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10th International Language Week

Frau mit roten schulterlangen Haaren und Brille spricht vor cyanblauer Präsentation zum Publikum

Largest academic conference to date at Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences

With over 80 participants from four continents, the interdisciplinary International Language Week (ILW) including Intercultural Communication took place from December 1 to 5, 2025, in the 30th anniversary year of AUAS.

This year's event, which has been held for 10 years, was organised by the Language Centre and the Institute for Intercultural Communication (IIC). It was the largest scientific conference to date at the campus in Aschaffenburg.

  • Campusführung mit Ernst Schulten, Leiter des International Office und Career Service/ Campus tour with Ernst Schulten, Head of the International Office and Career Service

International rotation format re-visits AUAS

The ILW was initiated in 2015 by Prof. Dr. Renate Link, Vice Head of the Language Centre and Director of the IIC, as a platform for lecturers in the fields of languages and intercultural communication. Since then, it has been hosted by international partner universities on an annual rotation basis. Previous locations have included Taipei/Taiwan, Billings/Montana (USA), Seinäjoki/Finland, Athens/Greece, Porto/Portugal, and Turku/Finland. In 2025, the ILW returned to TH Aschaffenburg for the fourth time. Renate Link is delighted with the long-standing international response to the ILW:

“Thanks to this rotation principle, the ILW network enriches itself every year and always benefits from new impulses due to the changing geographical location of the host university and its national language and culture.”

Prof. Dr. Renate Link (Vice Head of the Language Centre, Director of the Institute for Intercultural Communication)
 

Focus topic: Global citizenship

In today's interconnected world, it is essential for specialists and managers to develop a global mindset and take on global responsibility. Under the motto ‘The Role of Global Citizenship for Foreign Language and Intercultural Education’, ILW 2025 therefore addressed the importance of global responsibility for foreign language education and intercultural learning. The focus was on approaches to promoting sustainable competence development and lifelong learning.

  • Prof. Dr. Eva-Maria Beck-Meuth, Präsidentin der TH Aschaffenburg

Extensive programme with 60 contributions in four languages

The programme comprised over 60 sessions and workshops in face-to-face, online and hybrid formats. In the conference languages German, English, French and Spanish, established and emerging scholars presented contributions on topics such as:

  • Global citizenship and language learning
  • Sustainability and language education
  • Intercultural competence
  • Digital technologies and global networking
  • Curriculum and teacher education research
  • Ethical and social aspects of language teaching

Four international keynote speeches

The scientific framework was provided by four keynote speeches from renowned experts from South Africa, the USA and Sweden, including Prof. Dr. Claude-Hélène Mayer (University of Johannesburg), Prof. Dr. Julie Ciancio (Westcliff University) and Prof. em. Dr. Jens Allwood (University of Gothenburg).

  • Keynote Prof. em. Dr. Jens Allwood (Universität Göteborg)

  • Prof. Dr. Renate Link und Prof. em. Dr. Jens Allwood (Universität Göteborg)

  • Keynote Prof. Dr. Julie Ciancio (Westcliff University)

  • Keynote Prof. Dr. Claude-Hélène Mayer (Universität Johannesburg)

Involvement of young academics

Master's students from the International Management Programme presented project work from the ‘International Competencies’ module, including a ‘Living Calendar of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’. In addition, five doctoral students from the IIC, in cooperation with various universities, and ten other international doctoral students presented their research work. The ILW thus once again underlined its importance for promoting young academics and for the concept of internationalisation@home, as all events were also open to students at the university.

Multifaceted social programme

The ILW was opened with a reception in the Hock Hall by the Vice-President for Studies, Teaching and International Affairs, Prof. Dr. Ivo Schäfer. An international finger food buffet rounded off the evening with culinary delights. The accompanying programme also included an excursion to the Spessart mountains, including a pre-Christmas conference dinner and night hike, a visit to the Aschaffenburg Christmas market and a guided tour of the Spessart Museum, which is housed in the so-called Snow-White Castle in Lohr am Main.

Universally positive feedback from participants

Participants at the ILW particularly praised the ‘great atmosphere’, the ‘extremely international group of participants’, the ‘excellent organisation’ and the ‘superb accompanying programme’.

“Many thanks for another fantastic week! I really enjoyed the great program and the warm atmosphere and I appreciate the kindness and hospitality I experienced once again. Looking forward to joining next year!”

Prof. Dr. Maria Begoña Prieto Peral

“I would like to add on what a wonderful experience I had joining the conference for the first time! Great presentations, discussions, evening conversations and well planned activities! Thanks for your time and effort. We'll done! ”

Jill Deschner Warner

“Just as the last year, ILW2025 was truly a positive experience in every aspect. Thank you, organizers, for your amazing job. Looking forward to taking part in it again in the near future!”

 Mariya Aida Niendorf

Upcoming ILWs and conferences in 2026 and 2027

The venues for the ILWs in the next two years have already been decided. From 27 to 31 July 2026, the ILW will be hosted by Sungshin University in Seoul, South Korea, and in 2027 by the Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas in Lima, Peru.

Further information on International Language Week incl. Intercultural Communication

In addition, in the summer of 2027, the IIC will host the biennial IAIR (International Academy for Intercultural Research) Conference, which will bring even more internationally renowned scientists to AUAS than this year's ILW.

Further information:

 

Top image: Prof. Dr. Renate Link welcomes participants to the opening ceremony of International Language Week 2025.