The second group of German language teachers completed their training programme “Deutsch lehren lernen 6” after submitting their teaching documentations at the end of April 2024. The implementation of this training programme was included in the Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation and the Agreement on Professional Development of German Language Teachers, signed by the Pedagogical Institute and the Goethe-Institut Bosnia and Herzegovina in July 2023. The training lasted 10 weeks and was focused on the development of the key competencies and the application of methodological and didactic principles, while some of the unavoidable determinants were: focus on the development of students’ competencies, placing students at the centre of the educational process, active involvement of students in classes, promotion of interactivity between teachers and students, support for the development of students’ autonomy, integration of intercultural aspects in teaching and learning, focus on tasks in classes, encouragement of students’ multilingualism.
The DLL places a special emphasis on action research, that is, practical training of teachers. Through continuous monitoring and experimentation, the teachers had the opportunity to observe and evaluate their own and others’ teaching, recognize new opportunities for action in teaching and expand their theoretical knowledge through inquiry-based learning and experience. Research projects (PEPs) proved to be a key tool of action research. Focused on their own teaching practice, they enabled the teachers to conduct thoughtful and structured monitoring and evaluation of teaching and exchange experiences with other participants, which resulted in new insights into different teaching situations. The teachers presented their research projects at the seminar organised on 20 April 2024 in Zenica when they showed great expertise, creativity and commitment.
Another important element within the DLL programme is the Teaching Documentations (UDOs). They play a key role in the development of teachers and the improvement of German language teaching. UDOs include recordings of authentic German language with different target groups and in different situations and environments, and the main purpose lies in teaching observation and critical reflection. This enables teachers to observe teaching in its overall context and fosters a deeper understanding of different teaching strategies and methods.
With the professional and inspiring guidance of Goethe-Institut tutors Mirela Suljagić-Omerhodžić and Ivana Četić, 11 German language teachers successfully completed the training and they will be awarded an internationally recognized certificate. The contribution of this training is reflected in the improvement of the quality of teaching in numerous schools where these teachers work and represents support for the professional development of each individual teacher.
