Dr Sabina Barczyk-Wozniak

(she/her)

Publication

• Date
• Type

Research

My research primarily focuses on psycholinguistics and the cognitive processes underlying language acquisition, with a particular emphasis on the development of grammatical competence in learners of a second or foreign language. I aim to describe and explain the fundamental principles of foreign language acquisition to deepen our understanding of how languages are learned. These insights support the development of more effective pedagogical practices and help improve language teaching and learning.

Additionally, I explore how learners’ existing language skills can facilitate the acquisition of new languages, with a particular focus on developing effective language learning strategies (learning to learn languages), as well as on the roles of positive transfer and interference.

Some outcomes of my research I have presented at conferences and in publications, including:

1. Language Acquisition: Focusing on the development of grammatical competence in learners of German as a second or foreign language.
2. Psycholinguistics:
• Exploring the cognitive processes involved in language learning and usage.
• Investigating how existing language skills impact the acquisition of new languages, including both positive transfer and interference.
3. Language Pedagogy:
• Discussing innovative teaching methods and the integration of technology in language education.
• Researched students’ profiles and language learning biographies to understand factors influencing motivation.
• Identified effective teaching techniques and personalised strategies to foster and sustain development in language learning.

Teaching

I teach in the following Modules on the Undergraduate Programme in German

Second Year

·       Ex Beginners Language German

·       Ex- Advanced Language German

·       English-German Language Tandem

·       The World & Language of Business (German)  (module convenor)

Final Year

·       High-Level Proficiency in German Language FY (module convenor)

Languages for All

I have taught German courses at all CEFR levels of language proficiency and have contributed to module development and review, the design of learning resources, and assessments, particularly at the B1–B2 levels.

Biography

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY 

2016 onwards   Cardiff University, School of Modern Languages

Lecturer in German Studies, German Teacher in MLANG, German Teacher in Adult Education

2000 - 2015        Maria Curie-Sklodowska University of Lublin (UMCS), Institute for Germanic Studies and Applied Linguistics 

Assistant Professor (Adjunkt) in the Department of Glottodidactics

2003 - 2004        R. Kudlinsky Olympus University in Warsaw

Lecturer in Glottodidactics in PGCE

1999 - 2004        University of Management and Administration in Zamosc

Lecturer in PGCE for MFL teachers, German Tutor in Foreign Language Centre

RELEVANT EDUCATION

2001 - 2006        Doctoral studies, PhD in Humanities in the field of German and Applied Linguistics - Maria Curie-Sklodowska University of Lublin (UMCS)

1993 - 1999        Magister studies in German Philology, Master’s Degree in Germanic Philology, First Class Honor (bardzo dobry) - Maria Curie-Sklodowska University of Lublin (UMCS)

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

Certified Goethe-Institut Examiner (A1-B2) – Goethe-Institut London

Qualified Teacher Status, TP Ref. No. 0934808 - General Teacher Council of Wales

Accredited i-act Practitioner for positive mental health and Wellbeing

Licensed First Aider in Mental Health Wales

Honours and awards

Award of the Rector of Maria Curie-Sklodowska University of Lublin for outstanding achievements at work (2010)

Award of the Rector and Chancellor of University of Management and Administration of Zamosc for innovative methods of teaching of German language (2002)

Professional memberships

Member of a linguistic association Gesllschaft für Sprache und Sprachen GeSuS e.V.

Speaking engagements

30th Linguistics Study Days of the Society for Language and Languages (GeSuS) "Europe and the Diversity of its Languages" Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań (UAM); Paper delivered: "Förderung der Mehrsprachigkeit durch Languages for All Programm an der Universität Cardiff: Eine Fallstudie zu Deutschmodulen / Promoting multilingualism through the Languages ​​for All Programme at Cardiff University: a case study of German modules", June 2024

German Studies Conference at the University of Nottingham; Paper delivered: “German Courses in Institution-Wide Language Provision at Cardiff University – Programme Design and Student Profiles”, September 2022

Innoconf21 University of Reading; Paper delivered: “Strategies for effective online teaching – experiences form teaching during Covid-19 pandemic”, September 2021

AULC Conference, King’s College London; Paper presented: “Developmental Profiles of Adult German Learners in Classroom Context – Implications for language teachers and learners”, January 2019

International Conference on Linguistics of Society Gesellschaft für Sprache und Sprachen e.V., Department of Translation studies at University of Helsinki, Kouvola; Paper delivered: “Schwierigkeitsgrad deutscher Verbstellungsmuster für polnische Sprachlerner auf Niveaustufe B1”, March 2008

International Conference on Linguistics and Foreign Language Teaching ”The Role of Linguistics in Methodology of Foreign Language Teaching”, Department of English and German at the State School of Higher Vocational Education, Chelm; Paper delivered: “Możliwości i granice modelowania procesu akwizycji składni języka niemieckiego u ucznia polskiego  – próba weryfikacji Hipotezy Teachability”, June 2007

International Conference on Linguistics of Society Gesellschaft für Sprache und Sprachen e.V., The Ruhr University, Bochum; Paper delivered „Entwicklungsprofile im Syntaxerwerb des Deutschen durch polnische Lerner – psycholinguistische und glottodidaktische Aspekte“, February 2007