Nichole Neuman, School of Liberal Arts
Principal Investigator: Nichole Neuman, assistant professor, Department of World Languages and Cultures, School of Liberal Arts
Project Title: Online Grammar Labs for German Language Sequence
Funding Level: $5,000
Abstract: The German Program at IUPUI is a small, but strong language program within the Department of World Languages and Cultures. Instruction encompasses multiple 3xx and 4xx level courses annually, as well as two years of sequenced language study (German 1- 4), which combined regularly enroll upwards of 300 students per academic year. While student engagement and interest are high, the emphasis on cultural engagement and knowledge means a shared emphasis on grammar, vocabulary, and cultural instruction. During the last two decades, language programs, including IUPUI’s German Program, have moved away from a structural approach or grammar-translation approach to language instruction that utilizes of a combination of direct and communicative methods with some isolation of necessary grammar rules and structures. While our students are often able to communicate their ideas, desires, and identities fluently and confidently, their grammar often lacks precision as they progress through the language sequence to 1) consistently and accurately convey meaning and 2) grasp higher level grammatical concepts, which build upon easier, foundational concepts in the second year and beyond. To bolster their understanding of fundamental grammatical concepts, we propose to build online grammar labs, delivered through Canvas, that reinforce fundamental and necessary grammar knowledge that will support student learning as they progress through the sequence and even major and minor in the language. In addition to the contextual grammar knowledge students’ books reinforce, this dedicated lab will focus on basic skills through multiple modalities which will their improve comprehension and production in German.
