The tandem in the current semester

The registration for the summer term is now closed. If you are interested in participating, you can register and we will let you know when the next round starts. The tandem will start with the beginning of the lecture period (April for the summer semestser / October for the winter semester).

The tandem runs over the course of one semester. The dates for the information, introductory and reflection session will be announced soon. In addition, we will probably offer a voluntary introduction session to problem-based learning again, a method ideally suited for working in a tandem. All further information and dates will be announced here and send to the participants via email.

Since the winter semester 20/21 we have been successfully coorperating with Virginia Tech, allowing us to provide our students with more native English speakers as tandem partners. Since this semester, the University of Massachusetts has also joined, and plans are underway with other English-speaking universities. These tandems will, of course, continue to take place through Zoom. If you would like to attend in person or via Zoom only, please indicate this when you register. More collaborations with foreign universities are planned.

Problem-based learning

In Tandem.MINT you can not only expand your intercultural skills and language knowledge, we also offer an introduction to problem-based learning now. This is a method to learn how to define problems independently that are based on relevant, contextual and real-life situations. By working on a problem together on the basis of prior knowledge, research and joint discussion, you can develop new subject-specific learning and thinking strategies that can be useful in later professional life.

Certificate Option

A certificate of participation (Tandem.MINT certificate) will be issued under the following conditions:

1. Participation in the information and introduction session at the beginning of the semester
2. Participation in at least 13 meetings of 90 minutes each with your tandem partner
3. Participation in the reflection session in the middle of the semester
4. Submission of a written or recorded (audio) summary at the end of the tandem program

You need to provide proof of successful participation by the end of the semester and hand in a written summary to the Project Coordination Office. We will certify the period of participation in the program and the target language covered by the tandem. In addition, we will provide a general description of the components and objectives of the program. The certificate does not include an assessment of performance or language level.

CP Option

Credit points will we certified under the following conditions:

1. Participation in the information and introductory session at the beginning of the semester
2. Participation in at least 13 meetings of 90 minutes each with your tandem partner
3. Participation in the reflection session in the middle of the semester
4. One-time participation in the language café (Sprachcafé)
5. Detailed documentation and evaluation of at least five representative sessions
6. An annotated compilation of samples from your tandem partnership (e.g. texts, notes, vocabulary development, online research, project work)
7. Submission of a detailed written summary or an audio reflection at the end of the tandem program

The additional requirements for 5 CP are:

• every meeting has to be documented and evaluated in detail
• at the beginning, around the middle and towards the end of the semester, three audio or video reports have to be handed in (further information will be given in the information session and on Moodle)

You need to provide proof of successful participation by the end of the semester and hand in a written or recorded (audio) summary and the required documentation of your tandem sessions to the Project Coordination Office.