of a European school, I have always appreciated multilingual and intercultural encounters. I am happy to continue to indulge in this passion at Sprachenkolleg and to be able to work in a friendly and committed team.

During my German, Dutch and art studies in Oldenburg, I spent two semesters abroad in Bologna. After my studies, I taught German as a foreign language at various universities and language schools, mainly in Berlin. I was already attracted to Freiburg as a high school graduate, but then there were many different stops in between before I happily landed here in 2021.

I love all the greenery in this city and I particularly enjoy spending time by the Dreisam, for example playing the accordion, reading, drawing and, of course, jumping into the water! I have experienced for myself that learning a language is not just a dip in the deep end, but a very pleasant swim, and I hope to pass this pleasure on to others!

 

Hilke Lüttgerding

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I come from Peine, near Hanover, and initially came to Freiburg to study. After my degree (German and Romance studies), I did further training to become a teacher of German as a foreign language because I actually wanted to go abroad to teach German. Then, of course, everything turned out differently than expected, and for a few years now I have been traveling less, but I still meet people from all over the world every day, to whom I can bring my language and culture closer.

I've been teaching at Sprachenkolleg since 2014 and I'm very happy to be one of the (few) people who enjoy going to work every day. It's not only as a student that you learn a lot - in my work I meet people from all over the world and we walk a part of life's journey together, and I also learn so many new things every day - wonderful!
I like to spend my free time outdoors - I've had a vegetable garden for a few years now, I'm trying to learn how to preserve and repair very old cars, I like working with wood, and: I'm really into the theater - watching plays or acting in them myself

Andrea Mullen

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I studied history and anthropology in Freiburg and Dublin and then trained as an interpreter and translator. After that, I started teaching English. I liked that surprisingly well (I never wanted to be a teacher!) and it gave me the idea to do further training to become a GFL teacher. And I'm still very happy about that today!

 

Ina Reising

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  • born on 17.6.1960  
  • at the Sprachenkolleg since 2000 

Why I love my job:

  • The world comes to us at Sprachenkolleg
  • This changes and deepens my own knowledge of the world
  • I accompany young people at an exciting crossroads in their lives
  • The work in our very well-equipped college
  • The close collaboration with colleagues
  • The fundamental willingness to change, even if it is sometimes exhausting
  • The moments when it becomes clear that arduous learning processes have paid off

What I like less:

  • Having to make unpleasant decisions about passing or failing courses
  • The mountains of paper that seem to pile up by themselves and have to be removed sheet by sheet
  • Papers that can't be found when I urgently need them

What I do when I'm not teaching:

  • Learning and playing the clarinet
  • Reading, reading, reading
  • Riding my bike, hiking, enjoying art, going to the movies, going to concerts (especially jazz)

 

Alex Sánchez - Gutwil

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You could say that languages open doors. Helping you to find your own "key" to the German language is my goal as a teacher of German as a foreign language.

I studied German and English in Madrid and Bielefeld and later completed a Master's degree in German as a foreign language at the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg. Since October 2017, I have had the great fortune of being able to teach at Sprachenkolleg. What I particularly appreciate about this institution is the professional and warm-hearted atmosphere and the fact that people with a wide variety of languages and cultures come together at this school. The phrase "The limits of my language are the limits of my world" (by Ludwig Wittgenstein) takes on an instructive dimension at this school, where the horizons of both students and teachers are broadened.

Something I really enjoy doing in my free time is swimming. Otherwise, I like to watch Hitchcock or Doris Dörrie films, collect maps, old postcards and posters, do Qi-Gong from time to time ... I like books to look at, talking pictures and people's stories best.

Barbara Sauer-Boya

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  • Birthplace: Freiburg
  • family: married, 3 children
  • Studies: Political science, French at the Albert-Ludwigs-University; 2 years traineeship at a Gymnasium
  • DaF teaching: since 1988 at the Sprachenkolleg

 

Florian Steger

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Hello, my name is Florian and I am from Schorndorf, near Stuttgart. I studied teaching in Freiburg with the subjects English and History. During my studies I did an additional training in DaF. My goal was to teach German as a foreign language in Canada. I am glad that nothing came of it, because I got a great job at the Sprachenkolleg, where I have been since the summer of 2018.

What I appreciate most about working at the Sprachenkolleg is the coming together of different people with different cultural backgrounds and the high motivation and mutual appreciation of both students and teachers.

Outside of class, I am an enthusiastic road cyclist, hiker and climber. For me, the Black Forest and the mountains are a paradise.

Klaus Wörmcke

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I started working as a DaF teacher in my student days. I enjoyed this job so much from the beginning that I made it my profession in 1996! I have worked in several institutions: University of Freiburg, Goethe-Institut Lyon, Volkshochschule Freiburg and many more. Since 2008 I am at the Sprachenkolleg. The best part of my job is the collaboration with the participants and the fact that even as a teacher you always rediscover your own language.