Sponsors of literacyforum.ch

The domain of language and culture is a priority area for the IRDP. It includes research and development work in the field of French as a first language, foreign languages, bilingual education, plurilingualism, and cultural variety.

The activities of the IRDP range from engaging with methodological questions to evaluations (PISA, HarmoS, evaluation of teaching materials), and even the development of materials (for example, for promoting language awareness).

The department of teaching and research in French teaching methodology (UER-FR) at the University of Teacher Education of the Canton of Vaud (HEP/VD) trains teachers in the disciplines of French as a first and second language and in plurilingualism both for the three cycles of compulsory schooling and for post-compulsory education.

In addition to research into lexis and spelling (in connection with compulsory schooling), and into the effect of plurilingual approaches at primary school level, the following research projects are currently underway on the subject of literacy:

Reading circles and guided reading: Models for interacting, developing and promoting the comprehension of literature for children and young adult literature (cycle 2)

Awareness of and familiarity with the subject matter and goals of French literature teaching and the literary knowledge of secondary level teachers from university study to entry into the teaching profession at secondary level.

Classroom ideas geared to promoting plurilingual reading
http://www.hepl.ch/cms/accueil/formation/unites-enseignement-et-recherche/didactique-du-francais.html

The Centre for Reading is responsible for research interests in reading, media, and language at the Institute for Research and Development of the School of Teacher Education FHNW. Research projects are carried out at the Centre for Reading and the results are made available for practical application via professional development offerings and in the development of teaching materials.

PH Zurich focuses on language education, written language acquisition, and digital literacy in research and teaching.

The SIKJM is a national institute responsible for research and documentation in the field of children's and youth media as well as for developing projects to promote reading.

It has branches in the French and Italian speaking parts of Switzerland and is an associated institute of the University of Zurich.

The Institute for Teacher Education is an interfaculty centre that works closely with the Faculties of Humanities, Natural Sciences, Economics and Social Sciences, Psychology and Education. The mission of the university is to develop and disseminate knowledge and contribute to the development of society. For IUFE, this mission is to develop and disseminate didactic and transversal knowledge in order to grasp educational phenomena in all their diversity. This mission is closely linked to teacher training.

The IUFE brings together four training programmes for teachers of primary, secondary and special schools, as well as for training in the management of educational institutions. In addition, the institute is actively involved in teacher training.

French didactics is anchored at IUFE in particular through the Group for Research and Analysis of French Taught (Groupe de Recherche et d'analyse du français enseigné, GRAFE). French didactics also contributes to the development of curricula and teaching materials for French-speaking Switzerland.

The School of Teacher Education Thurgau (PHTG) offers degree programmes for pre-school and primary level, lower secondary level and upper secondary level, as well as for early childhood professionals. The PHTG's core tasks also include research and development in the field of education, the management of a media and didactics centre and the continuing education of teachers and school administrators. The PHTG cooperates closely in teaching and research with the University of Excellence Konstanz. The two universities together form the Binational School of Education (BiSE).

The activities of SUPSI's Department of Formation and Learning (DFA) focus on initial and continuing training, research and services to the professional and cultural sphere of reference and to the territory.

Initial vocational training is aimed at those who wish to train as:

• pre-school teacher (Bachelor's degree in Teaching at pre-school level);
• primary school teacher (Bachelor's degree in Teaching for the primary level);
• Middle School teacher (Master's degree in Teaching for Secondary I level);
• secondary school teacher (Baccalaureate in Teaching for Baccalaureate Schools).

The following research centres in the field of literacy are active at the DFA literacy:

• the Centre of Competence in Teaching Italian as a School Language (DILS)
  http://www.supsi.ch/dfa/ricerca/centri-competenza/dils
• the library
  https://sites.supsi.ch/biblioteca/biblioteche-supsi/dfa.html

The University of Teacher Education Fribourg/Freiburg (HEP | PH FR) is a bilingual educational institution at tertiary level. It is active in initial and continuing education for teachers of primary school level and in selected subjects at the secondary level. Additionally, the institution is a provider of educational materials and multimedia resources.
Through its commitment to research and development, the HEP | PH FR attaches great value to the coaching of students in training settings. By working closely with all stakeholders and partners in the primary school sector, the institution supports teachers throughout their professional careers. Research activities are conducted in nine different research units (RUs), both in collaboration with the Institute for Multilingualism and in the context of further training programmes.
In the autumn semester of 2025, the new Faculty of Education and Educational Sciences will be incorporated into the university, bringing all teacher education – including the primary level programme – under one roof.

The Department of Languages at the Zug University of Teacher Education (PH Zug) comprises the subject areas of German/German as a Second Language (DaZ), English and French. It trains future teachers in professional, competence-based teaching methods for mother tongues and foreign languages. It supports schools and teachers through expert advice, continuing professional development and work on the pedagogical development of languages.

Language and literature pedagogy, as well as the complexity of language practices, are central to the German/DaZ Department’s work. The aim is to acquire the necessary qualifications to promote communicative and literary skills. Close collaboration with the research units Zentrum Mündlichkeit (Centre for Orality) and Dozentur DaZ (DaZ Chair) ensures, on the one hand, teaching based on scientific findings and, on the other, practice-oriented research and development.

The English Department is committed to developing teaching materials and methodologies for the teaching of English at primary level. The topics covered include academic language, vocabulary acquisition and digital storytelling, as well as the needs of specific learner groups such as native speakers or ‘SoMeGas’ (social media users, gamers, etc.), who are already developing advanced English language skills through their media consumption even before they begin taking English lessons.

The French Department also develops teaching materials and support resources, particularly for bilingual and interdisciplinary teaching. The focus is on learning French at primary level, promoting communication skills and exchanges with French-speaking Switzerland.