12 to 15 students per language group

Participants will receive 5 ECTS credit points and a certificate if they attend regularly (at least 80% attendance) and participate actively. Additionally, six weeks after the end of the course a Transcript of Records is issued by Humboldt-University.

The course focuses on the development of communicative competence in listening comprehension, speaking, reading, grammar and writing.
According to self-assessment and “Sprachpass”, the participants are placed in groups of different language levels. For the best outcome to support the students' progress, different methods are used according to the level and topics covered in class. According to the level of the participants, there might be a focus on certain exercises, in-class discussions and activities.

The respective schedule and content strongly depend on different aspects such as the course book and reading materials, the background of the students and personal interests in terms of topics.

The participants will be placed in different groups according to their results in the placement test on the first course day.

Academic lessons

• You will receive a total of 45 contact hours (one contact hour equals 45 minutes; 11 contact hours per week).
• The lessons are held three times a week.
• Lessons will comprise lectures, group work, discussion sessions, excursions
• Components of the language lessons are:
  - Grammar
  - Conversation
  - Writing
  - Listening and reading comprehension
  - Pronunciation

Schedule (Track A)

Cultural extra-curricular activities:

HUWISU offers a fine selection of interesting extra-curricular activities and aims to give all participants an unforgettable stay in Berlin. Your program includes excursions, sport activities and social gatherings providing you the opportunity to get to know the city, the university and your classmates better and to meet students from all parts of the world. The costs for these offers are included in the course fees.

Activities and tours we offer regularly: Federal Chancellery, German Parliament, House of Representatives, Topography of Terror, Political Archive, Museum Island, Kreuzberg Tour, Daytrip to Potsdam, Boat trip, Beach Volleyball, Exhibitions, Farewell Party…

This course is specifically designed for those who are primarily seeking instruction in the German language. It is for undergraduate, graduate students as well as Ph.D. candidates who are interested in a semi-intensive language course which can be combined with a subject course.

Students without previous knowledge of German can participate in the course as well as students of German from elementary level (A1/ A2),  intermediate level (B1/ B2) and advanced level (C1/C2).

Participants must be at least 18 years old.

Placement in language courses

Preliminary allocation to a certain language level is based on information provided during registration (language self-assessment, questionnaire) and a placement test, which is done online before the course starts or on the first day of the course in written or oral form.