DW’s status as a worldwide leader in supporting German language learning was on display at the International German Teachers Conference that ran from July 29 to August 1 in Bozen. DW was praised at the conference for being instrumental in helping German learners master the language by promoting enthusiastic learning. During the event, DW presented the entire spectrum of its language courses with a panel, lectures and an information stand. Around 400 spectators attended the panel where unconventional teaching methods, such as using music, were discussed.  “Singing along is a good way to access and develop a language,” said Shirin Kasraeian, a language learning project coordinator at DW. As part of DW’s language-learning program, they recently enlisted the hip-hop group EINSHOCH6  – who performed at the conference.

Hans-Ulrich-Seidt, a former German diplomat and head of the Culture and Communication department at the German Federal Foreign Office praised DW’s role as an important worldwide mediator of the German language, especially in cooperation with the Goethe Institut, the world’s foremost German language school. The IDT conference is the largest of its kind anywhere in the world.

Deutsche Welle launched its second season of “Jojo sucht das Glück” today at the International German Olympics (IDO) in Frankfurt. The innovative language-learning web soap is designed to give younger people an interesting look at life, love and language… German style. The first season premiered in July 2010 and has assembled an impressive fan base since then. The Jojo fan page on Facebook also gives German students insights into the life of their favorite German exchange student. The concept  won over the jury of the German Network of E-Learning Protagonists (D-ELAN) and the association honored Jojo with its innovation prize at the start of 2011 – calling it a “well-rounded e-learning package with custom-tailored use of various media and learning formats”.

Yes and no. With the title An invisible woman taught me German, the Slate’s Mark Garrison gives a good overview of what DW offers language learners: “One of the best language lessons of my life came from a randy invisible woman named X, a talking owl with her own creepy theme song, and young sleuths with relationship issues.”

What might sound strange at first only highlights the wide range of German language courses available online from DW. According to Garrison: “Extensive and absolutely free offerings that are quite possibly the most unusual language courses around. They’re well worth checking out if you want to learn German.”

Twenty radio stations in Pakistan have picked up a series of German language courses from Deutsche Welle. “German – Why not?” was broadcast for the first time yesterday and the 26-episode series will continue until January 2012 on radio stations throughout the country. Included are the metropolitan areas of Islamabad and Lahore as well as many rural areas. Although it is considered one of the most-loved second languages in Pakistan, there is a lack of German language courses. DW hopes to fill in these gaps.The course will be broadcast every Monday at 10:00 am local time.

Find out more about DW’s German courses or contact our Business and Sales team.