Course Levels and Placement
The courses offered by the Language Center correspond to the language competency levels as described in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for language learning.
The levels are sudivided into 1-3 course phases (depending on the target language). We offer placement tests in many languages during registration periods.
For our Foreign Language Courses, we recommend that you take advantage of our placement tests offered for English, French, Italian, Russian and Spanish.
Appointments for other languages can be organized upon request.
In a thorough 10-15 minute placement interview with one of our teachers, we will determine your language level and give you a written course recommendation.
The placement test costs EUR 10. If you register for a regular language course* within 6 months after the placement test, you will receive a reimbursement of the fee paid for the placement test. The credit can only be granted if you register in person at our office. You can chose the course level according to your need, the course language must be the same as the target language of the placement test.
*Exceptions are: Examination fees (e.g. language competence certificates) and conversation courses.
Please register via our booking system.
PLACEMENT TESTS
(latest booking by 3pm the day before)
1 Course level according to CEFR consits of 1-3 phases. The number of phases depends on the foreign language.
The test consists of a written and an oral part. Further information on the placement test procedures and a test invitation will be sent to you upon completion of the online booking.
You are required to take a placement test if:
- this is your first German course at the Language Center and you have prior knowledge of German (from A1/2).
- your last German course at the Language Center was more than a year ago.
- you have an ÖSD or Goethe certificate issued more than 12 months ago or with scores lower than 80% for each of the four language skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking).
1 CEFR-course level is subdivided in 2 phases. The phases marked with a plus are considered for review and consilidation and are not compulsory.
CEFR and Checklists for self-evaluation
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) represents the bedrock of curriculum development and guidelines, textbook selection and certificate issuance. It is due to CEFR recommendations that language acquisition, language usage and language competency in all its four skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking) become transparent and comparable.
The structure of the courses offered at the Language Center is aligned with the six levels of CEFR. The phase structure – whereby every course level of the German courses includes 2 phases, while most foreign language courses are divided into 3 phases – facilitates an even more precise allocation of participants to their respective levels.
The checklists serve as methodological instruments in the process of language acquisition. Their descriptors provide learners with a clearer synopsis of the skills they already possess in the language and of the goals they have yet to achieve. This conveys transparency to the learning process and puts course participants in charge of their own learning progress.
The checklists can be used by learners for self-evaluation purposes.
A1 Level Description
For participants with no or very little previous knowledge.
Content: reading and listening comprehension of simple texts; giving basic personal information; establishing contacts with others; taking part in simple conversations; acquiring fundamental vocabulary and learning basic grammar structures that enable unsophisticated spoken and written communication in everyday situations.
To achieve this level, one to three course phases (A1-phase 1, A1-phase 2, and A1-phase 3) and extended self-guided learning phases are necessary.
A2 Level Description
Content: communication in familiar, everyday situations; reading and listening comprehension of the core message of texts involving topics and requirements of everyday life and familiar situations; writing simple texts about familiar topics and personal interests.
To achieve this level, one to three course phases (A2-phase 1, A2-phase 2, and A2-phase 3) and extended self-guided learning phases are necessary.
B1 Level Description
Content: communication on general topics; means of verbal expression for more complex conversation; writing of unsophisticated official documents; comprehension of core statements of general interest radio or television broadcasts; command of basic vocabulary on general topics.
To achieve this level, one to three course phases (B1-phase 1, B1-phase 2, and B1-phase 3) and extended self-guided learning phases are necessary.
B2 Level Description
Content: further development of reading and listening strategies for enhanced comprehension of complex texts on abstract and concrete topics; boosting vocabulary for clear and adequate action and reaction in written and spoken communication on a wide spectrum of subject matters.
To achieve this level, one to three course phases (B2-phase 1, B2-phase 2, and B2-phase 3) and extended self-guided learning phases are necessary.
C1 Level Description
Content: enhancement of written and spoken instruments of communication, thus enabling effective and flexible use of the language within the realm of public/professional life and/or in education and studies. Work with demanding written and audio materials from different media, discussions, drafting detailed and explicit written statements and comments on complex topics.
To achieve this level, up to three course phases (C1-phase 1, C1-phase 2, and C1-phase 3) and extended self-guided learning phases are necessary.
C2 Level Description
Content: honing of written and spoken expression for spontaneous, fluent and to a large extent correct enunciation in the context of discussions and presentations. Focus on complex literary, scientific and geo-political texts (both written and audio) for enhanced comprehension and expression of fine nuances.
To achieve this level, up to three course phases (C2-phase 1, C2-phase 2, and C2-phase 3) and extended self-guided learning phases are necessary.
Additionally, we recommend modules treating special topics, i.e. covering Business German or other technical terms.
