Chair of German Philology

Skilled Germanologist, Ph.D., Associate Professor A. Tonoyan founded the Chair of German Philology in 1991. It was formed based on the Chair of Romano-Germanic philology and became one of the leading and best Chairs of YSU, inheriting a rich scientific and pedagogical experience from distinguished scientists and educators such as Ph.D., Academician G. Jahukyan, Ph.D., Associate Professor M. Harutyunyan, Ph.D., Associate Professor K. Aghayekyan, and the great connoisseur of German language M. Schenkmans. From the beginning, the Chair included teaching staff not only from the German department but also from the faculties of humanities and natural sciences. It provided the teaching of German as a primary and second foreign language, as well as the teaching of a relevant professional foreign language in other faculties.

Thanks to the head of the Chair A.Tonoyan, in a very short period, connections were established and expanded with German studies departments of leading universities in German-speaking countries and international academic exchange services, skilled specialists were invited to teach in the German department, conferences and seminars were organized. Within the framework of exchange programs, the staff of the Chair of German Philology were regularly trained in Germany and Austria.

From 1999 to 2021, Ph.D., Professor Yu. Gabrielyan headed The Chair of German Philology. During those years, a wide range of scientific and educational activities were carried out. The Chair has expanded and deepened the connection with international organizations. During the years under his leadership, large-scale scientific research work was carried out. Various textbooks, dictionaries, and educational materials were published and prepared for publication by the faculty of the Chair. Some professors participated in joint scientific research programs with the universities of Mannheim, Rostock, Hamburg, and Heidelberg.

Since 2021, Ph.D., Associate Professor G. Savoyan, has been heading the Chair.

If previously the Chair used to train only German language specialists with the specialty "German language and literature", now the Chair of German Philology, in cooperation with the Chair of English Philology, has introduced a new Undergraduate program with the specialty "English, German language and communication", which offers wide job opportunities to graduates of that Chair.

The Chair of German Philology is taught by skilled specialists with many years of pedagogical experience, highly qualified young professors in Germany and Austria, as well as German language experts invited from Germany and Austria. The Chair specialists undergo regular training and are authors of educational manuals, textbooks, monographs, and scientific articles. The main scientific directions of the Chair are cross-cultural communication, German studies, and typology.

Modern language teaching methods are used during studies, and international experience is applied to local requirements and specificities. Classes are interactive. Theoretical subjects are taught taking into account the achievements of modern linguistic science. Students actively participate in various international exchange programs, such as "Erasmus+", and DAAD, which makes learning German even more effective.

The Chair also emphasizes the teaching of German as a second foreign language. Here, the emphasis is placed on communicative and interactive methods, as a result of which students can communicate in German in a short period. In response to contemporary challenges, the German department, both at the Undergraduate and Graduate levels, emphasizes the acquisition of translation skills. Key courses include oral and written translation, and translation of literary and intercultural texts.

Modern teaching methods are also introduced in natural science and humanities faculties, and appropriate professional materials and literature are used. Here, language teaching is aimed at providing students with the appropriate specialization and the skills to freely use professional literature in German.

The Chair creates new connections with the universities of Koblenz, Ludwigshafen, Cologne, Jena, and Halle in Germany, as well as prepares new projects with the Armenian studies center of the Halle Institute of Oriental Studies.

Since its establishment, the Chair has created a rich library filled with professional books, which is regularly updated with new artistic and scientific literature and new textbooks.

The Chair of German Philology also has material and technical equipment, "German Corner", equipped with the latest interactive blackboard and apparatus.

The Chair of German Philology implements the "English, German Language and Communication" Undergraduate and "German Language and Cross-Cultural Communication" Master's degree educational programs.