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Pre-Sessional German language course
Studying and living in Osnabrück
Certificate und credits
All participants can obtain a certificate of attendance and 4 ECTS points subject to regular attendance. Please note that no final grade is awarded for these courses.
The three-week Pre-Sessional German language course is organised by the Language Center at Osnabrück University and offers German language training at proficiency levels A1 to B2.
During the Pre-Sessional you will enjoy daily German language lessons as well as a wide range of activities as part of our leisure programme which will allow you to experience student life in Osnabrück before you commence your studies at UOS.
The courses at proficiency levels A1 to B1 focus on the four core language competencies of reception, production, interaction, and mediation, and deal with topics that will help you find your feet as a student at Osnabrück University. At proficiency level B2 we offer a project-based course that thematically centres around communication in an academic setting.
The Pre-Sessional starts on 23 Sep 2024 and ends on 11 Oct 2024 and is followed by the Welcome Week for international students.
All international exchange students, PhD candidates, and postdocs that are enrolled at Osnabrück University for the Winter Semester 2024/2025 are welcome to sign up for the Pre-Sessional German language course as a preparation for their study or research stints.
Language lessons always take place Mondays to Fridays in the morning (a total of 50 teaching units). In the afternoons we offer a leisure programme that will introduce the University as well as the different facets of the city of Osnabrück and its surroundings to you.
Course organisation and content
The Pre-Sessional will be offered at proficiency levels A1 to B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). The minimum number of participants is five people per level. If you do not have any prior knowledge of German, please sign up for the course at level A1. If you have studied German already, you must take an online placement test between 22nd and 26th August. Based on your test score, you will be put in a course that best suits your proficiency level.
The courses cover language structures and topics that should help to find your bearings in and around the city and the University, such as asking for directions, socialising with your flat mates in student housing, going shopping, taking public transport, or ordering food. In addition, you will address topics of intercultural communication that will promote your settling-in process in Osnabrück.
In each of the two courses at beginner’s level (A1 and A2), the main focus is on those linguistic and communicative competencies (reception, production, interaction, and mediation) that are essential for everyday life in Osnabrück and at the University. In the courses for levels B1 and B2, you will acquire skills to handle the most common communicative scenarios in an academic environment and you will learn and practise interdisciplinary communication strategies (such as arguing, summarising, presenting, etc.) while working on video and audio projects around the themes of ‘Osnabrück as the City of Peace’ and ‘University Life’ together with your class mates.
READ MORE about registration and payment
For more details regarding application, course organisation and course content please contact the Language Center at intensivkurs@uos.de.
For more information regarding accommodation, matriculation or your subject course choice, please visit the Welcome Week website or contact the International Office directly.
