English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) & Lehrwerkstatt

The ability to teach in English is an indispensable skill in the academic marketplace. In this program, EMI Navigator, university instructors will learn methods for lecturing competently in English while considering how to establish clear standards that take cultural differences into account. This program is not meant to interfere with your teaching methods. On the contrary, we will work together to adapt your teaching materials for an English-speaking international audience. You bring the subject knowledge, and we provide the language and intercultural competence so that you and your students can have the best possible communication.

Our program  - EMI Navigator | Helping you do your best teaching in English - supports you as you adapt your teaching content into English:

Please feel free to contact me, Gretchen Chojnacki-Herbers, if you have any questions, or visit us on our ILIAS page: EMI Navigator

Technical and Academic Writing Skills for PhD Students, Post-Docs, and Researchers (digital workshop)

Research writing in English is an indispensable skill in today’s international academic environment. Scholars must be able to write effectively for journal publications and conferences. This workshop will identify the main problem areas non-native speakers have when writing academic English and provide tips on how to improve. In this two-day workshop, the participants will sharpen their academic writing skills in English with a particular focus on the learning objectives below to improve non-native speakers’ common problem areas. 

Kommunikation im akademischen Alltag – German as a Foreign Language (DaF)

You want to enter into conversations comfortably with colleagues in German? Sometimes simple communication can be a challenge.

How can I have a conversation at the university? How do I start a conversation? What phrases can I use in everyday academic life? What rules of communication do I need to follow?

These are the questions we deal with in this workshop. You will learn the most important phrases used in everyday academic life. Introductory sentences at the beginning of a conversation, phrases of politeness, bridging sentences. The basics of communication are taught and practiced in this workshop. The focus is on interaction. You will learn techniques for proactively shaping a conversation.

Small Talk und Netzwerken auf Tagungen und Konferenzen – German as a Foreign Language (DaF)

Practice German / Interactive forms of communication in the university context

Once a certain language level has been reached, it is difficult to implement what has been learned in everyday university life, or to transfer it into active language use. Through conversations about everyday German culture, the handling of the German language, as well as its flexible implementation are to be interactively promoted. The focus is on simple small talk in everyday situations at the university as well as networking at meetings and conferences. Since this course is geared to the special interests and needs of the participants, there is no fixed course program in advance. In joint discussions, minor gaps in knowledge are uncovered and worked through individually. This workshop is aimed specifically at international doctoral students, post-docs and scientists at the University of Stuttgart who would like to deepen their German language skills in certain topics.

Body Languages of Cultures and their Effect

Recognize and interpret non-verbal messages in an intercultural context and use them appropriately.

Non-verbal messages through facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, posture, and proxemics not only reveal plenty about our feelings and social relationships, but also tell us about our cultural roots. In this workshop, the focus is on the effect and impact of body language in different cultures.
The same gesture can have different meanings in different cultures. This harbors the great danger of misunderstandings and potential for conflict. The importance of body language in intercultural interaction has so far been completely underestimated. It is not only advantageous to be familiar with country-specific non-verbal communication, but the appropriate use of body language can make a decisive contribution to successful communication.

Accent Reduction and Voice Training in English - Workshop for PhD Students, Post-Docs, and Researchers

Develop and enhance your English pronunciation skills for a variety of professional academic contexts.

Do you feel you have a foreign accent when you speak English, one that possibly detracts from your professional image when delivering presentations, participating in meetings, and teaching in English? Would you be interested in fine-tuning your accent so that it matches your high level of English? If so, this workshop offers an opportunity for Ph.D. students, post-docs and lecturers to polish their pronunciation.

Germany - A short trip to cultural understanding and simple every day German

When living in a foreign country, we are often challenged by situations in everyday life that we sometimes find hard to grasp or to understand. These so-called critical incidents are part of our intercultural experience. In this course we will have a look at some cultural theories and approaches in order to acquire a set of tools for helping us in these “critical incident situations”. We will also discuss the aspect of stereotypes and clichés and have a quick glance at some basic aspects relating to the geography, history and institutions of Germany.
Apart from training our cultural awareness, we will also train our German language skills by learning basic vocabulary and grammar in order to be able to communicate in daily life situations.

COIN: Chances und Challenges - Working productively and results-oriented in multicultural teams

A possible failure in the work process is largely caused by communication problems.
Fellow students and colleagues come from different parts of the world and bring with them a cultural diversity of personal stories (experiences, influences, backgrounds, life plans). This colorful mix is undoubtedly a great enrichment, but also an enormous challenge. Each individual brings culturally determined communication styles and preferred communication strategies to their team, which harbors potential misunderstandings and areas of conflict.
In this workshop, we reflect on our culturally specific communication behavior and develop solution strategies that contribute to successful and goal-oriented cooperation.