Associate Professor Antonie Alm
Te Whatu Kairangi Award
Enduring energy and inspiration for learners
Associate Professor Antonie Alm | School of Arts, Languages and Cultures, University of Otago | Otākou Whakaihu Waka
Dr Alm is clearly a highly effective German educator. Innovation has stemmed from her creativity resulting in the innovative ‘intraformal’ technique which is being cited in recent international research on innovative pedagogy for language learning. The intraformal technique refers to the “dynamic interplay between formal classroom instruction and informal, self-directed language engagement, often facilitated through digital platforms.” This technique fosters meaningful language learning by validating the diverse ways students engage with a second language outside the classroom, promoting access, participation, and deeper learning.
She makes language learning a highly inclusive, accessible and safe experience for students. They refer to her as “an incredible teacher”. She is also highly adaptive, evolving her teaching to accommodate the disruptive emergence of large language learning models and moving from teaching German to teaching other languages. She has made long-lasting positive impacts on her students over the past 30 years and is active across her university and internationally. One student commented, “I have taken the skills, learning techniques and knowledge I learnt in this paper to other areas in my education…”