Professor emeritus, RWTH Aachen
Wolfgang Butzkamm
After studying in Marburg, Munster, Dortmund and Appleton, Wolfgang Butzkamm initially taught German as a foreign language at a school in London, before moving into academic positions in Gevelsberg, Kamen, and finally RWTH Aachen, where he worked until his retirement in 2003.
Research Focus
Wolfgang Butzkamm is best known for his work on enlightened monolingualism - the idea that the mother tongue is not the enemy of foreign language learning but its greatest ally.
His research spans bilingual teaching methodology, language acquisition theory, and practical classroom techniques that bridge the gap between academic research and everyday teaching.
Academic Career
- German assistant at a London school
- Teacher at Gevelsberg high school
- Teacher at Kamen comprehensive school
- Professor, Rhineland Pedagogical University, Aachen (1974)
- Professor, RWTH Aachen (1989-2003)