The Campus for Language Proficiency offers German and English courses for students, THWS staff, and external participants. The interactive offers prepare participants for studies and supports their integration in Germany - and entails promising career perspectives.
Published on 25 November 2024
Language skills are becoming increasingly important in our globalised world, be it for a new job, intercultural exchange, or integration into a new country. At THWS, the Campus for Language Proficiency supports students and employees in developing the necessary language skills. Since 2016, they have been part of the Campus for Professional Development and Language Proficiency.
The offers of the Campus for Language Proficiency are primarily directed to students and study applicants. They can complete German and English courses in order to meet the language requirements of the degree programmes. The language courses can also serve as preparation for an internship, a TWIN Certificate or a semester abroad. The THWS courses cover the language levels A1 to C1. Eva Scholtyssek, deputy head of the Campus for Professional Development and Language Proficiency, emphasises how important good knowledge of the German language is especially for international students. "For an internship or working and living in Germany, the A2 German level does not suffice. This means learning the German language is an ongoing process for our international students until they complete higher education and beyond," she explains.
Important for internationalisation
The Campus for Language Proficiency plays a key role in THWS’ internationalisation strategy. "Internationalisation requires multilingualism," Scholtyssek emphasises. This is not only true for preparing international students for the German job market but also for preparing national students for a career in an international context. Kathrin Schmidt has completed a C1 English course and totally agrees. She has become more confident in speaking and is now better able to understand contexts and meetings with her international colleagues. "A language certificate is very valuable for your career as almost all companies demand fluency in English in their job ads," the student says hoping for her applications to make a positive impression. The best opportunity to take a language course was during studies.
The English courses are not only addressed at students but also at THWS employees. The courses are also open to external participants. On their website, the Campus for Language Proficiency publishes the new offers some months before the courses start. Registration is affected online, too. When trying to decide for the right course, prospective participants can receive advice or participate in a placement test. During the semester, the courses usually take place in the evening. In the semester break, courses are offered in the afternoon. That way, the courses are easily compatible with studying. Depending on the requirements and the situation, the courses are offered in person, online, or hybrid. The examinations take place in person in Würzburg or Schweinfurt.
Much time for self-study
At least six weekly hours per semester are required for a language course leading to the A2 level. In addition to regular participation in the course, the participants should allow for a lot of time for self-study, Scholtyssek emphasises. "Learning a new language is not limited to acquiring a new phonetic system and grammar. The participants are prepared for specific communication situations and are thus able to communicate appropriately outside the classroom," she explains. For this, there are E-Learning course rooms filled with learning material and useful links.
A language course comprises of all areas of competence - listening, reading, speaking, and writing. Depending on the type of course, for example, level courses or technical language courses, the topic focuses and competence areas differ slightly. "We particularly value practice-orientation in our language courses," says Scholtyssek. That is because participants need more in daily communication than mere grammar knowledge from exercises. A course concept with exceptional practice-orientation was developed within the frame of the "FIT - Promotion of international talents for integration into studies and the labour market"-programme by the German Academic Exchange Service. International students also have the opportunity to participate in complimentary work-focused German courses from C1-level. "The special characteristic is that we visit companies. So our students can directly apply their language skills on site," Scholtyssek explains.
Supporting integration
Students and study applicants currently pay EUR 285 per course, external participants pay EUR 489. Last year, more than 1,400 people registered for the courses. The courses are especially popular among those who really want to learn the target language. At first, many students would consider the A2 German course a nuisance necessary for taking up studies, Scholtyssek explains. However, over the course of their studies, they would quickly realise that learning the German language would benefit integration and improve if not create opportunities of an internship in the first place.
Participants give positive feedback regarding the courses. "The course structure, the group, and the lecturer were great," Kathrin Schmidt says "I learnt so much and still had a lot of fun. It was very well organised all the way." Another reason to choose the THWS language courses was the team of the Campus for Language Proficiency, Scholtyssek says. The lecturers had years of experience of foreign language teaching and some additionally brought practice experience from the industry, engineering, or the social sector. This was especially true for the technical language courses. Mary Halbig has taught English and German since 2020. The Campus for Language Proficiency offered her the chance to accompany the students on their way for a while, she says. She particularly remembers situations in which students who had made some negative experience with learning foreign languages came to her and thanked her for facilitating a different approach to the foreign language.
AI not a substitute for human communication
As a part of the Campus for Professional Development and Language Proficiency, the entire team of the Campus for Language Proficiency regularly participates in continuous training, workshops, network meetings, and symposiums. They also concern themselves with the topic of applying AI to foreign language teaching. Despite DeepL, ChatGTP, and others, learning foreign languages would still be important, Eva Scholtyssek emphasises. "I have witnessed teenagers standing next to each other and using translation apps on their phones because they did not share a language. This is not a long-term solution for living and working in a foreign country." She does not expect AI to replace human communication over the next decades. "Languages are a means of communication and open up new perspectives and views. Foreign language knowledge adds more facets, like cultural and societal aspects," Mary Halbig says emphasising the importance of foreign languages. "These young people should be enabled to effectively move in a globalised world – with a sense of empathy and understanding," says Halbig. "And this is made possible by the Campus for Language Proficiency."
