Spring School 2025
Building bridges through play: German-French encounter in Wuppertal
A visit to the Wuppertal Green Zoo opened up perspectives on extracurricular places of learning for primary schools, especially in science lessons // Photos Jule Lorleberg
During the five-day event, seminars were held by guest lecturers from the Université de Lorraine - including on the topic of "Learning foreign languages through play". In small Franco-German groups, the students tested various games for teaching foreign languages in primary schools and then reflected on their didactic potential.
The students tested various games for foreign language lessons.
The French guests gained an insight into the local education system during a day of work shadowing at a primary school and a kindergarten in Wuppertal. A visit to the Green Zoo in Wuppertal opened up perspectives on extracurricular places of learning for primary schools, particularly in subject lessons.
The intercultural games evening, in which Franco-German teams competed against each other in a pub quiz with questions on European geography, politics and culture, ensured fun and team spirit.
The Spring School took place for the fourth time under the direction of the L-GrIn+ project and offered students from Germany and France the opportunity to exchange ideas on primary school-related topics and to network on a binational basis.
L-GrIn+
The project "Teacher Training Primary School and Special Needs Education International - L-GrIn+", led by Prof Dr Gela Preisfeld, has been carried out at the University of Wuppertal since the beginning of 2025 as part of the "Lehramt.International" funding line of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). It builds on the successful predecessor project L-GrIn and expands it to include the perspective of special needs education. The aim is to systematically and sustainably internationalise teacher training in Wuppertal. Students should gain international perspectives on schools and teaching through study and practical placements at European universities and schools as well as through international formats at their own university - such as spring schools in Wuppertal or joint courses with partner universities. These experiences make a significant contribution to the development of their professionalism as teachers.
Further information on L-GrIn+ can be found on the project website.
