This course is primarily aimed at doctoral candidates and regular students in master’s degree programs that are taught in English. However, it may also be attended by employees and exchange students (Erasmus+, direct exchange).

• Application to register for a course submitted in good time using the online form on our website
• Completion of Language Center placement test or grade from language course previously attended at Freie Universität

5 ECTS

• Regular and active participation
• Completion of coursework (homework, grammar tests, writing short texts)
• Successful completion of final exam (reading comprehension, listening comprehension, writing skills, grammatical structures)

General Focus:

• Introduction to basic grammatical structures
• Consistently developing a basic vocabulary
• Practice listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills in specific everyday situations
• Simple exercises to improve students’ ability to express themselves orally and in writing
• Introduction to different forms of independent learning and working
• Discussing and reflecting upon cultural differences in everyday situations in Germany, Berlin, and at the university

Learning Objectives:

After completing this course, students are able to

• understand the content of informative texts on familiar topics that are written in everyday language with a limited vocabulary, international terms, and visual context clues;
• understand simple instructions in everyday situations and understand information provided in clear, slow, standard German;
• introduce themselves and others and carry out short, familiar conversations using established structures;
• add specific information to short texts (e.g., notes, messages, and forms) and write short texts on familiar topics.

Course Topics:

Personal information; social environment; shopping; free time; work; living situation; institutions; transportation

This course is primarily aimed at doctoral candidates and regular students in master’s degree programs that are taught in English. However, it may also be attended by employees and exchange students (Erasmus+, direct exchange).

• Application to register for a course submitted in good time using the online form on our website
• Completion of Language Center placement test or grade from language course previously attended at Freie Universität

5 ECTS

• Regular and active participation
• Completion of coursework (homework, grammar tests)
• Successful completion of final exam (reading comprehension, listening comprehension, grammatical structures, oral exam)

General Focus:

• Introduction to and reinforcement of basic grammatical structures
• Consistently developing a basic vocabulary
• Practice listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills in concrete, everyday situations
• Simple exercises to practice oral and written expression
• Introduction to different forms of independent learning and working
• Discussing and reflecting upon cultural differences in everyday situations in Germany, Berlin, and at the university 

Learning Objectives:

After completing this course, students are able to

• locate specific, predictable information in simple, everyday texts, as well as read short texts and reproduce key words, turns of phrase, and short phrases;
• grasp the content of very simple informational texts on familiar topics, particularly when these contain many international words and/or visual content clues;
• understand individual words and very simple sentences in clearly written, everyday texts concerning the specific areas and necessities of everyday life;
• understand individual statements in clearly spoken texts on familiar topics, provided these contain international words and pauses to allow for comprehension;
• use simple words, everyday expressions, and very simple structures in familiar situations, and are able to respond to simple questions;
• establish simple communication when they converse with someone who speaks slowly and clearly and who is willing to help them;
• provide or request personal information in writing through short texts (e.g., notes, messages, and forms);
• use structural elements to provide or request personal information and information pertaining to specific situations in writing.

Course Topics:

Personal information; living situation; institutions; transportation; travel; health; weather; holidays