Oral communication competence of native and foreign language teachers

Listening and speaking as oral communication skills are enjoying a renaissance in school and university’s teaching contexts. Until now the oral language modus in teaching mother tongue has been dominated by speaking skills while listening abilities only played a minor role because of their implicitness in communication acts. That is the reason why the current focus on discussions in collaborative learning procedures requires new more balanced forms of communication in teaching and learning processes. The following article presents an introduction into theoretical framework of empirically supported aspects of teaching quality and a teacher’s language which are to improve in more competence oriented lessons meeting educational standards. An explanation of oral communication, particularly in teaching situations at schools, is given as well as some insights into history of researching into the issue. Finally, three examples of Leuphana University of Lüneburg’s implementation of the proposed ideas at school, university and publication levels are presented. Although they don’t claim to be exhaustive, the presented materials and ideas should encourage further discussions.