University Certificate in Language Specialisation: Qualification as a Language and Communication Specialist
Language and communicative interaction play a central role in a child’s developmental process, as they support the child’s personality development. At the same time, language is both the foundation and the key to social participation and individual educational success. Supporting individual language development processes is therefore a fundamental aspect of professional practice in early years settings.
The continuing professional development course ‘Focusing on Language: Qualification as a Specialist in Language and Communication’ (university certificate) raises awareness amongst early years professionals regarding the field of language and equips them to provide individualised, systematic and reflective support and encouragement for children’s language development and language acquisition.
- Application deadline
- 30 September 2026
- Duration of study
- ten months
- Scope
- 6 CP
- Conclusion
- University Certificate
- Start of studies
- 14 October 2026 (subject to funding from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport)
- Language of instruction
- German
Target audience
The continuing professional development programme is aimed at state-recognised early years practitioners, early childhood educators and social education workers who are currently working in a childcare centre in Baden-Württemberg (for children up to school age).
Career prospects
Successful completion of the certificate course qualifies graduates to work as a “Language and Communication Specialist”. Graduates are recognised as specialists responsible for implementing the State of Baden-Württemberg’s overarching framework, “Reliably Developing Skills” (Kolibri).
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for the degree programme are
- state recognition as a nursery teacher or an academic qualification as a childhood or early childhood educator (BA/MA) or as a social education worker, as well as
- employment at a childcare centre in Baden-Württemberg (for children up to school age).
The number of participants is limited to a maximum of 25 per course. One or two qualified childcare professionals from each centre may take part in the certificate course.
Application
Please email your application and the required documents to the Centre for Academic Continuing Education at sprachqualifizierung@ph-karlsruhe.de
Legal basis
Organisational consultancy
Organisation
Karlsruhe University of Education
Building
2
Room
A023
Phone
Learning outcomes and skills
Participants on this continuing professional development course …
- are familiar with domain-specific language acquisition processes for German as a first and second language,
- are familiar with, apply in a targeted manner and reflect upon simple and complex language support strategies (‘Mit Kindern im Gespräch’),
- are familiar with, select on the basis of criteria, and carry out diagnostic procedures to assess language proficiency in German as a first and second language,
- plan and implement individualised language support programmes based on diagnostic findings,
- are familiar with and test strategies and opportunities for cooperation and networking both internally and externally (within the team, with families, within the local community),
- develop a sustainable approach, tailored to the centre’s profile, for systematically embedding language and communication in the day-to-day life of the nursery.
Course structure and dates
The training programme is delivered as a blended-learning course and comprises 180 working hours. The programme is divided into four modules. Each face-to-face phase is followed by a practical phase of at least two weeks as self-study time, during which participants independently integrate the module content into the day-to-day running of the nursery through observation assignments and practical tasks.
The ultimate aim of the training programme is to develop a sustainable concept for establishing their own nursery’s profile in the areas of language and communication. Upon successful completion, a university certificate worth 6 CP is awarded.
Module courses
A) Fundamentals of language acquisition
B) Language Assessment
C) Diagnosis-based language training
D) Effectiveness, Networking, Development
Dates
(subject to funding from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport)
Kick-off event: 14 October 2026, 5:00–6:30 pm (online)
The block sessions will take place online on Fridays and in person at the Karlsruhe University of Education on Saturdays on the following dates:
| Block | Dates |
|---|---|
| Block 1 | 23 October 2026, 3:00 pm–7:00 pm (online) 24 October 2026, 9:00 am–4:00 pm (in person) |
| Block 2 | 4 December 2026, 3:00 pm–7:00 pm (online) 5 December 2026, 9:00 am–4:00 pm (face-to-face) |
| Block 3 | 29 January 2027, 08:00–12:00 (online) 30 January 2027, 09:00–16:00 (face-to-face) |
| Block 4 | 12 March 2027, 08:00–12:00 (online) 13 March 2027, 09:00–16:00 (face-to-face) |
| Block 5 | 23 April 2027, 3.00 pm–7.00 pm (online) 24 April 2027, 9.00 am–4.00 pm (face-to-face) |
| Block 6 | 18 June 2027, 08:00–12:00 (online) 19 June 2027, 09:00–16:00 (face-to-face) |
| Block 7 | 30 July 2027, 08:00–12:00 (online) 31 July 2027, 09:00–16:00 (face-to-face) |
| Block 8 | 10 September 2027, 08:00–12:00 (online) 11 September 2027, 09:00–16:00 (face-to-face) |
Programme management and academic advice
Organisation
Karlsruhe University of Education
Building
3
Room
204
Phone
Availability
By arrangement; see also the booking system in StudIP
Organisation
Karlsruhe University of Education
Building
2
Room
B315
Phone
Availability
Office hours:
Monday, 02:30 pm – 04:00 pm (after registering on StudIP)
Lecturer
Organisation
Karlsruhe University of Education
Building
3
Room
205
Availability
By arrangement
Fees
The training programme is funded by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and can therefore be offered free of charge to participants.
Any questions?
Our Centre for Academic Continuing Education is here to advise you on all matters relating to admission, the organisation of your studies, funding and the recognition of prior learning.
Centre of Continuing Education
Organisation
Karlsruhe University of Education
Building
2
Room
A023
Phone
Updated on 21 October 2026 by Central Web Editorial Office