Learning German in two years at the TUM Language Center - Interview with Fadi El Eid
"The photo was taken in the fall of 2023 and shows the Zugspitze, the highest mountain in Germany, as well as one of the country's most beautiful natural wonders - the Eibsee. The Zugspitze is, in my opinion, one of the most important unofficial symbols of Germany that anyone who starts to learn the German language and culture gets to know. It is also a very important place for Bavaria. When the weather is nice, it's even possible to see the mountain from the terrace on TUM's main campus."
German
If you live and study in Munich, German language skills are essential for everyday life and integration – whether at university, in professional contexts, or in your private life. In our courses and workshops in German as a Foreign Language you can improve your German language skills – whether you are a beginner or arrived at the TUM with some knowledge of German.
We offer courses at all levels of the Common Framework of Reference (CEFR) as well as trainings, workshops and one-off seminars on special topics. Courses covering half a level, i.e. A1.1 comprise 2-4 contact hours per week. Plus-Courses covering an entire level, i.e. A1.1 plus A1.2 comprise 6 contact hours per week and are recommended only for students with very good previous knowledge and a lot of time for learning German.
ECTS credits are awarded according to the number of contact hours per week:
- Courses with 6 contact hours ⇒ 8 ECTS
- Courses with 4 contact hours ⇒ 6 ECTS
- Courses with 3 contact hours ⇒ 4 ECTS
- Courses with 2 contact hours ⇒ 3 ECTS
Usually there are no ECTS credits for trainings, workshops and one-off seminars.
Compact courses last only 8-10 weeks, but have more classes per week. Many of them start later in the semester and therefore have later registration deadlines.
International students in some English taught master’s programs have to provide proof of a basic command of the German language. Make sure you check first with your department about what will be accepted as "integrative German language skills". An exam in German A1.1, A1.2 or A1.1plus A1.2, among others, can be considered as integrative language proof.
Please note: We do not offer preparatory courses for the Studienkolleg or tests to confirm sufficient German language skills to register at a German university (e.g. TestDaF, DSH).
During the lecture-free period in March, September and October, intensive courses and trainings take place. They last between one and five weeks.
Current dates and registration deadlines can be found on our homepage.
Please note: The intensive courses in October and March belong to the winter semester, the intensive courses in September belong to the summer semester. You may have to change the semester filter in TUMonline.
As future engineers, you can prepare yourself for the German labor market in this program. You will acquire technical language, job-related and intercultural skills. You can apply for the program using a separate form. More information about "German for Engineers"
In this program, master's students of the TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology can study German intensively for three semesters in exclusive courses at levels A1.2 to B1.1. The application runs via a separate form each semester. More information about German Matters
You can find a complete overview of our course program in TUMonline.
International TUM doctoral candidates, staff, visiting scholars and postdocs can learn German in our eight-week evening courses. The application runs via a separate form for each course cycle. More information about "German for Reseachers"
Organized via the MDCO, newly appointed international professors receive a sound introduction to the German language and culture with German language coaching.
Would you like to make contact with other TUM students or employees and at the same time improve your language skills in a flexible and practical way? At TUMtandem we will find a tandem partner for you within TUM and support your joint learning process. More information on TUMtandem
If you need a language certificate in order to apply for a scholarship or to present it to the authorities, please contact sprachenzentrum(at)tum.de (Subject: German Certificate).
The Virtual University of Bavaria (vhb) offers online language courses for German as a foreign language. The courses can be a useful supplement to the DaF courses at TUM. They are especially recommended if you do not need to earn ECTS. All courses at vhb are free of charge for TUM students and registration is done with the TUM ID.
More detailed information about the courses can be found in the course descriptions.
- In the courses "German for study and work“(levels A1 to C2 according to the CEFR) you will improve your language skills for study, work and everyday life. More information
- Course 1 "Survival German" is designed for learners who have no or very little knowledge of German and would like to improve it. More information
- Registration: In the office (www.dkfa.de) or online at https: https://www.dkfa.de/en/online-registration/
Contact
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