1. Austrian Armed Forces Language Institute Enhancement of linguistic and intercultural competence through syndicate-work based language training

2. Syndicate work participants Participants of the German language course Level 2 at the AAF LngInst Students of Strassergasse High School

3. Aims of this syndicate-work based language training For the students of Strassergasse High School Preparing a new topic together with non-native speakers Supporting a non-native speaker in preparing and giving a presentation Preparing an interesting and well elaborated presentation Getting experience in intercultural affairs during syndicate work

4. Aims of the syndicate-work based language training For the participants of the German language course Enhancing the language competence of the course participants Working in a multinational syndicate in the German language together with Austrian students Improving their capability to prepare and give presentations Dealing with a specific topic and language in preparing a presentation Getting experience in intercultural affairs during the syndicate work

5. Setup 12 Participants of the language course (BG, China, HU, UKR, HR, FYROM, LO, BiH); start of syndicate work after 240 lessons of the STANAG-2 course 35 – 45 High school students (17 – 19 years old) About 12 lessons for syndicate work About 12 lessons for specific information 4 lessons for presentations Military seminar centre at Seebenstein (with access to the internet)

6. Schedule during this work Welcome address Presentations prepared by course participants Forming the syndicates (1 course participant, 3-5 students) Information input Tasking the syndicates Syndicate work Excursions to task-related organisations Syndicate presentations

7. Why Location SEEBENSTEIN ? Seminar centre of the Austrian Armed Forces Small town about 60 kms from Vienna near the Theresan Military Academy Students and course participants had to stay in town, so they worked and talked together even in the evening (total-immersion learning situation) Internet was available

8. Task „Prepare and give a presentation of the water and energy resources management of the home country of the German language course participant“ Setup About 10 – 15 minutes, use PowerPoint and internet Course participant has to give the presentation

9. Topic-related information and excursions

10. Impressions

16. Test results Results of the Proficiency Test at the end of the course Listening: 12 candidates reached 2 Speaking: 4 reached 1+, 4 reached 2, 4 reached 2+ Reading: 2 reached 1+, 10 reached 2 Writing: 12 reached 2

17. Conclusions Intensive intercultural training Intensive German language training Topic-based presentations Well done presentations Total immersion language training Test results show that especially speaking skills improved more than usually