Are Cities Smart to Blend Learning? A Framework for Language Course Development at Master Level Programs in Dortmund

Abstract

Making a city "smart" is emerging as a strategy to create new ways of imagining, organizing and managing the city and its flows. One essential aspect of the establishment of an organizational basis for "smart cities" projects is education and training. We discuss how English master programs designed in the right way can contribute to cities’ digitalization. This paper focuses on the importance of German language for international students of those master programs and using blended learning approach as a useful study method for learning foreign languages. For research purposes the following master programs of the Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts: "Embedded Systems for Mechatronics", "European Master in Project Management" and "Master Digital Transformation" were chosen as main focus groups for further development and improvement. Since they are the only master programs taught in English at the university, special attention should be paid to the quality of German language course which is integrated there as a part of the studies content. How the master programs are designed has a direct influence on the professional expertise of the graduates and their ability to contribute to the successful realization of the "smart city" concept in innovative projects.