SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS (SIGs)
Currently there are 5 Special Interest Groups (SIGS):
- German Ab Initio (GAIN)
- University mobilities and exchanges in German-speaking countries
- Inclusive and innovative assessment
- KI in der DaF Sprachlehre
- German for Professional Purposes
If you are interested and want to find out more about a specific group, you can get in touch with the named lead (see below). For joining a group, please fill in the Special Interest Group joining form.
German Ab Initio (GAIN)
Contact:
Dagmar Paulus, UCL, d.paulus@ucl.ac.uk.
From 2026, the German Ab Initio Network (GAIN) will continue to exist as a SIG (special interest group) within the German Language Association. This network was founded in 2016 in order to provide a networking platform for teachers of German ab initio in UK and Irish Higher Education. In 2022, we published an ab initio handbook with UCL Press. We will meet once a year as part of the GLA annual meeting and discuss all things ab initio. As before, this is primarily intended as a networking opportunity, but we will also offer short ab initio-themed presentations as well as exchange ideas and materials for teaching. All are welcome!
University mobilities and exchanges in German-speaking countries
Contact:
John Goodyear, University of Birmingham, : j.goodyear@bham.ac.uk.
Diese Special Interest Group (SIG) widmet sich der Förderung und Weiterentwicklung universitärer Austauschformate mit dem deutschsprachigen Raum; seien sie kurz- bis langfristige Mobilitäten, Studierenden- und Lehrendenaustausch sowie Forschungskooperationen. Sie bündelt und präsentiert Best-Practice-Beispiele von Hochschulen zur Organisation und Finanzierung von Mobilitätsprogrammen und stärkt durch gezielte Vernetzung nachhaltige Partnerschaften. Zu den potenziellen Interessierten gehören unter anderem Year Abroad- und Austauschkoordinatorinnen (insbesondere für Ziele im deutschsprachigen Raum) sowie Mitarbeitende zentraler Servicebereiche an Hochschulen.
Inclusive and innovative assessment
Contact:
Engracia Fernandez-Navas, University of Sheffield, e.fernandez-navas@sheffield.ac.uk.
This Special Interest Group focuses on Inclusive and Innovative Assessment, bringing together teachers of German who are interested in shaping evolving assessment practices. From 2026, we will meet annually at the GLA conference to discuss testing, marking, feedback, and the future of testing in higher education, especially focusing on how assessment is changing to become more inclusive and how AI is transforming the assessment process. The SIG offers a platform for meaningful exchange, networking, and sharing materials and ideas. All colleagues involved in or curious about assessment are warmly invited to join.
KI in der DaF-Sprachlehre
Contact:
Cornelia Wiedenhofer, Oxford University Language Centre, cornelia.wiedenhofer@lang.ox.uk.
Diese Interessensgruppe (SIG) bringt Lehrende für Deutsch zusammen, die sich für die Rolle und den Einsatz von KI in der Sprachlehre interessieren – unabhängig davon, ob sie gerade erst anfangen, bereits experimentieren oder über fundierte Erfahrungen verfügen. Die SIG ist praxisorientiert und bietet eine Plattform, um Ideen auszutauschen, neue Ansätze und Einsatzszenarien zu diskutieren, bei Interesse kleinere kollaborative Projekte zu entwickeln und sich über institutionelle Strategien und Leitlinien auszutauschen. Ziel ist es, praktische und nachhaltige Innovation zu unterstützen, indem wir ausloten, wie sich KI und Pädagogik gegenseitig sinnvoll beeinflussen können. Die inhaltlichen Schwerpunkte der SIG orientieren sich an den Interessen und Prioritäten ihrer Mitglieder. Alle sind herzlich willkommen!
German for Professional Purposes
Contact:
Zhanna Kozmenko-Ihssen, Durham University, Zhanna.kozmenko-issen@durham.ac.uk
Christiane Günther, Swansea University, c.guenther@swansea.ac.uk.
This Special Interest Group focuses on German for Professional Purposes, bringing together colleagues who teach Business German courses as well as general German language courses where professional communication plays a role. The group explores how German is used in workplace contexts and how we can best support learners who engage with German in business, industry, and organisational communication.
We collaborate on small projects, share ideas, and exchange teaching materials and examples from practice. The SIG also organises events open to a wider audience, including webinars on career-related topics and sessions that offer insights into professional communication with German-speaking partners.
We want to provide a space for meaningful exchange, networking, and collaborative exploration of how German can support professional development and cooperation. All colleagues with an interest in German in professional contexts, whether in Business German or general language courses, are warmly invited to join.