Teaching

Teaching Experience

  • Spring 2015

    HS Comparative Corpus Linguistics, with Prof. Dr. Carola Trips

    University of Mannheim

    How can linguistic assumptions be proven? Will traditional rules and definitions still hold up when looking at 'real data'? And if not, how can new ones be found looking at the data? In the seminar introduced the students to working with corpora and to give them the tools to do research on German and English Corpora. Based on this, the students were instructed to work on their own research projects where they analyzed linguistic phenomena and re-examined assumptions on linguistic phenomena by means of corpora. Working with German and English corpora (written and spoken), the research projects focussed on a comparative analysis, e.g. comparing phenomena of both languages as well as within various modes of communication (written vs. spoken use).

  • Fall 2013

    Towards modern English, assistance for Dr. Christine Günther

    University of Mannheim

    Why isn't it possible today to say “Why speakest thou like this” whereas it was perfectly fine to utter this sentence in earlier stages of English? And why does a compound like for example the Old English wif-man (“woman+human being”) undergo changes to develop into the simplex woman that we find in Modern English today? This course deals with a number of fundamental changes in English focussing on morphology and syntax (like for example the change from OV to VO, the development of modal verbs, the rise of suffixes and fossilised compounds) but also taking into account concomitant changes on the level of phonology, semantics and the lexicon. By describing and analysing these changes we will get insights into the nature of language change and a better understanding of why the Modern English system is as we find it today. Apart from the diachronic aspect, the class offers the possibility to refresh your knowledge of English grammar (in a descriptive and theoretical way) and to learn something about foreign accent (especially how to avoid it!).The class serves as a good preparation for the linguistic (diachronic) part of the oral exam (Staatsexamen and other degrees).

  • 2011 2010

    German Language Assistant of the Pedagogic Exchange Service (PAD)

    Erskine Stewar's Melville Schools, Edinburgh, Scotland

    Working in the German Language Departments of the Mary Erskine School and the Stewart's Melville College I gave German classes to pupils from the fifth grade up to the A-levels. I especially focussed on improving their abilities in conversation and spoken language but also on explaing the german grammar. As a language assistant I also supported the local teaching staff in the modern language department.