Sofia

Tsakalidou

Assistant Professor
Didactics of German as a Foreign Language with emphasis on Special Educational Needs

Contact

School of German Language and Literature

New Annex of the Faculty of Philosophy, office 3a

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

2310997549

Studies
2003

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

School of Philosophy / Department of German Language and Literature

Postdoctoral research project titled: 'Assessing Special Educational Competencies and Differentiating Instruction in the Foreign Language Classroom: An Investigation of Teacher Perspectives and Experiences in Public Primary and Secondary Education.'

2021 - 2022

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

School of Philosophy / Department of German Language and Literature

Postdoctoral research on 'Heterogeneity in the German Classroom as a Second Foreign Language in Primary and Secondary Education.'

2014 - 2020

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

School of Philosophy / Department of German Language and Literature

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Dissertation on: "Teaching spelling to learners with dyslexia learning German as a second foreign language in primary education" (Passed with Distinction)

2006 - 2008

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Interdepartmental Master's Program in Translation and Interpreting, Specialization in Translation

Master's Degree (M.Sc.)

2001 - 2005

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

School of Philosophy / Department of German Language and Literature

Bachelor's Degree

Research Interests
Foreign/Second Language Pedagogy Early Foreign Language Learning Second Foreign Language Acquisition Research Methodology Reflective Teaching Giftedness twice-exceptionality (2e) Special Educational Needs (SEN) Action Research Teacher Education Differentiated Instruction Curriculum Adaptations Intercultural Education Education for Students with Migrant or Refugee Backgrounds ICT in Education Multisensory Teaching Approaches Artificial Intelligence in Foreign Language Teaching Education for Vulnerable Social Groups Heterogeneous Classroom Management Managing School Violence Student Active Citizenship
Professional Experience
2023

3rd Middle School of Mikra

Principal and German Language Teacher

2003

44 educational institutions, including public and private primary and secondary schools, foreign language centers, and Institutes of Vocational Training (I.E.K.).

German Language Teacher

2023 - 2025

Lifelong Learning Center of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Instructor and Educational Material Developer

Description:

Served as an instructor and developed course materials (225 hours) for the 410-hour professional training program, “Assessment and Instruction in a Foreign Language for Learners with Special Educational Needs,” offered by the Lifelong Learning Center of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (KEDIVIM AUTh).

2021 - 2024

School of German Language and Literature, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Adjunct lecturer

2026

School of German Language and Literature, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Assistant Professor

Description:

Didactics of German as a Foreign Language with emphasis on Special Educational Needs

Skills
English language (Certificate of Proficiency in English, University of Cambridge, C2)
German language (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, C2)
Russian language (Certificate of Russian Language Proficiency from the Pushkin State Institute, B2)
ECDL Core (2006)
ECDL Expert (2008)
ICT Certification for Educators (Level A) – 2009
ICT Certification for Educators (Level B1) – 2018
ICT Certification for Educators (Level B2) – 2020
Short CV

Dr. Sofia Tsakalidou is an Assistant Professor for the School of German Language and Literature at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh). She is an accomplished researcher and educator with over two decades of experience spanning all levels of education, including public and private schools, language institutes, and Vocational Training Institutes (IEK).

Her academic record is extensive, encompassing teaching at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as in professional development programs offered by the AUTh Center of Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning (KEDIVIM).

Her research focuses on Language Didactics, Special Educational Needs (such as dyslexia, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and giftedness), differentiated instruction, and the integration of Artificial Intelligence into pedagogical practice.

She has authored a monograph, contributed chapters to edited volumes, and published numerous articles in scientific journals. In addition to her research and teaching, she is an active member of the academic community, serving as a reviewer for international conferences and scientific journals, supervising academic theses, and organizing scientific workshops.

Dr. Tsakalidou holds high-level language proficiency certifications in English (C2), German (C2), and Russian (B2). She also possesses advanced digital skills (ECDL Expert, ICT Level B2) and has participated in a wide range of professional training seminars and workshops.

She is a mother of four children.

Courses
2021 - 2024

ΑΚ0089- Educational research methodology (Undergraduate)

2021 - 2022

ΑΚ0248 - Differentiated instruction: Basic principles and practice (Undergraduate)

2023 - 2024

ΑΚ0248 - Differentiated instruction: Basic principles and practice (Undergraduate)

2020 - 2023

ΑΚ0243 - Learner-centred adjustments in the teaching of German as a foreign language (Undergraduate)

2024 - 2024

ΑΚ0262 - Evaluation in the teaching and learning of foreign languages (Undergraduate)

2023 - 2024

Δ003- European policies on intercultural communication (Postgraduate)

2022 - 2023

ΓΔ011 - Foreign language teaching and learning difficulties (Postgraduate)

2026

AK0280 - Giftedness and Foreign Language Education (6+3 ECTS) (Undergraduate)

2026

AK0278 - Instructional materials design workshop: Digital tools and Artificial Intelligence in inclusive GFL-Teaching (6+3 ECTS) (Undergraduate)

Projects