Case Study: E-Learning Instruments to Improve German Language Competences

The development of language competences is not always easy, especially in the case of German, which is perceived as much more difficult to master compared to English, because of its long combined words and its complicated grammar with many exceptions. The desire to learn German can be at a peak because of the increased attractiveness on the labour market of jobs needing a German language competence. But this desire is sometimes severely diminished by the vast amount of knowledge and know-how regarding vocabulary and grammar brought to the learner by traditional instruments. While these instruments have a certain value and must not be discarded, e-learning instruments can offer additional support to secure that vast amount of knowledge, while also increase the ability to use it, as well as the motivation to undertake the hard task of mastering German. The paper uses the case study method and it is describing the experience of the authors in combining traditional and e-learning instruments in order to teach German in and beyond the University Politehnica of Bucharest. The different examples described in the case study show how such instruments were implemented, what were their strengths and their weaknesses and how they may contribute to improve German competence for the learners, thus improving the quality of their life, by giving them better chances on the German speaking side of the Romanian and European labour market. The conclusions of the paper point out the main findings as well as the potential for future work in this field.