What is the AKS?
The Association of language centres, language teaching institutes and institutes of foreign languages (AKS) is the only association in Germany which comprehensively represents the field of foreign language teaching in Higher Education.
The AKS provides a forum for collaboration and the exchange of information and experience in language teaching for all the institutions and staff working in the fields of
- practical language teaching in Higher Education
- language teacher training and further education
- research in language teaching and language learning.
Membership of the AKS consists of over 100 language centres and similar institutions of Higher Education in Germany, France, Austria and Switzerland. In addition, numerous specialists from other university faculties and departments - such as departments and faculties of Arts, Language and Literature - work with the AKS as well. A number of associations and work groups have also joined the AKS.
The AKS organises conferences and workshops.
It publishes research and conference reports and results in the field of language learning and teaching and applied linguistics. Accreditation for the interuniversity foreign language certificate UNIcert® takes place under the aegis of the AKS. The AKS also conducts surveys on matters related to foreign language teaching at university level.