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TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)

  • Title graphic: "TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language" in the colours of the UK flag with an image of a double-decker bus on London's Tower Bridge

  • Student Testimonal by Fabian Braun: "Through the lenses of language and culture, learning English offers a unique opportunity to explore and understand oneself, the world, and its inhabitants in a more nuanced and thorough way. I want to help students on that journey and equip them with the tools to walk steadily into a self-determined future."

  • Student testimonial by Malin Brinkmann: "While in most cases, the ultimate motivation of studying TEFL is to become a teacher, it is the opportunity of understanding a multitude of future-oriented topics as well as their underlying concepts and their implications for the EFL classroom that makes it so fun for me. From Climate Fiction to Graphic Novels to Virtual Reality and AI, TEFL has it all."

  • Student testimonal by Nadine Grassmuck: "After completing my undergraduate studies abroad and gaining professional experience in the field of foreign languages, I decided to pursure a deeper understanding of the art and craft of teaching English as a foreign language at the English department of JLU Giessen to gain a comprehensive grasp of the complex pedagogical principles that underlie this discipline."

  • Student Testimonial by Lena Sophie Kühl: "I want to teach English because, in my opinion, it is becoming more and more important to connect with people from different cultures in our globalised world, with English as a common way to communicate."

  • Student testimonial by Patrik Nolte: "I'm studying to become an English teacher because of the subject's broadness. Teaching English is more than just teaching a language. It's also teaching culture and can open pupils up to different cultures!"

  • Student testimonial by Lars Winkler: "English gives me a voice in the world, and I want to help learners find theirs. It is where culture and identity meet. As teachers, we guide learners to navigate this interplay. English is not only a tool for communication but a way for self-expression and connection. Teaching it is an enriching and fun profession that continuously inspires learning and growth. I am grateful to be able to carry out this profession every day."

Deadline for the registration for the First State Examination in TEFL in Spring 2026: 05.11.2025. Click here for further information.

Welcome to TEFL at Giessen University!

Welcome to the field of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) at JLU where, with a dedicated team of lecturers, researchers, and administrative staff, we are here to guide and accompany you on your journey to become confident, inspiring, and innovative English language teachers!

Our department has been one of the most renowned strongholds of TEFL since the 1970s, by virtue of such accomplished professors as Hans-Eberhard Piepho, Lothar Bredella, Michael K. Legutke, Eva Burwitz-Melzer, and Wolfgang Hallet. Bredella, along with his colleague Herbert Christ, pioneered the field of literature-based language teaching (Literaturdidaktik) by leading the only externally funded graduate research program in the history of TEFL: Graduiertenkolleg “Didaktik des Fremdverstehens” (1994 to 2003). Having also established Germany’s most prolific book series in foreign language learning (Gießener Beiträge zur Fremdsprachendidaktik), the department is building upon a lineage of excellence in the field. Together, we are all committed to continuing this legacy. Through both research and teacher education, we strive to foster an outstanding TEFL community where everyone has the support and opportunity to reach their own potential.

 

Title graphic: 'TEFL Staff' with a photo of male workers cleaning the Big Ben

Become acquainted with our TEFL staff from professors to student assistants and explore the latest office hours schedules to book your next one-on-one consultation.

Learn more about our staff

Title graphic: 'TEFL Research'

Stay informed about upcoming events and initiatives and read more about the background, aims and approaches of both ongoing and completed TEFL research projects.

Learn more about our research 

Title graphic: 'TEFL Projects' with an image of the Sydney Opera House

Learn more about TEFL research projects and their contribution to contemporary language teaching and learning.

 

Learn more about our projects

Title graphic: 'Information for Students' with an image of a steam train on a bridge

Do you have questions or need information about your TEFL courses? Explore this section or consult Charly, the interactive TEFLbot, for real-time assistance and further course details.

Learn more about your studies