Die verschwundene Fachsprache: Die Entwicklung des Deutschstudiums an der Kopenhagener Wirtschaftsuniversität (CBS) – ein Praxisbericht aus dem Unterricht im Fach „Intersprachliche Wissensvermittlung“

Abstract

This article is a practitioner’s analysis of the past 20 years of curriculum development of the Master Programme “German as a Foreign Language” at Copenhagen Business School. It
analyzes changes in the role and conceptualization of language for specific purposes caused by a shift from knowledge to skills (competences) in Danish study regulations. It is argued that these changes are closely related to developments in educational policy in other European countries. Based on a qualitative study conducted in summer 2013, the major consequences of the changes for learning are discussed. In particular, the findings show that teaching characterized by an overly narrow and pragmatic conceptualization of language for specific purposes can be detrimental to learning, notably to students’ acquisition of action competencies.