About us
The Chair of Research on Foreign Language Learning and Teaching: Didactics of English, led by Prof. Dr. Tanja Angelovska, is dedicated to the study of teaching and learning processes in English as a foreign language, with a strong focus on multilingual perspectives and cognitive approaches. Close interdisciplinary connections exist with psychology, applied linguistics/psycholinguistics, and cognitive science, which provide key theoretical and methodological foundations for our work.
Our research is centered on evidence-based design and optimization of English language teaching and learning. Special emphasis is placed on fostering inclusive and multilingual learning environments and on the professional development of future teachers across all school levels, with the integration of various digital tools in both teaching and research.
A distinctive feature of our chair is the close integration of experimental learning research and practice-oriented educational research. Empirical studies provide in-depth insights into psycholinguistically grounded learning processes and the cognitive mechanisms involved in learning English as a foreign language. Learner-related variables are analyzed to develop informed didactic concepts. These findings directly inform the design of instructional interventions, which are evaluated in realistic settings, such as simulated or authentic classroom environments.
We place particular emphasis on the systematic interplay between theory, empirical evidence, and teaching practice in teacher education. Students working with our chair engage with authentic learner data and are introduced to empirical research early in their studies.
We highly value strong partnerships with international partners (Texas A&M University: Prof. Dr. Roberto Heredia, Wilfrid Laurier University: Prof. Dr. John Schwieter, University College London: Prof. Dr. Roberto Fillipi and Prof. Dr. Jim McKinley, University College Dublin: Prof. Dr. Alessandro Benati, University of Salzburg: Prof. Dr. Dietmar Roehm, University of Warsaw: Dr. Agnieszka Kaldonek-Crnjakovic, Dr. Magdalena Walenta and Prof. Dr. Agnieszka Otwinowska-Kasztelanic) with whom we have several joint research initiatives. These partnerships support the exchange of innovative approaches, promote joint empirical studies, and contribute to the advancement of research-based English language teaching and learning.
Equally valuable are the collaborations we maintain locally at the University of Kassel. The interdisciplinary ZFF-pilot project TELL-ME ("The effects of typological proximity and spaced language learning practice on memory retention in multilingual learners"), led by our chair, involves close collaboration with Prof. Dr. Mirjam Ebersbach (Developmental and Educational Psychology), Prof. Dr. Holden Härtl (English Linguistics), and Prof. Dr. Claudia Schlaak (Research on Foreign Language Learning and Teaching of Romance Languages). The project integrates didactic, psychological, and linguistic perspectives to investigate grammar acquisition in multilingual learners.
We also value and foster collaborations with local schools, enabling students to engage with learners even before their practical teaching phases. This early involvement fosters a fine-tuned understanding of real-world teaching challenges and supports the development of professional competencies—from language-sensitive instruction and differentiated teaching methods to the support of multilingual learners.