Team
With the BIKO-LAMB 2.0 project, Leibniz University Hannover is pursuing the long-term establishment and implementation of interdisciplinary cross-cutting topics in teacher training. The focus is on German as a foreign or second language (DaF/DaZ), intercultural learning and dealing with heterogeneous learning groups.
The programme is strategically located at the Leibniz School of Education (LSE), which, as an equal organisational unit, ensures the sustainable anchoring and further development of professionalisation programmes.
Target group for the “Certificate in International and Intercultural Competences for Teacher Training: Multilingualism and Education” (BIKO-LAMB) are all teacher training students at LUH (Teacher Training Course for Grammar Schools, Special Needs Education for Schools and Technical Education (MEd)).
The programme has a modular structure, which offers students the opportunity to acquire theoretical knowledge and practical experience for their future professional practice within the framework of four modules. Within the various teacher training degree programmes, compulsory and optional course elements (project seminars, compulsory elective modules, teaching placements) can be coherently integrated, whilst allowing for a targeted focus on specific content within the existing curriculum.
Successful completion of the programme is certified with 17 ECTS credits.
BIKO-LAMB 2.0
Project duration: 1 October 2025–30 September 2028
Funded by: Ministry of Science and Culture of Lower Saxony (MWK)
The aim of the second phase of the project is to continue and further develop the tried-and-tested BIKO-LAMB concept. The positive evaluations underscore the programme’s effectiveness in professionalising trainee teachers in the field of language learning support. In order to respond flexibly to societal challenges, the content of the concept will be adapted. In particular, greater emphasis will be placed on working with refugees and addressing trauma associated with displacement. In addition, a structured assessment procedure is being developed to ensure the quality of the programme and to meet the legal requirements for teacher education.
A further objective for the period 2025–2028 is the dissemination of the project’s themes. Through public lectures (at universities), selected content is to be made accessible to both students and university staff. One such lecture took place in April 2026 as part of the Leibniz Education Talk “Flucht. Trauma. Schule”.
Furthermore, the possibility is being explored of embedding key elements of the BIKO-LAMB programme as compulsory components within the curriculum, in order to provide all teacher training students with targeted training in the areas of language learning support, multilingualism and interculturality.
BIKO-LAMB 1.0: Review of the first project phase
Project duration: 15 September 2022–31 August 2025
Funded by: Ministry of Science and Culture of Lower Saxony (MWK)
BIKO-LAMB was launched at Leibniz University Hannover in the summer of 2022 as an interdisciplinary project led by Prof. Dr Anja Binanzer and Prof. Dr Katharina Müller. The project aims to systematically train teacher training students to provide language learning support and responds in particular to the growing need to teach German to refugee pupils. The programme has been running since the 2022/2023 winter semester.
The focus of study for the first phase of the project was on assessing the curricular recognition of the programme for the various teacher training degree programmes, as well as on the (further) development of the theoretical modules. In addition, partnerships with a total of 16 partner schools were established and expanded to facilitate the students’ practical placements. Since the project began, over 100 students have registered for BIKO-LAMB.
BIKO-LAMB as equivalent to the additional qualification DaZ (ZQ-DaZ)
Since April 2025, the professionalisation programme can be recognised by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees as equivalent to ZQ DaZ under certain conditions. Successful completion of BIKO-LAMB thus qualifies graduates to teach in BAMF-funded integration courses.
Further information can be found here.
