North-India & Nepal
German Teachers' Conference 2024

Just as a musical potpourri brings together various popular works or melodies to form a song, the DLT-Potpourri invites you to a varied mix of info-sessions and short presentations on various topics. Learn more about the services offered by the Goethe-Institut and its partner organizations, experience short specialist presentations on the conference topic of "Artificial Intelligence" and get to know the new textbooks for the classroom. The DLT-Potpourri summarizes important information and interesting topics in short presentations. 

Moderation: Fabian Welt | Project Manager | Schools: Partners for the Future (PASCH), Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan New Delhi

About the workshop

Even if AI tools are incredibly powerful, their success often depends on how precise and effective the prompts are. In this interactive workshop, we will focus on how to properly formulate these prompts for AI tools. We will go through various strategies and best practices to ensure that the inputs are optimal to achieve the desired results. 

About the expert 

Puneet Kaur is head of Educational Services at Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan New Delhi and is engaged in different German-Teachers-Associations. She is also a founding member and President of the Indo German Teachers Association “InDaF” – a registered society with over 1000 members. Since 2014 she is the General Secretary of the International German Teachers Association-(IDV). This is the umbrella organization of all German Teachers Association worldwide. For decades, she has been closely connected with the German language and culture but also has a great curiosity about everything else that moves the world.

About the workshop

Imagine a classroom in which not only the unique learning style but also the individual needs and dreams of all learners are taken into account. Thanks to artificial intelligence, this has already been a reality in today's educational landscape. The importance of AI continues to grow for teachers while changing traditional forms of teaching methods. In this workshop, we will learn how AI adaptive learning systems and tools can tailor educational content to the individual needs of students, optimize learning outcomes and promote academic success for all learners.

About the Experts 

Isha Virmani has been working as a German teacher at school since 2015. She has a Masters in English Literature and has done her C2 certificate from Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan New Delhi. She started her career as a corporate trainer but her inclination towards training and teaching brought her back to school. She also works as a workshop leader and facilitator for youth camps.

 

Nidhi Grover is a passionate German teacher by profession and currently teaches at DPS Rohini. Nidhi became a teacher because she wants to teach her students the German language exactly the way she learned it back then. 

About the Workshop

How can Generative Artificial Intelligence and Large Language Models (LLMs) help us in language teaching and practicing foreign languages? Where do these innovative technologies make sense - and where not (yet)? This is what we want to explore in this workshop. We will examine various use cases of LLMs: from the creation of individual vocabulary and grammar exercises, to the correction of tasks, to AI as a partner in language tandems. Together and interactively, we put the LLMs through their paces - and their (artificial) brains.

Participants require at least a smartphone, preferably with the App "Chat GPT ", ideally a laptop.

About the expert

Paul Heeren is a former astrophysicist and data scientist who now works as a Project Manager for Skilled Workers at the Goethe-Institut in New Delhi. Because of (or despite) his practical knowledge in Machine Learning, he is fascinated by Generative Artificial Intelligence, especially he likes to use Large Language Models in his work. He also appreciates ChatGPT as a patient conversation partner when practicing his Hindi skills.

About the Workshop

In a world in which AI can provide countless pieces of information, write, translate and correct texts within seconds, the question arises as to what will be the key "human" skill that leads to success in the future. Without question: EI - Emotional Intelligence. EI is not only a significant part of our everyday lives, but according to research, it is also an evident aspect of success in professional life and higher social recognition. What exactly is EI?  How can I use and teach it in the classroom to prepare students for the target language country? Why are intra- and interpersonal aspects, understanding of learning and executive emotions (e.g. joy of learning, hope for success in exams) and constructive conflict analysis essential in foreign language teaching? Let's take the path of "human intelligence" together using examples from the renowned textbook "Prima aktiv" (Cornelsen).

About the Expert

Anjali Kothari is an author, trainer, teacher, methodological and didactic consultant and multiplier. She comes from Idar-Oberstein, Germany. Her multifaceted work includes teaching children, youth and adults at the Goethe-Institut Chennai - India, as well as working as an author and methodological didactic consultant for textbooks in the DaF field. She has contributed to more than 11 textbooks for the international market, including Hallo Deutsch, Prima los geht's and Prima aktiv. She is also an accompanying teacher for the "Grünes Diplom", a multiplier in the field of further education and digital teaching as well as a tutor for DLL. She is also known for her differentiated workshops, intercultural seminars, concept development, jury for DaF competitions and as a Cornelsen consultant for India. Her motto: "It must come from the heart to have an effect on the heart."  (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)

Just as a musical potpourri brings together various popular works or melodies to form a song, the DLT-Potpourri invites you to a varied mix of info-sessions and short presentations on various topics. Learn more about the services offered by the Goethe-Institut and its partner organizations, experience short specialist presentations on the conference topic of "Artificial Intelligence" and get to know the new textbooks for the classroom. The DLT-Potpourri summarizes important information and interesting topics in short presentations. 

Moderation: Fabian Welt | Project Manager | Schools: Partners for the Future (PASCH), Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan New Delhi
 

About the workshop

Ever-changing media landscapes have direct and indirect consequences of foreign-language learning. Far from AI chatbots, MOOCs, and learning apps taking over, the role of teachers as guides and resources of knowledge seems to have been strengthened in the wake of the pandemic.
This workshop is meant to provide an overview of digital German-language media, which can be used both for classroom/exam content and as a means to enculturate students willing to go beyond learning a new vocabulary and grammar. Participants in the workshop will enrich their media competency by gaining a systematic understanding of the current media landscape in German-speaking countries, followed by a brief summary of technological tools to aid them in their work. While the workshop centers around a set of slides which can be shared afterward, questions and lively discussions are encouraged throughout.

About the expert

Dr Jan-Helge Weidemann joined the Department of Germanic and Romance Studies of the Delhi University as DAAD lecturer in August 2020. Until 2018, he had been teaching in Guangzhou and Shanghai (China) for six years in total. He received his bachelor’s degree from Jacobs University Bremen, Germany, in History and Theory of Art and Literature, which he followed up with an MA in Film Studies at the University of Southampton in the UK. He completed his PhD in Literature at Jacobs University in 2012, writing about cinematic experience from the perspective of media anthropology.

Über den Workshop

In diesem praxisnahen Workshop werden Einsatzmöglichkeiten von KI im Sprachunterricht vorgestellt und diskutiert. Der Fokus liegt dabei auf der Einfachheit der Tools. Es werden unter anderem folgenden Tools vorgestellt:

• KI-Tools für Visualisierungen
• KI-Tools, um Video- und Höraufgaben zu erstellen
• KI-Quiztools zur Prüfungs- und Wiederholungsvorbereitung
• KI-Tools zur Planung von Unterrichtseinheiten, Projektarbeiten
• ChatGPT-Cheat Sheets (effizienter Einsatz von ChatGPT für die eigene Unterrichtsvorbereitung)
• KI-Tools für das wissenschaftliche Schreiben

Über den Referenten 

Prof. Dr. Thomas Strasser ist Professor für Fremdsprachendidaktik und technologieunterstütztes Lehren und Lernen an der Pädagogischen Hochschule Wien. Seine Forschungsschwerpunkte sind unter anderem KI, Mobiles Lernen, Fremdsprachendidaktik und Educational Applications. Nebenbei ist er als Sprachlehrer, Lehrer*innenfortbildner, (Schul)buchautor, internationaler Vortragender und als internationaler Reviewer für wissenschaftliche Journals tätig. Wenn er nicht gerade beruflich eingespannt ist, findet man ihn im Westfalenstadion als glühenden Borussia Dortmund - Fan oder beim Marathonlaufen.

About the Workshop

The workshop serves as an introduction to the IB Diploma Program for German as a Foreign Language (Ab Initio + Language B SL/HL) and is aimed at teachers with little or no experience in teaching IB DP German. It is suitable for teachers working in schools that have either recently introduced the IB DP or are planning on introducing it next academic year. 

About the expert

Timothy Strack has been the Language Advisor at the Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan New Delhi since 2023 and is responsible for the network of PASCH schools in South Asia. Mr. Strack completed his Bachelor's degree in degree in Politics and Hispanic Studies at the University of Birmingham, where he also received his Teaching Certificate in German and Spanish as a Foreign Language and his Master of Education. Over the last 10 years he has worked as a teacher in Germany, the UK, Spain, Australia and China and is familiar with both the British curriculum and the International Baccalaureate (IB).

About the workshop

Kontext, the new textbook for advanced learners, guides adult learners safely from B1+ to C1 in three volumes or six sub-volumes, focuses on the four skills and mediation and prepares them specifically and effectively for all standard exams. The Kontext textbook is completely new, but retains some tried and tested structural elements from its predecessor, Aspekte. Kontext is based on the CEFR and the new CEFR companion volume and consistently implements their learning objectives such as mediation (language mediation, pluricultural competence, language activities for team organization and much more). The modular structure of Kontext allows teachers to teach flexibly and thus enables tailor-made lessons depending on the course structure. A special feature at B1+ level is the volume Kontext B1+ express, which is designed for fast-track courses and teaches all B1+ content in a compact and intensive way. We invite you to discover the specific features and unique application possibilities of Kontext together in the workshop!

About the expert 

Jennifer M. Swanda has been working as a consultant and advisor for German as a foreign language abroad at Ernst Klett Sprachen in Stuttgart since September 2016 and is mainly responsible for the regions Asia, MENA and Southeast Europe. For many years, she has also been involved in the topic of professional migration and German for the workplace and regularly gives workshops on the topic of "DaF-Übungsfirma jms". She was on assignment as part of the Flying Faculty Program at the GJU in Jordan in 2020 and in May 2022 she was on site in Madaba at the GJU for job shadowing and collegial exchange. In addition to her work as a teacher at the Goethe-Institut in Bangalore and at youth courses in Germany from 2009-2016, she also worked in India as a multiplier and nationwide as a seminar leader. She also worked as a freelance language specialist and translator for English-German.

About the Workshop

This workshop literally dances out of line. We want to waltz together with you and embark on a lively journey to Austria. A little exercise will certainly do you good after the impressions of the first workshops. 

About the expert

Michael Pal is Director of the Austrian Cultural Forum at the Austrian Embassy in New Delhi. In his spare time, he is a passionate dancer. 

About the Workshop

The teaching context of German as a foreign language is characterized by heterogeneity, where different learner backgrounds and learner variables play a significant role in addition to other external factors. In order to enable the participation of all learners in the classroom context, an inclusive pedagogy is required. An inclusive pedagogy is based on interdisciplinary theoretical approaches from the social sciences, learning psychology and critical pedagogy. This will be presented in this workshop and barriers to inclusion in the teaching context of GFL will be discussed and structured with workshop participants using specific learner profiles. In addition, power-critical reflection will be encouraged using the Power Flower. Selected AI tools such as Google Text-to-Speech and Speech-to-Text, TalkPal AI, Deutsch-Mentor, ChatGPT etc. will be discussed with the teachers as a means of overcoming barriers to inclusion in the classroom context, tried out and tested for their effectiveness. Finally, the workshop participants draw up an action plan for their own teaching practice.

About the Expert

Aparna Achal is a PhD candidate at Jawaharlal Nehru University. Her doctoral project titled "Participatory Inclusion in the Teaching Context of German as a Foreign Language in India: A Comprehensive Didactic Model" reflects her deep interest in inclusive pedagogy and participatory didactics. She has several years of teaching experience and has mainly taught and counseled adults and adolescents at Goethe Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan New Delhi and German Language Circle, Rohini. She is currently teaching B.A. students as a Junior Research Fellow at JNU. She is passionate about incorporating insights from theory and current technologies into her own teaching practice to optimize the learning process for her learners and make it inclusive. Her flexible teaching style, responsive to learners and their abilities, as well as her enthusiasm and positive attitude make her a popular teacher among her learners.

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP

Join us and discover how we can find a balance between work and private life and fill your teaching career with joy. Our workshop will provide you with effective methods and practical advice to better manage your professional life. Through interactive exercises, you will learn how to recognize and reduce stress and promote your inner strength.

ABOUT THE Experts

Charu Katyal is a dedicated German teacher with a passion for teaching and continuous learning. She is always curious and enthusiastic about discovering and exploring new things. Apart from teaching at the Goethe-Institut, she also organizes and conducts workshops for both children and teachers. Her workshops are designed to be interactive and exciting in order to develop the language skills of the participants in a playful way and to awaken their interest in the German language.

Meha Kumar is an experienced German teacher currently working at Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan New Delhi. She is always eager to learn and apply new methods and didactics. With her expertise, she has conducted numerous workshops for teachers and students.

About the workshop

In today's digital world, the use of technology in German classes offers a wide range of opportunities to make language teaching more effective and motivating. This workshop highlights the advantages and potential of smart learning methods in German classes and introduces innovative apps and digital tools that can promote students' learning success.

Participants will receive:

• Insights into the advantages of technology-based learning in GFL lessons
• Knowledge of innovative apps and digital tools for the classes
• Practical tips and ideas for integrating technology into their own lessons
• Inspiration for creating smart learning experiences that are fun and successful for students

Together we will explore the many ways in which technology can enrich your classes and pave the way to becoming a DaF-professional.

About the experts 

Sabina Chowdhary is an experienced and dedicated German language teacher with over 22 years of professional experience. Her passion for languages and her deep knowledge of German culture and grammar have made her an outstanding educator. In her long career, Ms. Chowdhary has successfully prepared countless students for language exams and helped them improve their communicative skills. She creates a positive learning atmosphere and integrates innovative teaching techniques and current media into her lessons to keep the language learning process lively and relevant. She has also led numerous workshops and training sessions where she shares her expertise with other teachers. To keep herself up to date in her field, she regularly attends Goethe-Institut training courses.

Lakshita Sharma has been working as a German teacher since 2011. She currently teaches at a Pasch school in New Delhi. She studied German language and literature at Delhi University and graduated in 2011. She then took part in a summer course at Heidelberg University. Over the years, she has learned and benefited a lot from numerous German seminars and workshops. She is still, like 14 years ago, strongly influenced by the German language and literature. She enjoys working with children and young people. It is important to her that her learners recognize, exploit and use their abilities or talents. When she is not working, she spends her time with music or in nature. Her motto when working with young people is: "Not everyone learns the same things at the same time in the same way!" (Kathy Walker)

About the workshop

Der Einsatz von KI in unterrichtsbezogenen Kontexten erhitzt momentan die Gemüter. Die Integration von KI in die Lehre wird unweigerlich zu einer Tatsache werden. Wie kann zeitgemäßer Sprachunterricht darauf reagieren? Wie lässt sich KI produktiv und mit einem Mehrwert in die Lehre einbinden? Unsere ersten Versuche zeigen, dass sie auch eine Bereicherung darstellen und gewissermaßen als Freund und Helfer fungieren kann. Behindert sie dabei aber die Ausbildung von kritischem und selbständigem Denken unserer Lernenden? In diesem Workshop wollen wir diesen Fragen nachgehen und gemeinsam darüber nachdenken, wie KI authentische Sprachinteraktionen simulieren und die kommunikativen Fähigkeiten der Lernenden aller Niveaustufen verbessern kann.

About the Expert

Sabine Hellwig is Senior Portfolio Manager at Cornelsen in Berlin and is responsible for an extensive portfolio for German as a foreign and second language. As a trainer and dvct-certified coach, she is primarily concerned with the personal handling of changes in a digital world, especially with regard to artificial intelligence. Sabine has international experience in the training of teachers of German as a foreign and second language.

About the Workshop

In an age where everything is controlled by science and technology, it is no wonder that an area that was exclusively reserved for humans is being threatened by machines. Today we hear a lot about Google Translator, Chat GPT, DEEPL etc. What kind of tools are they and how do they work? These translation tools use artificial intelligence, in particular machine learning and neural networks, to translate texts from one language to another. This technology has made considerable progress in recent years.

This workshop will address the following questions: 

• What is the impact of AI on the translation profession?
• What advantages and disadvantages does it bring?
• Will texts and translations soon be 100% machine-generated?
• What challenges will the new AI tools pose for the work of translators?
• What can and cannot AI tools do in translation?

About the expert

Dr Shipra Chaturvedi is teaching German since 1984, in premier institutes like the Indian Institute of Management, The English and Foreign Language University, Amity University, Babu Banarsi Das University, and Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management & Development. She is also running the German Akademie in collaboration with Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan, New Delhi since 1996 and a knownTeachers’ trainer, Disseminator of Max Mueller Bhavan Goethe Institute. Dr Chaturvedi works as aCoordinator for the Lucknow region of the Kendriya Vidyalaya Project of Max Mueller Bhavan and is North zone representative of InDaf (Indo German Teachers Association).She translated literary works from German to Hindi, Bengali to Hindi, Bengali to German. Translated non-literary works from German to English and English to German. On the specialist panel for the setting of question papers, conducting viva, and correcting the answer sheet for institutes like Amity University, IIS University, Jaipur, HP University, Himachal Pradesh, Lucknow University, Banasthali Vidyapeeth, Jaipur. She also did many translations for business organizations and banks of their legal and technical documents - German to English and is former Principal - Career Convent Montessori School, Lucknow.

About the Workshop

In the workshop, we will look at the use of AI-based chatbots such as ChatGPT 4, Mondly, Babbel, Memorize etc. Our aim is to motivate German teachers to use the features of these AI-based chatbots to promote not only their own language competence but also that of their learners. The workshop will use various learning activities and examples to explain how teachers and learners can use these AI tools to improve their communication and writing skills. Through group activities, they will also learn how to perform language-related error correction using these tools. At the end of the workshop, we will have a short discussion on how participants can gain a brief insight into data protection and copyright using the generated materials.

Über die Referentinnen 

Eiti Burman has been teaching German since 2017 and completed her Grünes Diplom in 2019. She also worked as a library technician in the library for two years. She enjoys passing on her passion for methodology and didactics in workshops and training courses. 

Palak Seth has been teaching German at the Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan New Delhi since 2014 and completed her Grünes Diplom in 2017. In addition to teaching, she also works as a workshop leader and subject expert. 

About the Workshop

In diesem Workshop werfen wir einen Blick in die 2 neuen Lehrwerke "Maximum" und "Gute Idee", die von nun an im Unterricht benutzt werden können. Die Autorinnen und Mitwirkenden dieser Lehrbücher geben einen detaillierten Einblick in den Aufbau und die Neuerungen und geben praktische Tipps, wie die Lehrwerke im Unterricht eingesetzt werden sollten. 

About the experts

Pooja Parwanda and Parul Sharma are passionate teachers with years of teaching experience. They have worked together as authors on the new textbook "Maximum". 

Aditi Balwani has been teaching German at the Goethe-Institut for many years with great dedication and is the author of the new textbook "Gute Idee". 
 

About the Workshop

If Goethe and Mozart had written their works with the help of AI, would these artists have been so highly praised? What would have happened if ChatGPT and co. had spit out the famous quotes from these celebrities? Would we still remember them today? Can artificial intelligence replicate true creativity, even though the most innovative and influential ideas emerge from the complex interplay of human emotions, experiences and perspectives? In this workshop, we will apply our own creativity and compare the results with AI to find out which is more enjoyable. Participants will also gain knowledge on how to foster creativity in their learners.

About the Expert

Kavita Chhabra has been working as a German teacher for young people and adults for more than thirteen years. Thanks to the support of the Goethe-Institut, she has been able to gain a lot of experience during her long career and develop herself further to work as a multiplier and project consultant at the Goethe-Institut. As a trained and experienced trainer, she has led many training courses on various topics such as "Interaction-oriented teaching", "Lesson planning", "Creative writing", "Diversity of materials in German classes", etc.. As a DLL course leader, she always tries to pass on her knowledge and support future teachers in learning to teach and familiarizing themselves with many aspects of teaching.

About the Workshop

How can we use artificial intelligence to support language learning? Many learners already use AI tools to help them with writing tasks or independent learning. Teachers can also use AI for their lessons. Whether for planning or as support for text work, the decisive factor is a reflective approach to the technology. In this workshop, you will discover innovative approaches using various examples of how AI-based tools can help to differentiate lessons and help course participants to learn independently. The focus is specifically on practical application.

About the Expert 

Henriette Reiche is a research assistant on the Master's degree program in German as a foreign/second language at the University of Mainz and teaches German as a foreign/second language at universities and language schools. She has gained experience in both face-to-face and online formats. In addition to teaching in adult education, she also worked for a year as a DaZ teacher at an elementary school. Her seminars and research focus on digital teaching and teacher training, with an emphasis on the influence of artificial intelligence on foreign language teaching.

About the workshop

This workshop will help you prepare your students for the FIT 1 and A2 FIT exams. You will receive practical tips, methods and strategies for successful exam preparation. The workshop offers you the opportunity to share your own experiences and challenges and to work on solutions together with colleagues. Through targeted support, you can boost your students' self-confidence and improve their performance.

About the Expert

Ms. Shilpa Sharma has been working for the last 12 years with the Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan New Delhi as a language trainer and an Intercultural Facilitator for young and adult learners. Her areas of interest are usage of Media in Teaching, student centred pedagogy, curriculum development and teacher’s trainings. She has worked on various projects related to German in schools and several freelance projects as well. In her current capacity she is responsible for private schools offering German in North India.