Integrated bilingual class as a way to overcome interference of English in German

Abstract

This paper is the result of a study investigating the role of integrated bilingual classes in reducing interference in acquisition of German as the second foreign language. Focus groups were students of the Northern (Arctic) Federal University, Arkhangelsk. The students studied English as a first foreign language and German as a second foreign language. The aim of our study was to find a way of reducing the negative effect of English on German acquisition during speaking. Throughout the study, we applied such methods as observation, interviews of focus groups, surveys and oral testing. To achieve the aim of our research, we conducted a series of integrated classes. During the experiment, we found out that integrated class activities contributed to reducing vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation mistakes during learners’ speaking. This study can provide a basis for future research into the phenomenon of interference and the ways of overcoming it.