TheaterLanguageCamp

The TheaterLanguageCamp (TheaterSprachCamp (TSC)) helps children requiring language support after completing 3rd grade. The camp focuses on promoting reading comprehension, reading motivation and drama skills (e.g. according to Boal) to develop general language skills. Free time is spent performing theater, singing, writing, reading and playing games. The TheaterLanguageCamp takes place once a year during the summer vacations in 8 locations. Each camp is supervised by 2 drama teachers, 2 language educators and 2 leisure educators as well as one junior educator.

In this project, theater pedagogy plays an important role: during the camp, newly developed forms of physical expression can be used as a link between the children's thoughts and feelings and oral expression: If children play (literary) scenes multilingually, even children with little knowledge of German are able to express their thoughts and understand others. Playing theater also helps to interlink new language structures and to promote children’s pleasure of reading. Thus, it enhances language development (cf. TSC Concept 2021). Social, emotional, and aesthetic experience and learning processes become interconnected in the process.

Student teachers have the opportunity to become familiar with a special pedagogical concept and to gain substantial practical experience. The TSC can be credited as school internship, if applicable.

For more information see our leaflet (PDF (in German only)) and on the website of the TheaterLanguageCamp (in German only).

Scientific advisors:

Language: Prof. Dr. Petra Hüttis-Graff (since 2016)
Theater: Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Sting (since 2006)

The TSC has been a collaborative project between Universität Hamburg, the Ministry of School and Vocational Education, the Jugenderholungswerk Hamburg e. V., the Hamburg State Institute of Teacher Training and School Development and the academy CrearTaT already since 2006. Since 2017, the Hamburg Center for Teacher Education (ZLH) has joined the TSC as an additional collaboration partner.