Courses for Technical, Library and Administrative Staff (TVBP)

Would you like to enhance your English language skills and discuss different UHH related topics with your work colleagues? In addition to grammar, our courses for employees also impart university-specific vocabulary such as “Studienbüro” and “Berufungskommission” whilst also tying in typical conversational and communication situations from everyday professional life at our university.

We also respond to your study and topic requests so that you can acquire, maintain and enhance your language skills to meet your needs.

The courses are offered at the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

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For Technical, Library and Administrative Staff (TVBP) we offer:

Semester Courses

These 13-week courses are a perfect chance to improve your English skills. Each week you have the opportunity to discuss different topics, such as presentation techniques, university-specific terminology, and telephone skills, while expanding your English vocabulary.

University English (B2)

This course focuses on English skills for everyday work at the University. Key topics include telephone calls, email and letter writing, presentation techniques, participating in English-language meetings, and handling intercultural differences, as well as other university-specific vocabulary and themes.

Date: Tuesdays, 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM starting from October 20, 2026 (online)

Lecturer: Orla Mac Mahon

Topics:

The language of telephoning
Writing emails and letters
Intercultural differences
Providing information on the faculty/your area of work
Presentation techniques
International meetings with suppliers/universities etc.
University-specific vocabulary

English for Confident Professional Communication (B2/C1)

The aim of this course is to deepen and professionalise communication in English. Example topics include writing official texts, making telephone calls, giving presentations and participating in meetings. Other content includes aspects of intercultural communication, university-specific vocabulary and frequently asked questions from everyday working life.

Date: Wednesdays 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM starting from October 21, 2026 (online)

Lecturer: Dr. Peter Witchalls

Topics:

Writing stylistically correct official emails and letters
Intercultural differences
The language of telephoning
University-specific vocabulary
Providing information on the faculty/your area of work
Presentation techniques
International meetings
FAQ
etc.

Speaking with Impact: Presenting and Discussing in English (C1+)

The focus of this course is good presentation and debating practices, such as diverse voice, language and nonverbal training exercises. This will include giving a short talk on a work-related theme, as well as discussing and receiving feedback on the language used. The overall aims are to improve fluency and proficiency, to understand the underlying principles of good communication, and to provide an opportunity to discuss university-related topics.

Date: Thursdays, 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM starting from October 22, 2026 (online)

Lecturer: Dr. Peter James Witchalls

Topics:

Presenting & Discussing in English with Confidence & Competence

Registration for the semester-long courses

from20.10.202612:15 PMuntil
26.01.20271:15 PM
University English (B2) – Online
Information for the selected slot
Registration for the semester-long courses
University English (B2) – Online
from20.10.202612:15 PMuntil
26.01.20271:15 PM
Online
9 spots remaining
Bookable until 13 October 2026, 1:00 pm
Add to calendar (iCal)
E-Mail
E-Mail confirmation
First name
Last name
Position
Faculty
Institute/organization
For technical, administrative, library and academic staff
I confirm that my supervisor has been informed about my participation and has approved it.
-
I am an executive
Privacy statement
I consent to the University of Hamburg, in this case: Sprachenzentrum, using my data for the purpose of event registration or organization and sending me the necessary information by email (e.g., the registration confirmation and cancellation link). The data will be deleted 14 day/s after processing is completed. I understand that I may withdraw my consent from Sprachenzentrum at any time with future effect. Revocation of my consent does not affect any previous processing of data and information. More information on data processing.
from21.10.202612:15 PMuntil
27.01.20271:15 PM
English For Confident Professional Communication (B2/C1) – Online
Information for the selected slot
Registration for the semester-long courses
English For Confident Professional Communication (B2/C1) – Online
from21.10.202612:15 PMuntil
27.01.20271:15 PM
Online
7 spots remaining
Bookable until 14 October 2026, 1:00 pm
Add to calendar (iCal)
E-Mail
E-Mail confirmation
First name
Last name
Position
Faculty
Institute/organization
For technical, administrative, library and academic staff
I confirm that my supervisor has been informed about my participation and has approved it.
-
I am an executive
Privacy statement
I consent to the University of Hamburg, in this case: Sprachenzentrum, using my data for the purpose of event registration or organization and sending me the necessary information by email (e.g., the registration confirmation and cancellation link). The data will be deleted 14 day/s after processing is completed. I understand that I may withdraw my consent from Sprachenzentrum at any time with future effect. Revocation of my consent does not affect any previous processing of data and information. More information on data processing.
from22.10.202612:15 PMuntil
28.01.20271:15 PM
Speaking With Impact: Presenting And Discussing In English (C1+) – Online
Information for the selected slot
Registration for the semester-long courses
Speaking With Impact: Presenting And Discussing In English (C1+) – Online
from22.10.202612:15 PMuntil
28.01.20271:15 PM
Online
11 spots remaining
Bookable until 15 October 2026, 1:00 pm
Add to calendar (iCal)
E-Mail
E-Mail confirmation
First name
Last name
Position
Faculty
Institute/organization
For technical, administrative, library and academic staff
I confirm that my supervisor has been informed about my participation and has approved it.
-
I am an executive
Privacy statement
I consent to the University of Hamburg, in this case: Sprachenzentrum, using my data for the purpose of event registration or organization and sending me the necessary information by email (e.g., the registration confirmation and cancellation link). The data will be deleted 14 day/s after processing is completed. I understand that I may withdraw my consent from Sprachenzentrum at any time with future effect. Revocation of my consent does not affect any previous processing of data and information. More information on data processing.

Subject-Specific Semester Courses

The following courses have been developed with the various faculties and departments of the University of Hamburg in order to focus on the language requirements of specific administrative areas. If you work in one of the related fields, you are more than welcome to participate in these 12-week courses.

Course Descriptions Subject-Specific Semester Courses

English For IT Support and Communication (B1+)

English for Faculty Administration

English for Academic Affairs and Student Services A2/B1

English for Academic Affairs and Student Services B2/C1

English for Library Personnel

Compact Courses

Our six-week Compact Courses provide an opportunity to get back into the habit of speaking English. With a focus on fluency and active communication, they are perfect for everyone whose English is a little rusty.

English for Administrative Writing

More and more content needs to be written in English, including reports, website texts and official regulations. This course will look at the kind of administrative texts you may need to write or translate, as well as topics like clarity, sentence structure, punctuation, and how online and the use of online and AI tools.

Dates:

Mondays, 04 January– 08 February 2027
1-2 PM
Online (Zoom)
B1+

Email English

This course considers the process behind writing emails in English, with a particular focus on the structure of emails, specialist vocabulary and phrases, levels of politeness and formality, and how online and AI tools can assist (or not) the writing process

Dates:

Mondays, 02 November – 14 December 2026
1-2 PM
Online (Zoom)
B1+

Refresher Course

This course is designed for employees who have not spoken English for some time and would like to boost their confidence. The focus is on reactivating the language and building communication skills.

Thursdays, 05 November – 10 December 2026
1-2 PM
Online (Zoom)
B1

Day To Day English

This short course is designed to build confidence when speaking English, focusing on improving fluency and communication skills while discussing university- and work-related topics

Tuesdays, 17 November – 08 December 2026
11 AM - 12 PM
Online (Zoom)
B1/B2

Communicative Grammar

For many of us, it has been a long time since our English lessons at school, and much of what we learned has become rusty. This 6-week course aims to refresh your knowledge of key tenses and grammatical structures and, more importantly, to help you use them confidently in everyday communication.

Tuesdays, 05 January – 09 February
11 AM - 12 PM
Online (Zoom)
·B1+

Skills Workshops

With a focus on practical skills, these half-day workshops are ideal for anyone who wants to work on their abilities in a particular area, such as writing emails or participating in English-language meetings. The short, intensive sessions can easily be integrated into a busy schedule.

Course Description Skills Workshops

English For Spontaneous Meetings

Understanding Accents and Pronunciation

Helpdesk English

Registration for Skills Workshops

from11.11.20269:15 AMuntil
18.11.202612:30 PM
Skills Workshop: English For Spontaneous Meetings – Level B1+ – 11.11 and 18.11.26
Information for the selected slot
Registration for Skills Workshops
Skills Workshop: English For Spontaneous Meetings – Level B1+ – 11.11 and 18.11.26
from11.11.20269:15 AMuntil
18.11.202612:30 PM
Mittelweg 177, Room N0075
13 spots remaining
Bookable until 4 November 2026, 1:00 pm
Add to calendar (iCal)
E-Mail
E-Mail confirmation
First name
Last name
Position
Faculty
Institute/organization
For technical, administrative, library and academic staff
I confirm that my supervisor has been informed about my participation and has approved it.
-
I am an executive
Privacy statement
I consent to the University of Hamburg, in this case: Sprachenzentrum, using my data for the purpose of event registration or organization and sending me the necessary information by email (e.g., the registration confirmation and cancellation link). The data will be deleted 14 day/s after processing is completed. I understand that I may withdraw my consent from Sprachenzentrum at any time with future effect. Revocation of my consent does not affect any previous processing of data and information. More information on data processing.
from02.12.20269:15 AMuntil
09.12.202612:30 PM
Skills Workshop: Helpdesk English - Level B1+ - 02.12. + 09.12.26
Information for the selected slot
Registration for Skills Workshops
Skills Workshop: Helpdesk English - Level B1+ - 02.12. + 09.12.26
from02.12.20269:15 AMuntil
09.12.202612:30 PM
Mittelweg 177, N0071/73
15 spots remaining
Bookable until 25 November 2026, 1:00 pm
Add to calendar (iCal)
E-Mail
E-Mail confirmation
First name
Last name
Position
Faculty
Institute/organization
For technical, administrative, library and academic staff
I confirm that my supervisor has been informed about my participation and has approved it.
-
I am an executive
Privacy statement
I consent to the University of Hamburg, in this case: Sprachenzentrum, using my data for the purpose of event registration or organization and sending me the necessary information by email (e.g., the registration confirmation and cancellation link). The data will be deleted 14 day/s after processing is completed. I understand that I may withdraw my consent from Sprachenzentrum at any time with future effect. Revocation of my consent does not affect any previous processing of data and information. More information on data processing.
from03.02.20279:15 AMuntil
10.02.202712:30 PM
Skills Workshop: Understanding Accents And Pronunciation – Level B1+ – 03.02 and 10.02.27
Information for the selected slot
Registration for Skills Workshops
Skills Workshop: Understanding Accents And Pronunciation – Level B1+ – 03.02 and 10.02.27
from03.02.20279:15 AMuntil
10.02.202712:30 PM
Mittelweg 177, N00075
15 spots remaining
Bookable until 27 January 2027, 1:00 pm
Add to calendar (iCal)
E-Mail
E-Mail confirmation
First name
Last name
Position
Faculty
Institute/organization
For technical, administrative, library and academic staff
I confirm that my supervisor has been informed about my participation and has approved it.
-
I am an executive
Privacy statement
I consent to the University of Hamburg, in this case: Sprachenzentrum, using my data for the purpose of event registration or organization and sending me the necessary information by email (e.g., the registration confirmation and cancellation link). The data will be deleted 14 day/s after processing is completed. I understand that I may withdraw my consent from Sprachenzentrum at any time with future effect. Revocation of my consent does not affect any previous processing of data and information. More information on data processing.

Easy English Circles

Our English language conversation club meets two times per week; one session is online and the other is in-person at various locations around the University. There is no need to register, just sign up to the Teams channel and drop in whenever you have time. Easy English Circles

Contact

For queries relating to the course content and placement requirements, please don’t hesitate to contact Mr. Ben Hiscox from the Language Center.

Benjamin Hiscox
Language Center
Contact person for courses for technical, library and administrative staff
Von-Melle-Park 5
20146 Hamburg
Room: 3037
E-Mail: benjamin.paul.hiscox@uni-hamburg.de

If you have any questions about other language courses and offers, please contact Human Resources Development:

E-Mail: fortbildung.uhh@uni-hamburg.de

An overview of the language services offered can also be found on the intranet portal KuS.

Additional Course Offerings

For questions about other language courses and offerings, please feel free to contact Human Resources Development.
E-Mail: fortbildung.uhh"AT"uni-hamburg.de

Courses for Technical, Library and Administrative Staff (TVBP)

For Technical, Library and Administrative Staff (TVBP) we offer:

Semester Courses

University English (B2)

English for Confident Professional Communication (B2/C1)

Speaking with Impact: Presenting and Discussing in English (C1+)

Registration for the semester-long courses

Subject-Specific Semester Courses

Course Descriptions Subject-Specific Semester Courses

English For IT Support and Communication (B1+)

English for Faculty Administration

English for Academic Affairs and Student Services A2/B1

English for Academic Affairs and Student Services B2/C1

English for Library Personnel

Registration for Subject-specific Semester Courses

Compact Courses

English for Administrative Writing

Email English

Refresher Course

Day To Day English

Communicative Grammar

Registration for Compact Courses

Skills Workshops

Course Description Skills Workshops

English For Spontaneous Meetings

Understanding Accents and Pronunciation

Helpdesk English

Registration for Skills Workshops

Easy English Circles

Contact

Additional Course Offerings