The 'International Symposium on DaF Didactics' as a Contribution to the Professional Development of GFL Teachers

Design, Development, and Reflection of a Practice-Oriented Online Training Series in East Asia

Abstract

The ‘Internationales Symposium zur DaF-Didaktik’ (“International Symposium on German as a Foreign Language Didactics”) has been a practice-oriented training series for DaF instructors since 2016. Originally held as an in-person event in South Korea, it has evolved into an online format with participants from various countries, particularly from East, South, and Southeast Asia. The symposium aims to enhance methodological competence, foster networking, and promote intercultural exchange. The transition to the online format in 2020 significantly expanded its reach but also introduced new challenges. This paper discusses the structure, development, and impact of the symposium, highlighting its role in GFL teacher training, particularly in South Korea.