Our Courses

Registration requirements:

• Completed A2 level (proof of level proficiency by standardized certificates such as Goethe-Zertifikate, Telc or TestDaF certificates, Deutsches Sprachdiplom etc.) or SZ placement test result level B1 respectively for registration for B1.1 and B1.2 courses.
• Completed B1 level (proof of level proficiency by standardized certificates such as Goethe-Zertifikate, Telc or TestDaF certificates, Deutsches Sprachdiplom etc.) or SZ placement test result level B2 respectively for registration for B2.1 and B2.2 courses.

Length and frequency, exams and ECTS points:

• 4 academic hrs per week (2x90 minutes)
• 6 ECTS after passing graded exam (written/oral/presentation/… depending on course)

Objective:

• Improvement and enhancement of your general German communication skills

Course description:

• Training of all four skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking) with an action and goal oriented approach
• Vocabulary exercises
• Presentation of grammatical structures with a pragmatic functional perspective
• With textbook

Upon completion of a B1 standard course you can:

• understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
• deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken.
• produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest.
• describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

Upon completion of a B2 standard course you can:

• understand the main ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialization.
• interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers without strain for either party.
• produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

Registration requirements:

• Completed A2 level (proof of level proficiency by standardized certificates such as Goethe-Zertifikate, Telc or TestDaF certificates, Deutsches Sprachdiplom etc.) or SZ placement test result level B1 respectively for registration for B1 courses.
• Completed B1 level (proof of level proficiency by standardized certificates such as Goethe-Zertifikate, Telc or TestDaF certificates, Deutsches Sprachdiplom etc.) or SZ placement test result level B2 respectively for registration for B2 courses.

Length and frequency, exams and ECTS points:

• 2 academic hrs per week (1x90 minutes)
• 3 ECTS after passing graded exam (written/oral/presentation/… depending on course)

Objective:

• Improvement of pronunciation and intonation
• Training and improvement of aspects of individual pronunciation

Course description:

• Phonetic training with interactive exercises
• Additionally also training of all four skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking) with an action and goal oriented approach

Upon completion of a phonetics course you can:

• pronounce German phonemes in regards to quantity and quality relatively effortlessly.
• master pronunciation in such a way that it does not lead to misunderstandings neither.
• understand varieties of non-standard German pronunciation (dialects etc.).
• understand implicit and emotional content as expressed by changes in intonation, accent and melody

Registration requirements:

• Completed B1 level (proof of level proficiency by standardized certificates such as Goethe-Zertifikate, Telc or TestDaF certificates, Deutsches Sprachdiplom etc.) or SZ placement test result level B2 respectively for registration for B2 courses.
• Completed B2 level (proof of level proficiency by standardized certificates such as Goethe-Zertifikate, Telc or TestDaF certificates, Deutsches Sprachdiplom etc.) or SZ placement test result level C1 respectively for registration for C1 courses.

Length and frequency, exams and ECTS points:

• 2 academic hrs per week (1x90 minutes)
• 3 ECTS after passing graded exam (written/oral/presentation/… depending on course)

Objective:

• Acquisition or enhancement of special skills for academic or professional contexts

Course description:

• Courses with special focusses and action and goal oriented approach:

1. Fokus Schreiben (Writing in focus): Training of general and academic writing skills
2. Fokus Lesen (Reading in focus): Reading strategies for comprehension of academic texts
3. Fokus Präsentieren und Diskutieren (Presentations and discussions): how to do presentations in German and discussion techniques for academic and professional contexts
4. Fokus Wissenschaftssprache Deutsch (German in a science context): Language, conventions and rules for German for academic purposes

• Use of textbooks and other materials

Upon completion of a B2 course you can:

• understand the main points in complex texts dealing with concrete and abstract topics.
• understand discussions in my own academic field of expertise.
• express yourself clearly and specifically in a broad range of topics and explain your point of view in regards to certain topics.
• talk about advantages and disadvantages of different possibilities.

Upon completion of a C1 course you can:

• comprehend a broad spectrum of longer challenging texts and grasp implicit meanings.
• use language flexibly and efficiently in professional life or academic contexts.
• express yourself clearly and in a structured and detailed manner in regards to complex topics and appropriately use a variety of text connectors.

Registration requirements:

• Completed B1 level (proof of level proficiency by standardized certificates such as Goethe-Zertifikate, Telc or TestDaF certificates, Deutsches Sprachdiplom etc.) or SZ placement test result level B2 respectively for registration for B2 courses.
• Completed B2 level (proof of level proficiency by standardized certificates such as Goethe-Zertifikate, Telc or TestDaF certificates, Deutsches Sprachdiplom etc.) or SZ placement test result level C1 respectively for registration for C1 courses.

Length and frequency, exams and ECTS points:

• 2 academic hrs per week (1x90 minutes)
• 3 ECTS after passing graded exam (written/oral/presentation/… depending on course). For indicated special courses with extra sessions and a presentations you will receive 6 ECTS

Objective:

• Reflection about identity and intercultural competence
• Acquisition of cultural knowledge about the German speaking countries
• Enhancement and solidification of language skills

Course description:

• Topics:

1. Contemporary Germany
2. Cultural studies (e.g. with focus on music or film)
3. First orientation in Hamburg for newly arrived international students
4. Critical consideration of stereotypes, clichés and prejudices

• Action and goal oriented training and solidification of language skills:

1. Monological speaking for presentations
2. Aspects of German for scienticic purposes while actively writing essays or handouts
3. Specialised vocabulary and expressions
4. Transfer competence

• Use of textbooks and other materials

Upon completion of a B2 course you can:

• appreciate perspectives and views differing from your own world view in intercultural encounters and express yourself appropriately according to the context.
• clear up misunderstandings and misinterpretations that arise in international encounters and explain what was actually meant.
• contribute to maintaining a positive atmosphere and move the discussion forward.
• reflect on and explain specific ways of communicating in your own and in other cultures and anticipate misunderstandings.

Upon completion of a C1 course you can:

• function as a mediatior in intercultural encounters.
• deal with ambivalences, offer advice and encouragement and avoid misunderstandings.
• anticipate possible misunderstandings in oral or written communication.
• help to maintain a positive interaction by commenting on and interpreting varying cultural perspectives of the topic at hand.

Here you can find more information on offers for international researchers, post-docs, scholarship holders, and doctoral students at
the University of Hamburg (UHH and UKE).