Language Centre
Welcome

In 1974 the University of Heidelberg founded its own Language Centre (Zentrales Sprachlabor). The aim of the university was to offer students the possibility both to deepen their existing language competence and to acquire knowledge of new languages. Since then the Centre has offered students of any university faculty the opportunity to study a wide range of foreign languages.

The Language Centre offers courses on three levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced.

the Beginner Level is oriented towards general language skills and requires 16 semester hours. After successfully completing written and oral tests, students are awarded a language reference.

the Intermediate Level is intended as a bridging course and has 4 semester hours per week. The successful completion of this level will allow students to join the advanced level classes. These courses are seen as providing good preparation for students who later wish to take the Language Certificate.

the Advanced Level courses are all Landeskunde or topic-based in orientation. All courses therefore last for at least 8 semester hours. Courses on this level are divided into two types: Type I (listening comprehension and speaking) and Type II (reading comprehension and writing).

Advanced courses are offered in three primary areas:

• Cultural Studies
• Medicine and Natural Sciences
• Business and Law

The respective seminars offer both general and more specific language courses. While the increasing popularity of these courses frequently means that they attract many students, this is also an indication of how the courses supplement students' main studies. After successfully completing the written and oral courses students can obtain the University Language Certificate.

In addition to language courses, the Language Centre regularly provides certificates and references of language competence. Students applying for scholarships for foreign study can obtain a Language Reference (which confirms a general language level) or a Language Certificate (which confirms a more specific language competence that is based on a good knowledge of the target language). Both awards are based on the successful completion of written and oral tests.

In addition to the semester programme, the ZSL offers Intensive Courses. The successful completion of these courses allows students to enrol on further studies during the following semester.

To acquire more information about the registration process for these courses, click on the page, "What you should know about us".

All students have the opportunity to use the self-study facilities in the Mediothek, located in Room 22 on the ground floor of the ZSL. The facilities include a large collection of foreign language books, video and cassette tapes.

As well as housing these facilities, the ZSL aslo includes sections for Speech Science and Speech Education.

EDV-Beauftragter: Franz Lambert  -  letzte Änderung 18.02.2004