Profile

Prof. Dr. Karen Glaser

Prof. Dr. Karen Glaser

Professor

Primary School Didactics of English
Haus 3
Marschnerstraße 31, Room 118
04109 Leipzig

Phone: +49 341 97 - 31855

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Abstract

I am Professor of TEFL in Primary School at Leipzig University. I hold a PhD in English Applied Linguistics from Leuphana University Lüneburg/Germany and an MA in TESL from Kent State University, Ohio/USA. My research interests include L2 pragmatics, early L2 literacy, classroom interaction, and teacher education. I have authored 'Inductive or Deductive? The Impact of Method of Instruction on the Acquisition of Pragmatic Competence in EFL' and contributed to volumes on early language learning (e.g. 'Current research into young foreign language learners’ literacy skills'), teacher education (e.g. 'Classroom discourse competence: Perspectives for language teacher education') and pragmatics (e.g. 'L2 Pragmatics in Action'). I am co-editor of the Special Issues 'Embracing social interaction in the L2 classroom' (Classroom Discourse) and 'L2 pragmatics in language teacher education' (System) and of the open-access volume 'Early Language Education in Instructed Contexts' (John Benjamins).

Professional career

  • since 04/2022
    Leipzig University, Department of Primary and Pre-Primary Education: Professor of TEFL in Primary School (Grundschuldidaktik Englisch)
  • 10/2015 - 03/2022
    Leipzig University, Department of Primary and Pre-Primary Education: Junior Professor of TEFL in Primary School (Grundschuldidaktik Englisch)
  • 10/2014 - 09/2015
    University of Potsdam, English Department: Visiting Professor (Vertretungsprofessorin) of Present-Day English Language and Linguistics
  • 10/2011 - 06/2014
    Leuphana University Lüneburg, Institute of English Studies: PhD Degree in English Applied Linguistics (Topic: Inductive or Deductive? The Impact of Method of Instruction on the Acquisition of Pragmatic Competence)
  • 10/2007 - 09/2014
    Chemnitz University of Technology (TU Chemnitz), English Department: English Language Program Coordinator, English Language Instructor in the BA, MA, and Magister programs
  • 04/2006 - 09/2007
    Dresden University of Technology (TU Dresden), English Department: English Language Instructor in the Magister, Teacher Training, MA and BA programs
  • 01/2006 - 04/2006
    Kent State University, Ohio/USA, TEFL Certificate Program: Instructor in Linguistics, Pedagogical Grammar, and CALL; Teaching Practicum Mentor
  • 08/2004 - 12/2005
    Kent State University, Ohio/USA: Master's Degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL); English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor at KSU's ESL Center

Education

  • 10/1998 - 07/2004
    TU DresdenMaster’s Degree (Magister) in English Linguistics, Applied Linguistics (specialization: Teaching ESP), and Communication Science

I am active in the following research areas:

  • Classroom Interaction and Classroom Discourse Competence
  • L2 Pragmatic Development
  • Literacy Development the Primary EFL Classroom
  • Language Teacher Professionalization
  • Digital Tools in Language Learning and Teaching

  • Frisch, S.; Glaser, K. (Eds.)
    Early Language Education in Instructed Contexts: Current issues and empirical insights into teaching and learning languages in primary school
    Amsterdam: John Benjamins. 2025.
    ISBN: 9789027244741
    show details
  • Glaser, K.; Martínez-Flor, A.
    Tracing a pre-service primary English teacher's development in teaching L2 pragmatics: Knowledge, beliefs, and perceived challenges
    System. 2025. p. 103655.
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2025.103655
    show details
  • Schrader, A.; Glaser, K.
    Fostering literacy skills in the primary English classroom: A Design-Based Research (DBR) project
    In: Wilden, E. (Ed.)
    Standortbestimmungen in der Fremdsprachenforschung. Bielefeld: wbv. 2023. pp. 244–259.
    ISBN: 9783763973040
    show details
  • Glaser, K.
    Teachers’ awareness, knowledge and attitudes towards instruction in L2 pragmatics
    In: Martínez-Flor, A.; Sánchez-Hernández, A.; Barón, J. (Eds.)
    L2 Pragmatics in Action: Teachers, learners and the teaching-learning interaction process. Amsterdam: John Benajmins. 2023. pp. 63–87.
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1075/lllt.58.03gla
    show details
  • Glaser, K.
    Scaffolding creative writing in the Primary EFL Classroom: Exploring the role of picture dictionaries and composition guidelines in the creation of Elfchen poems.
    In: Frisch, S.; Rymarczyk, J. (Eds.)
    Current Research into Young Foreign Language Learners‘ Literacy Skills. Frankfurt/M.: Peter Lang. 2021. pp. 257–287.
    DOI: 10.3726/b19101
    show details

more publications

I have experience in teaching ESL/ EFL to young learners, teenagers and adults in various contexts as well as experience in teaching linguistics and language pedagogy courses at the university level, both in Germany and the US. I have been functioning as supervisor for BA, MA, State Examination as well as PhD theses, and I'm active in in-service teachers' professional development.

  • The following is a selection of my most recent courses:

    Eine Auswahl meiner aktuellsten Seminare und Vorlesungen:

  • Planning for the Primary EFL Classroom

    Seminar for primary EFL teacher trainees

  • Planning for the EFL Classroom

    Seminar for secondary EFL teacher trainees

  • TEFL: From Theory to Practice

    Seminar for secondary EFL teacher trainees

  • Methods and Techniques for the Communicative Language Classroom

    Seminar for EFL teacher trainees

  • Understanding the Primary EFL Classroom

    Seminar for primary EFL teacher trainees

  • EFL Teaching Practicum

    School teaching practicum for pre-service EFL teacher trainees

  • Introduction to Foreign Language Teaching

    Lecture for primary EFL teacher trainees