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Courses for Technical, Library and Administrative Staff (TVBP) Summer Semester 2026

New compact courses from May to July!

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 April 14, 2026 (online event)

    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 April 15, 2026 (online event)

    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 April 16, 2026 (online event)

    Lecturer: Dr. Peter James Witchalls

    Topics:

    • Presenting & Discussing in English with Confidence & Competence

     

    Registration for the semester-long courses

    • from14.04.202612:15 PMuntil
      14.07.20261:15 PM

      University English (B2) – Online

      Event is over
    • from15.04.202612:15 PMuntil
      15.07.20261:15 PM

      English For Confident Professional Communication (B2/C1) – Online

      Event is over
    • from16.04.202612:15 PMuntil
      16.07.20261:15 PM

      Speaking With Impact: Presenting And Discussing In English (C1+) – Online

      Event is over
     
     
     
     
     

    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

    IT Troubleshooting

    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

    • from13.04.20269:00 AMuntil
      06.07.202610:30 AM

      English For Academic Affairs And Student Services A2/B1 – Online

      Event is over
    • from13.04.202610:30 AMuntil
      06.07.202612:00 PM

      English For Academic Affairs And Student Services B2/C1 – Online

      Event is over
    • from15.04.202611:00 AMuntil
      08.07.202612:00 PM

      English For Library Personnel (B1+) – Online

      Event is over
    • from15.04.20263:00 PMuntil
      01.07.20264:00 PM

      IT Troubleshooting (B1+)

      Event is over
     
     
     
     
     

    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.

    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.

    New additional dates:

    • Fridays, 05. June – 10 July 2026
    • 11:00–12:00
    • Online (Teams)
    • B1

    Dates:

    • Mondays, 13 April – 18 May 2026
    • 13:00–14:00
    • Online (Teams)
    • 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.

    New additional dates:

    • Mondays, 01. June – 06 July 2026
    • 13:00–14:00
    • Online (Teams)
    • B1/B2

    Dates:

    • Fridays, 17. April – 29 May 2026
    • 11:00–12:00
    • Online (Teams)
    • B1/B2

    NEW 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.

    • Fridays, 22 May – 26 June
    • 9:30–10:30
    • Online (Teams)
    • ·B1+

    Registration for Compact Courses

    • from13.04.20261:00 PMuntil
      18.05.20262:00 PM

      Refresher Course – Level B1 – Pre-Intermediate (Online)

      Event is over
    • from17.04.202611:00 AMuntil
      29.05.202612:00 PM

      Day To Day English – Level B1/B2 – Online

      Event is over
    • from22.05.20269:30 AMuntil
      26.06.202610:30 AM

      NEW – Communicative Grammar – Level B1+ – Online

    • from01.06.20261:00 PMuntil
      06.07.20262:00 PM

      NEW – Day To Day English – Level B1/B2 – Online

    • from05.06.202611:00 AMuntil
      10.07.202612:00 PM

      NEW – Refresher Course – Level B1 – Pre-Intermediate (Online)

     
     
     
     
     

    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

    Welcome Week English

    English For Spontaneous Meetings

    Understanding Accents and Pronunciation

    Writing Content in English

    E-Mail English

    Registration for Skills Workshops

    • from28.04.20269:15 AMuntil
      30.04.202612:30 PM

      Skills Workshop: Email English – Level B1+ – 28.04 and 30.04 – Online

      Event is over
    • from19.05.20269:15 AMuntil
      21.05.202612:30 PM

      Skills Workshop: Writing Content in English – Level B1+ – 19.05 and 21.05

    • from02.06.20269:15 AMuntil
      09.06.202612:30 PM

      Skills Workshop: English For Spontaneous Meetings – Level B1+ – 02.06 and 09.06

    • from18.06.20269:15 AMuntil
      26.06.202612:30 PM

      Skills Workshop: Understanding Accents And Pronunciation – Level B1+ – 18.06 and 26.06

    • from30.06.20269:15 AMuntil
      07.07.202612:30 PM

      Skills Workshop: Welcome Week English – Level B1+ – 30.06 and 07.07

     
     
     
     
     

    Easy English Circles

    Our English language conversation club meets two times per week from 1 pm to 2 pm; 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. If you have further questions or want to join the Teams channel, please do not hesitate to contact Benjamin Hiscox (benjamin.paul.hiscox"AT"uni-hamburg.de).

     
     

    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