Abstract:

An important task for eLearning didactics in the area of learning foreign languages is the creation of basics for autonomous learning, i.e. basics for the individual language acquisition.
This means that next to the methodological computer based design of the language courses, inter alia with the aim of internal differentiation of learner groups and individual support of students, learning materials have to be provided on the Internet for students and teachers.

A model for this scenario is the "Training Program German" (https://elearning.aau.at/?q=node/55) that has been developed at the Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt in cooperation with the eLearning department and the language center "German in Austria“. It is based on the following propositions:

• The users of the program have easy access to the files: no login is required and the materials can be immediately accessed, the chosen exercises solved and checked whether or not they are correct.
• The individual documents can be downloaded and be used in print for language course or for individual training.
• The usage of the program is free of charge.

In order to achieve the goals, simple word documents and hot-potatoes-files are used. In the word documents, the places, where the users have to solve the exercises, are highlighted with the signal color yellow (yellow errors and boxes).

The theoretical respectively language didactic basis of the program are the regulations of the “Language levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEF)” and its concrete specification for the German language in the publication “Profile Deutsch”. In a next step, the program is structured according to the receptive linguistic abilities “reading” and “listening” competences in the chapters “texts” and “listening texts” as well as the language systematic chapters “vocabulary” and “grammar”. These chapters are split into three subprograms according to the level definition of the “CEF” respectively of “Profile Deutsch”:
• Program A: for students of the level A1 and A2 (basic speaker)
• Program B: for students of the level B1 (independent speaker)
• Program C: for students of the level B2 and C1 (proficient speaker)

Additionally, program C incorporates a part called “News” which is regularly updated with information from Austrian media. The productive abilities of “speaking” and “writing” are not yet included, due to lacking interactive possibilities. However, the program offers many textual inspirations for the language course (e.g., for discussions or creative writing projects).

The intuitive handling of the program is supported by a color-code system as well as by specific icons. Thus, the green “bee” reflects level A, the brown “squirrel” the level B and the red “owl” level C. Furthermore, the individual chapters are again coded by other icons and colors, e.g. the green, brown or red treasure chest reflects the chapter “vocabulary”.

Every interested person can use the “Training Program German” at any time for individual learning activities. It additionally offers language teachers a magnitude of additional learning materials. Hence, on the one hand side it offers a broad program for interested students learning German and on the other hand side contributes, due to the easy handling, to the democratization of language learning.

Keywords:

On-line language learning, German training program, autonomous learning, free learning resources.