Study and research in Germany

Language Requirements for University Courses and Exams

• In lectures
• In exercise courses, seminars, practical courses
• In final examinations

In lectures

In lectures, the teacher stands at the front and speaks to the students. First of all, this means that students are expected to be able to understand what is being said (listening comprehension). But it's just as important to make notes, so that what has been heard in the lecture can later be studied and revised at home. But reading understanding is also important, because in most cases a reading list is handed out at the start of the semester to help students prepare and later revise the lecture.

In the natural sciences, lecture notes (so-called Skripte) are often offered which can be bought from the lecturers or from the secretariat (students' office). These contain an abridged version of the key points of the lecture.

As a rule, it is not common for any discussion to take place between teachers and students in lectures. However, sometimes there is an opportunity for questions to be asked at the end of the lecture.

In exercise courses, seminars, practical courses

Exercise courses, seminars and practical courses mainly involve oral communication. Talks and discussions are held between lecturers and students and between the students themselves. But these courses also have to be prepared by reading the relevant literature – so reading understanding skills are also required.

Please remember that students have to produce a written paper during or at the end of such a course. Without such a paper, they will be unable to get a credit (Schein). And without such a credit, it will not be possible to recognise their study achievement.

Depending on the subject in question and the type of course, this paper may be an invigilated exam (i.e. a written examination at the university) or a home assignment. In natural sciences and engineering subjects, protocols, descriptions of experiments, practical reports or similar papers may be required.

This is why it is important for this kind of course that students are able to write independently about a topic.

It is also important to make notes on talks, discussions or papers presented during the seminar or exercise course in order later to be able to study and revise the content.

In some cases, these kinds of courses are also completed with an oral examination. Here – as already during the course – it is important that you can talk about the course topic.

In final examinations

During the final examination taken at the end of the studies, students have to prepare a thesis or take one or several invigilated exams and/or oral exams.

This again calls for a variety of skills (as already required in the various kinds of courses).

• Africa Sub-Sahara
• Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Oceania
• Central and Eastern Europe
• Latin America
• North America
• Northern Africa and the Middle East
• Western Europe