CML Seminar | Student Empowerment in Foreign Language Learning and Beyond

There are many avenues and opportunities for Student empowerment in a university setting, which range from self-directed learning to content creation. Using NTU's German language classes as a test-bed, it is argued that the Flipped Classroom concept provides students with an effective learning experience, but it needs to be adequately scaffolded in order to be beneficial. In 2016 all German language classes adopted a Blended Learning approach, and in 2017 a Flipped Classroom concept has been launched through the introduction of pre-class eLessons. To support the students' self-directed learning process, eStudentMentors are recruited to facilitated a conducive digital platform as an extension of the classroom experience. Thus, beginner level students come in contact with grammatical content prior to the F2F time, while being supported by peers throughout the process. As such, higher0level students are empowered to provide support for the learners at the beginner level, while being engaged in peer teaching within their own F2F time. The various practices nurture a sense of community, which promotes collective learning and support. As empowering students in the study process arguably facilitated deeper learning, student empowerment in the module design stage is now being investigated as part of a research project supported by the EdeX Grant 2019.

Patricia Lorenz studied at the University of Freiburg, Germany, and the University of Glasgow, Scotland. She has been teaching English and German as a foreign language for 15 years and lectured Communication and Journalism at Curtin and Murdoch University. Currently, Patricia is a lecturer and the German language coordinator at CML. Her research focuses on the use of education technologies in Blended Learning and Flipped Classroom settings and Student Empowerment.

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