Blog​​​​​​ ​​​​ – 2026

On 29–30 September 2026, researchers from Goethe University Frankfurt and TU Braunschweig came together at Frankfurt's Campus Westend for the first TEFL Research Colloquium Frankfurt × Braunschweig. The programme reflected the breadth of current TEFL research supervised by Prof. Dr. Stefanie Frisch, Prof. Dr. Britta Viebrock, Prof. Dr. Carmen Becker and Jun.-Prof. Dr. Jan-Erik Leonhardt. Contributions addressed writing in primary English education, neurodivergence in English classrooms, critical literacy and democratic participation through artistic practices, and international school placements for pre-service EFL teachers. Further topics included gender and LGBTQIA+ representation in series-based English teaching, as well as artificial intelligence and critical digital literacy.

With short presentations followed by extended discussions, the colloquium placed feedback and collaborative thinking at its centre. It welcomed projects at different stages, from initial conceptual and methodological considerations to data analysis and preliminary findings. Each discussion also included time to consider strategic questions about doctoral and postdoctoral qualification pathways and concrete next steps. The second day extended this focus to the framing text for cumulative qualifications and concluded with reflection on future collaboration.

Shared meals, a campus walk and an evening in Sachsenhausen offered further opportunities to connect beyond the formal sessions. Bringing together diverse research interests and perspectives, the first Frankfurt × Braunschweig colloquium created a forum for developing ideas, discussing challenges and strengthening connections between the two TEFL research communities.

In the photo from left to right: Almut Küppers, Subin Nijhawan, Matthias Munsch, Jan-Erik Leonhardt, Kira Schad, Le Thuc Anh Mai, Rieke Dieckhoff, Laura Plackties, Britta Viebrock, Stefanie Frisch, Rachel Hall, Carmen Becker.