Meeting with Goethe-Institut Representatives Held at UzSWLU

Meeting with Goethe-Institut Representatives Held at UzSWLU

On September 4, Rector of Uzbekistan State World Languages University I. Tuxtasinov received Barbara Anna Bernsmeier, Head of the Goethe-Institut Representative Office in Uzbekistan, Dildora Mukhammadaminova, Head of the Language Department, and representatives of the Education Cooperation Department Gayrat Hafizov and Sayyora Turaqulova.

The meeting was also attended by Kh. Yuldashev, Head of the International Cooperation Department of UzSWLU, A. Khalillayev, Dean of the Faculty of Romano-Germanic Philology, and I. Ziyadullayev, Head of the Department of German Philology.

At the beginning of the meeting, the guests were shown a video highlighting the activities of UzSWLU and the university’s achievements in recent years. I. Tuxtasinov provided information on the current state of German language teaching at the university, as well as cooperation with German higher education institutions, the Goethe-Institut, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), and the Embassy of Germany in Uzbekistan.

During the meeting, Barbara Anna Bernsmeier presented proposals regarding the Goethe-Institut’s activities and prospects for further cooperation. In particular, the participants discussed organizing a scientific and practical conference at UzSWLU on September 28 dedicated to the outcomes of the “DLL – Learning to Teach German” project, conducting German language tests, and establishing a Goethe Centre at the university.

Rector I. Tuxtasinov expressed his gratitude to the Goethe-Institut for its long-standing practical support and endorsed the proposal to establish a Goethe Centre. He also proposed expanding cooperation in organizing seminars, training sessions and professional development courses for German language teachers, as well as providing them with modern textbooks and teaching materials.

Regarding the organization of testing, it was proposed to launch preparatory courses for German language examinations and conduct the tests at the planned Goethe Centre under UzSWLU. It was noted that the experience of the “Korean Education and Culture” Centre established with the support of KOICA could be used in creating a German-language environment at the Centre.

Dildora Mukhammadaminova, Head of the Language Department of the Goethe-Institut, announced plans to organize special courses for German language teachers at UzSWLU and provide a 50 percent discount on test fees. It was also announced that applications for the competition for internships and professional development programmes at German universities can be submitted until October 15.

I. Tuxtasinov also proposed introducing Dutch, a language closely related to German, into the curriculum as a third foreign language. Barbara Anna Bernsmeier expressed her readiness to contact the Goethe-Institut office in Amsterdam and discuss the possibility of attracting Dutch language specialists to UzSWLU.

At the end of the meeting, both sides expressed their readiness to further develop cooperation. The guests were then accompanied to the Faculty of Romano-Germanic Philology.