Dr Birgit Hanke (she/her)

Have been teaching German at all levels at Exeter University since January 1996; PhD in "Applied Linguistics", Exeter University 2005; M.A. in "Applied Linguistics", Exeter University 1997; Staatsexamen in "Teaching Modern Languages at A-level", Rostock University (Germany) 1996.

I have been teaching credit-rated German modules at Exeter University, both at the Language Centre and Modern Languages, since January 1996. I am the module convenor for German for Beginners, Intermediate 2, Advanced 1 and Advanced 2. 

I also teach and convene a voluntary Text-Linguistics Module for students who wish to familiarise themselves with the fundamentals of Discourse Analysis. 

In addition to my teaching qualification, I hold an M.A. and a PhD in Applied Linguistics. My research interest lies in Discourse Analysis of post-modern literary text. I have developed a framework for the analysis of Topic & Topic Development in post-modern German, Russian and English fiction, and I would welcome the opportunity to contribute further research towards bridging the gap between Applied Linguistics and Literary Studies. I have attended a number of national conferences and delivered papers in Durham and Belfast.

Between the years of 2003 and 2017, I also worked as Director of Studies at (British Council accredited) Mercator English Language School in Cornwall, conducting Summer Schools for groups of International Juniors, their group leaders and EFL teachers in Plymouth, organising and conducting workshops for young or new teachers prior to the start of the season, and assisting the Head of Mercator with staffing, timetabling, designing English course layouts & organising materials, and reviewing new grammar- and course books. Those years have contributed greatly to my development as an academic teacher and a potential team leader.