ZLSK Training course – Zertifikat Lëtzebuerger Sprooch a Kultur

The Zertifikat Lëtzebuerger Sprooch a Kultur (ZLSK) will be offered at the National Language Institute (INL) from September 2023.

For the first time, this course will be offered in a blended learning format. 50% of the courses will be face-to-face (including 15 hours in literature and linguistics and 30 hours in didactics).

The face-to-face courses will always take place on a Saturday, the exact dates will follow.

In addition, the teachers will offer consultation hours during the week to answer any questions that may arise.

Registrations can be made from the end of May 2023.

Target group of the ZLSK training course

This course is aimed at people who wish to train or further develop as a teacher in the field of adult education in municipalities or in a publicly funded field.

Objectives of the ZLSK training course

The training aims to:

to impart knowledge, skills and learning processes in the field of adult education, as well as knowledge of the history of language.
to provide teachers with theoretical and practical knowledge, methods and language didactics.

Content of the ZLSK training course

The course consists of three modules with a total of 120 hours of courses (face-to-face and online), including:

Didactics (60 hours).
Linguistics (30 hours).
Literature and culture (30 hours).
A compulsory internship at the INL (3 x 2 hours) on the practice of teaching Lëtzebuergësch as a foreign language.

ZLSK training programme

The following explanations give you a more specific overview of the teaching and learning programme of the different modules.

Module 1 – Literature and culture

Lëtzebuerger Literaturgeschicht / History of Luxembourg literature
- General introduction to the development of Luxembourg literature from the 19th century to the present day.
- The various literary genres are presented with the help of exemplary texts.
Literaturdidaktik / Didactics of literature
- Reception, interpretation of literary texts and a potential vermëttlung in the course.
Historesch a kulturell aspekter / Historical and literary aspects
- Brief overview of the history of the Grand Duchy and the particularities of the French and German languages and cultures.
- Mention of the various cultural institutions and media in the language.
Soziokulturelle Aspekter / Socio-cultural aspects
- Social characteristics or peculiarities of Luxembourg, such as festivals, customs, mores or culinary habits.

Module 2 – Didactics (60 hours)

Methodik / Methodology
- Varying teaching methods to motivate the class and encourage learners of different levels; developing strategies for teaching vocabulary and helping learners to teach independently.
Übungsmaterial / Training material
- To become familiar with supplementary material (free material, audiovisual material, texts, leaflets, newspaper articles, reports, news) and to assess which material is suitable for use in the classroom.
Erwuessenebildung / Adult education
- Introduction to the basic concepts of Lëtzebuergeschen als Friemsprooch (LaF).
- Teaching the specific conditions under which adults learn a language.
- Learning to manage the classroom, to encourage and motivate learners, to create an atmosphere which is free from fear or discomfort, to deal with unexpected situations or mistakes.

Module 3 – Linguistics and grammar (30 hours)

Sproochgeschicht / History of the language
- Knowledge of the history of the Luxembourgish language in its broad outlines.
Orthography / Spelling
- Basic principles of official spelling
- Knowledge of computer and online programs in order to be able to deepen these basics in self-study (as needed).
Phonetik / Phonetics
- Inductive approach
- Integrative approach
- First introduction to Luxembourg phonetics
- Analysis of the phonetic characteristics that influence spelling.
- Phonetic rules with concrete examples
- Application of phonetics in the classroom by means of practical exercises and texts.
Grammatik / Grammar
- Induktiver Ansatz
- Integrativer Ansatz
- Familiarisation with the basics of Luxembourgish grammar and additional material to answer any grammatical questions the students may have, the rules are explained with the help of concrete texts.
- Through an inductive and integrative approach and texts, grammatical aspects are developed which support the learners’ learning process and their written and oral communication.

Closure

The course ends at the end of the semester with a test and/or an assignment in all modules (in agreement with the teacher). This final work must be practice-oriented.
During the self-study sessions, the candidate is of course supervised by the corresponding holder and receives, for example, information on additional material.
The trainers are also available to talk to the candidates once a week to clarify any questions.

Evaluation and graduation certificate

The assessment of learning is done in the following way:

Assessment of the different modules based on tests, written assignments, a personal presentation (out of 20 points) and continuous assessment.
Regular attendance (more than 75%) and active participation in the courses are mandatory.
The Zertifikat Lëtzebuerger Sprooch a Kultur (ZLSK) diploma is awarded on successful completion of the three modules.
According to the regulations of the Service de la Formation des Adultes (Sfa), this diploma allows the teaching of Lëtzebuerger Sprooch a Kultur in the communes or in a field regulated by law.

Duration, procedure and admission requirements of the ZLSK course

Duration and teaching time

The course is organised in time as follows:

Duration: 2 semesters in total.
Period: academic year 2023/2024
Online & 10 times face-to-face on Saturdays from 9 am to 12 pm and from 1 pm to 4 pm.
The exact dates will be communicated later.

Costs

€100 per semester.

Requirements for admission

High school diploma (classical/technical) or equivalent (recognised).

Skills Mother tongue level in Luxembourgish, at least level C1.

Skills Mother tongue level in Luxembourgish: at least level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages or 7 years of schooling in the Grand Duchy in public or private education according to the Ministry’s programmes.
OR at least 5 years of experience in teaching Luxembourgish before 2009.

Application

Applications must be sent in writing using the following forms

application form.
a copy of the final diploma or a recognised certificate of equivalence.
a cover letter written in Luxembourgish, setting out the candidate’s skills and experience as well as his or her personal expectations concerning the course, if applicable: a document certifying a level of C1 in Luxembourgish.