B1-level courses
A2.2/B1.1 (8 contact hours per week)
- 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
General Focus:
- Introduction to, expansion upon, and reinforcement of basic grammatical structures
- Systematic work on building vocabulary
- Improving listening and reading comprehension skills
- Exercises to practice oral and written expression
- Introduction to different forms of independent learning and working
- Reflecting upon experiences in Germany, Berlin, and at the university
Learning Objectives:
After completing this course, students are able to
- understand the main message and some details of factual texts that have been adapted for the classroom, as well as of short texts taken from real-world contexts (e.g., university life) and understand the line of reasoning throughout, albeit not necessarily in detail;
- understand the main points of a text containing familiar subject matter when it is spoken in a clearly articulated manner;
- take part in routine formal discussions on familiar topics, the purpose of which is to exchange information or discuss potential solutions to practical problems, provided clear, standard German is used;
- express and ask for personal views and opinions;
- prepare and carry out a short presentation on a familiar topic within their own field of interest in a clear and comprehensible manner, with the main points generally explained concisely and clearly;
- paraphrase short text passages orally or in writing by using the wording and structure of the original text and compose simple, coherent texts on familiar topics within their own fields of interest;
- put listening and reading strategies into practice and utilize appropriate resources (dictionaries, knowledge of grammar).
Course Topics:
Daily life at a university; city life; the history of Berlin; consumption, advertising, and new media; vocational training, studies, and career; travel and mobility
B1.1 (6 contact hours per week)
- 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
General Focus:
- Expansion upon and reinforcement of basic grammatical structures
- Systematic work on expanding vocabulary
- Improving listening and reading comprehension skills
- Exercises to practice oral and written expression
- Introduction to different forms of independent learning and working
- Work on cultural topics and aspects of intercultural knowledge
Learning Objectives:
After completing this course, students are able to
- understand the main statements and arguments of short, authentic written and spoken texts, including some detailed information, when the subject area is familiar and standard German is used;
- ake part in routine formal discussions, the purpose of which is to exchange information or discuss potential solutions to practical problems;
- express and explain personal views and opinions;
- prepare and carry out a short presentation on one of the topics discussed in the course and respond to questions;
- paraphrase short text passages orally or in writing and compose simple, coherent texts on familiar topics within their own fields of interest;
- put listening and reading strategies into practice and utilize appropriate resources (dictionaries, grammar knowledge).
Course Topics:
Studying in Berlin; life in Berlin; selected aspects of German history after 1945; nationality and belonging: multicultural societies
B1.1 (4 contact hours per week)
- 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
General Focus:
- Expansion upon and reinforcement of basic grammatical structures
- Systematic work on building vocabulary
- Improving listening and reading comprehension skills
- Exercises to practice oral and written expression
- Introduction to different forms of independent learning and working
- Reflection on experiences in Germany, Berlin, and at the university
Learning Objectives:
After completing this course, students are able to
- understand the main message of factual texts that have been adapted for the classroom, as well as of short texts taken from real-world contexts, and understand the line of reasoning throughout;
- understand the main points of a text containing familiar subject matter when it is spoken in a clearly articulated manner;
- take part in routine formal discussions on familiar topics, the purpose of which is to exchange information or discuss potential solutions to practical problems, provided clear, standard German is used; express, explain, and ask for personal views and opinions;
- paraphrase short text passages orally or in writing by using the wording and structure of the original text and compose simple, coherent texts on familiar topics within their own fields of interest;
- put listening and reading strategies into practice and utilize appropriate resources (online dictionaries, translation programs).
Course Topics:
Living and studying in Berlin; learning strategies and study backgrounds; living situation; travel experiences; developments in the world of work; personal happiness and future plans
B1.2 (4 contact hours per week)
- 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
General Focus:
- Revision of and expansion upon knowledge of basic grammatical structures
- Work on expanding vocabulary
- Improving reading and listening comprehension and students’ ability to express themselves orally and in writing
- Developing different forms of independent learning and working
- Work on cultural topics and aspects of intercultural knowledge
Learning Objectives:
After completing this course, students are able to
- skim through longer texts for specific information, combine information from multiple texts, and follow the line of reasoning and conclusions drawn in texts to a certain extent;
- understand uncomplicated information about familiar topics, recognizing main statements and individual pieces of information, and generally understand a line of reasoning about a current or familiar topic, provided the information is presented clearly and in a familiar accent;
- take part in discussions on familiar topics, express thoughts on abstract or cultural subjects, clarify their own point of view, and respond to the opinions of others;
- prepare and carry out a short presentation on a familiar topic in a clear, easy to follow manner;
- express their own opinion orally and in writing, and summarize information from multiple sources for others;
- put a range of listening and reading strategies into practice.
Course Topics:
Course A:
Studying in Berlin and at Freie Universität; German history after WWI; the “Golden Twenties” – culture and society in the Weimar Republic; immigration and emigration in Germany past and present; migration and integration
Course B:
Studying in Berlin; communication (media, language), coexistence (living situations and shared apartments); study and work; being socially active