Cooperation with Ukrainian Partner Universities
Fostering transcultural thinking, sustainable development, and global citizenship is a central goal of Foreign Language Education. Since 2022, our department has been cooperating with Ukrainian universities in support of these aims. This cooperation has resulted in several joint publications and academic presentations, as well as the hybrid-format symposium “Bridging the Epistemic Gap between Linguistics, Literature, and Pedagogy.”
In addition, the collaboration has included a number of blended courses involving students from Ukraine and Germany. These courses promote global citizenship and multilingualism by addressing current societal challenges and by encouraging exchange across linguistic, cultural, and national contexts.
Participating Universities
- National University “Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic” (NUZP) visit here
- Zaporizhzhia National University (ZNU) visit here
- Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University (DonNU) visit here
The first results of this diverse and multifaceted cooperation between JMU Germany, and ZPNU Ukraine, were represented at international academic events in various conference contexts in Sweden, Canada and Germany and published in Spring 2023.
On 7th of March, 2023 during the sixth workshop "Cross-university collaboration in digital humanities & social science (DHSS) and digital humanities & cultural heritage (DHCH) education" in Sweden, organized by Linnaeus University, University of Gothenburg, Uppsala University (Sweden), Aarhus University (Denmark), and University of Helsinki (Finland), Prof. Dr. Maria Eisenmann (JMU), Prof. Dr. Prykhodko (ZPNU), PD Dr. Nataliia Lazebna (JMU), and Dr. Kateryna Lut (ZPNU) gave a presentation on their paper on “Global, social and cultural competencies of future EFL teachers: Germany-Ukraine universities cooperation”. The main findings collected during the sessions in a hybrid format and delivered through digital tools (Voyant tools, Miro White Board, eMargin) focused on Digital humanities (DH) as a potential meta-framework for TEFL students’ learning.
On 27th of April, 2023 at the international multidisciplinary conference “Main challenges and issues of university education in war conditions: Ukraine – 2022”, Winnipeg (Canada), organized by the University of Manitoba, the presentation on “Germany-Ukraine Universities Cooperation in the Field of EFL and Linguistic Studies (ZPNU and JMU)” was given online by PD Dr. Nataliia Lazebna (JMU), Dr. Elena Dieser (JMU) and Dr. Kateryna Lut (ZPNU). A general overview of the events that have taken place in the framework of the cooperation between the universities, such as hybrid sessions in TEFL, German-Ukrainian language club, hybrid lectures and seminars, as well as further planned steps were presented and discussed.
On 4th and 5th of May 2023, the participants of cooperation gave their talk on “Multimodal hybrid interaction of EFL students from Germany and Ukraine in the meta-framework of digital humanities” at the Ukrainian-Bavarian Conference on Double Degree Programs in Regensburg, organized by the Bavarian Academic Center for Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe (BAYHOST) and the Leibniz-Institute for East and Southeast European Studies (IOS), PD Dr. Nataliia Lazebna, Prof. Dr. Gesine Drews-Sylla, Dr. Elena Dieser (JMU), and Dr. Kateryna Lut (ZPNU) represented their joint efforts to implement cooperation between the departments of TEFL and Slavic Studies (JMU) and Theory and Practice of Translation (ZPNU). Germanic and Slavic languages were presented in a harmonious symbiosis during the hybrid formats, live and online sessions with students from Germany and Ukraine. Communicative patterns, linguistic agendas, and methodological issues were the central anchor points that consolidated the interaction between students and teachers during the abovementioned events and were lively discussed by the conference participants. A wide range of perspectives for further development of the abovementioned cooperation between German and Ukrainian universities will contribute a lot in the future to a multifaceted academic cooperation, to the integration of teaching and learning environments, and to the individual and professional development of the parties involved.
Both universities benefit from ongoing collaboration that ensures sustainable development and fosters a sense of global connectedness and cross-cultural understanding. All participants look forward to future fruitful cooperation across all borders.
As part of a newly established German-Ukrainian cooperation, two pre-Christmas hybrid seminars between students from Julius Maximilian University and Zaporizhzhya National Polytechnic University focused on TEFL methodology.
On 21 December, future EFL teachers had the perfect opportunity to discuss multi-perspective representations of cultures through different texts and media forms.
The second workshop took place on 23 December 2022 and was based on inclusion, differentiation and individualisation in EFL teaching.
We would like to thank the students and colleagues who actively participated in these two meetings! It was a good starting point.
We are already looking forward to further cooperations in the future.
Winter 2022/23
As part of the newly established German-Ukrainian cooperation, two pre-Christmas hybrid seminars (2022) between students from JMU and ZNPU focused on TEFL methodology.
On 21 December, future EFL teachers had the opportunity to discuss multi-perspective representations of cultures through different texts and media forms.
The second workshop took place on 23 December 2022 and was based on inclusion, differentiation and individualisation in EFL teaching.
We would like to thank the students and colleagues who actively participated in these two meetings! It was a good starting point. We are already looking forward to further cooperations in the future.
Summer 2023
Selected seminars in TEFL methodology took place jointly for the students of JMU and ZPNU via hybrid teaching. They were led by their dedicated teachers, PD Dr. Nataliia Lazebna (JMU) and Dr. Kateryna Lut (ZPNU).
Together, the students explored the intricacies of different subjects in the diverse realm of TEFL methodology. The participants of the seminars had the perfect opportunity to share their ideas on skills, competences, and strategies during TEFL classes as well as moving further and considering interdisciplinary approaches, multicultural perspectives, and transnational teaching practices. In their presentations and interactive work on a digital whiteboard, discussions, and reflections, the participants shared their ideas and worked effectively.
The Multilingual Speaking Club
The TEFL Department together with Slavic Studies Department at JMU launched a project, which fosters the speaking skills of students who are fond of foreign language learning.
The Club welcomes learners of Germanic/Slavic Languages (German, English, Ukrainian) from JMU and ZPNU.
Utilizing the social media platform zoom the course offers informal communication opportunities in mixed conversation groups with various topics. During the online meetings, the students have a chance of getting to know each other, further develop their cultural horizon, improve communicative skills in learning a foreign language while talking to native speakers.
The class took place 6 times per term for 1h.
Winter 2023/24
On 28th November students from JMU and ZPNU met again in a hybrid-format session devoted to media and materials with a brief introduction to the upcoming seminar “Data-driven EFL – learn, teach, research”.
Continuing on 6th December the students had a chance to consider transnational perspectives and interdisciplinary EFL practices in a seminar called “Inter-/Transcultural Learning and Global Education/ Sustainable Development in EFL Class”.
Summer 2025
Taught by Dr. habil. Nataliia Lazebna the course "Transcultural Project-Based Learning: Multilingualism through the Arts" provided an innovative and impactful pedagogical approach.
Designed for future foreign language teachers, the course blended artistic expression with intercultural collaboration, fostering global competence and creative engagement in a hybrid learning environment. The students partner Universities from DonNU and ZNPU participated in the course and co-created multilingual digital projects together with the students from the JMU. This international collaboration facilitated shared responsibility and creative synergy.
Winter 2025/26
T. Kozlova (ZNU) visited Dr. habil. Lazebna's course as a guest speaker on the 24th November with a lecture on the topic of "Languages through Reading".
German-Ukrainian Symposium «Bridging the Epistemic Gap between Linguistics, Literature, and Pedagogy»
Reflections on the German-Ukrainian Symposium
Against the background of the war in Ukraine, the Chairs of Slavistics Studies and TEFL (JMU) initiated a series of academic activities to foster effective collaboration in the fields of linguistics, literature, and pedagogy with Ukrainian universities. Involved partners for this international academic event are Ukrainian universities in exile DonNU, Mariupol State University (MSU), and frontline higher educational institutions – ZPNU and ZNU. Researchers and students from JMU and Ukraine contributed significantly to the further perspective international cooperation during the symposium. The future initiatives frame ideas on interdisciplinarity, integration of Digital Humanities, and possible transcultural studies, using a wide range of technological tools and methods to achieve the common goal of global academic interaction.
Within the framework of the BAYHOST-initiated Mobility Grants 2023 and the support of DAAD, researchers and students from the humanities faculties and departments of JMU, ZPNU, ZNU, DonNu, MSU, CERPEK Masaryk University (Czech Republic), TH Aschaffenburg (Germany), and other interested parties had a perfect opportunity to exchange and expand their knowledge in various interdisciplinary studies, innovative projects, and transnational practices in the fields of linguistics, literature, and pedagogy.
Effective working days during the symposium not only brought together researchers from Germany and Ukraine, but also led to insightful keynote lectures and workshops.
Further information and the timetable can be found here.
German version
Vor dem Hintergrund des Krieges in der Ukraine haben die Lehrstühle für Slavistik und TEFL (JMU) eine Reihe von akademischen Aktivitäten initiiert, um eine effektive Zusammenarbeit in den Bereichen Linguistik, Literatur und Pädagogik mit ukrainischen Universitäten zu fördern. Die an dieser internationalen akademischen Veranstaltung beteiligten Partner sind Vertreter der Exiluniversitäten Vasyl' Stus, der Nationalen Universität Donezk (DonNU) und der Staatlichen Universität Mariupol (MSU) sowie der Hochschuleinrichtungen an der Front – der Nationalen Polytechnischen Universität Saporischschja (ZPNU) und der Nationalen Universität Saporischschja (ZNU). Forschende und Studierende der JMU und der Ukraine trugen während des Symposiums wesentlich zur weiteren Perspektive der internationalen Zusammenarbeit bei. Die zukünftigen Initiativen fokussieren Ideen zur Interdisziplinarität, zur Integration von Digital Humanities und zu möglichen transkulturellen Studien, wobei eine breite Palette von technologischen Werkzeugen und Methoden eingesetzt wird, um das gemeinsame Ziel einer globalen akademischen Interaktion zu erreichen.
Im Rahmen der von BAYHOST initiierten Mobility Grants 2023 und der Unterstützung des DAAD hatten Forschende und Studierende der geisteswissenschaftlichen Fakultäten und Fachbereiche der JMU, ZPNU, ZNU, DonNu, MSU, CERPEK Masaryk University (Tschechische Republik), TH Aschaffenburg (Deutschland) und andere Interessierte eine perfekte Gelegenheit, ihr Wissen in verschiedenen interdisziplinären Studien, innovativen Projekten und transnationalen Praktiken in den Bereichen Linguistik, Literatur und Pädagogik auszutauschen und zu erweitern.
Effektive Arbeitstage während des Symposiums brachten nicht nur Forschende und Studierende aus Deutschland und der Ukraine zusammen, sondern führten auch zu aufschlussreichen Impulsvorträgen und Workshops.
2023
Eisenmann, M., Prykhodko, A., Lazebna, N., Lut, K. Global, social and cultural competencies of futureEFL teachers: Germany-Ukraine universities cooperation. Cross- University Collaboration in Digital Humanities & Social Science (DHSS) and Digital Humanities & Cultural Heritage (DHCH) Education. University of Gothenburg, Sweden. 07.03.2023.
Lazebna, N., Dieser, E., Lut, K. Germany-Ukraine Universities Cooperation in the Field of EFL andLinguistic Studies (Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University and Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg).The international multidisciplinary conference Main challenges and issues of university education in warconditions: Ukraine – 2022, Winnipeg (Canada). 27.04.2023.
Drews-Sylla, G., Dieser, E., Lazebna, N., Lut, K., Multimodal hybrid interaction of EFL students fromGermany and Ukraine in the meta-framework of digital humanities. The Ukrainian-Bavarian Conference onDouble Degree Programs. Regensburg. 04-05.05.2023.
2024
Eisenmann, M., Lazebna. N., Lut, K. Beyond Borders and Realities – a Holistic Approach to Hybrid TEFL Seminars (JMU (Germany) / NUZP (Ukraine). CHARM-EU Annual Conference, Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest, Hungary. 05.11.2024.
2025
Eisenmann, M., Dieser, E., Kozlova, T., Lazebna, N. Lut, K. Transformative Leadership: Innovative Strategies for Sustainable Education in Resource-Limited Contexts (Ukraine-Germany Case Study). The Third International multidisciplinary conference Resilience in Education Amid War and Global Challenges: Ukrainian Perspective, Winnipeg (Canada). 22.04.2025.
Lazebna, N., Dieser, E., Lut, K. AI implementation in foreign language classes for refugees and displaced students. The interdisciplinary scientific network “Vision Ukraine: Bildung, Sprache, Migration”. 09.05.2025.
Lazebna, N. Artificial Intelligence in Transcultural Language Education: Enhancing the Linguistic Competence and Creativity of Future Foreign Language Teachers. Guest lecture at Zaporizhzhia National University, Ukraine. 18.09.2025.
Eisenmann, M., Lazebna, N. Inner Development for Future-Ready European Educators: Enabling Employability, Transdisciplinary Collaboration, and Intercultural Impact. CHARM-EU Annual Conference, Utrecht University, Netherlands. 12.11.2025.
Lazebna, N. (together with JMU students). Crafting Languages- Shaping Selves at BAYHOST Workshop on Multilingualism, Regensburg. 29.10.2025.
2023
Prykhodko, A., Lazebna, N. (2023). Grammar of German-language word combinations: reflections onstructural- semantic modelling. Collection of scientific papers “New Philology”, 90, 82-88. ISSN 2414-1135 (In co-authorship with Prykhodko A.)
2025
Lazebna, N., Lut, K. (2025). Hybrid Harbors: Immersive Learning Spaces for Unsafe Regions. eLmL 2025 : The Seventeenth International Conference on Mobile, Hybrid, and On-line Learning. Published in ThinkMind Digital Library. ISBN: 978-1-68558-271-5. P. 1-6.
Lazebna, N., Dieser, E., Lut, K. (2025). Inclusion as Solution: Integration Challenges of Ukrainian Refugee Students in the Educational System of Germany. Chapter 12. In the book Education Leadership in the Shadow of Wars ed. by M. Gutman. Routledge, Taylor and Francis, USA. Indexed in Scopus.
Prykhodko, A., Lazebna, N. (2025). Predicative Arrangement of National Anthem Texts in English- and German-Speaking Communities. Alfred Nobel University Journal of Philology, 1 (29), pp. 181-196. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32342/3041-217X-2025-1-29-11 Indexed in Scopus.
Preprints
Eisenmann, M., Lazebna, N., Lut, K. (2025). (preprint). People First, Platform Second: Designing Hybrid Learning for Emotional and Educational Resilience in Unsafe Regions". International Journal On Advances in Intelligent Systems, v 18 n 3&4
Eisenmann, M., Lazebna, N. (2026). (preprint). Think Globally, Act Locally: IDGs of Pre-Service Teachers as Anchors of Social Activism and Global Citizenship. IDG Casebook Project: Integrating Inner Development Goals in Higher Education. GILE Journal of Skills Development.
Eisenmann, M., Lazebna, N., Lut, K. (2026). (preprint). Integrating the Digital Humanities Toolbox in TEFL: Enhancing Pedagogy and Collaboration During Crisis. Special Issue Migration, Education, and the Digital Turn in der Zeitschrift für Flucht- und Flüchtlingsforschung.
- Lazebna, N., Lut, K. Best Paper Award by IARIA “Hybrid Harbors Immersive Learning Spaces for Unsafe Regions” at Digital World Congress 2025, The Seventeenth International Conference on Mobile, Hybrid, and On-line Learning (Nice, France); eLmL 2025 Awards
- BAYHOST 4,000 Funding of German-Ukrainian hybrid Symposium «Bridging the Epistemic Gap between Linguistics, Literature, and Pedagogy» (23-24th of October 2023, JMU)
