The placement test is mandatory for all students who have prior knowledge of the language of instruction and have not completed a previous language course at the ZEMS in that language in the last year. That’s how everyone learns best.

The placement test allows you to learn with other students who are at a similar level.

Once per semester.

After completing the placement test, the points and the level will be displayed. If the level achieved is not displayed or any technical problems should occur, please contact info(at)zems.tu-berlin.de.

If you have prior knowledge of the language and have not taken a course in that language at the ZEMS before, you are required to take a placement test before registering. If you have finished a course at ZEMS during the past year with a grade between 1,0 and 2,7 you can register for the next level without taking a placement test. On the website area of your chosen language, you will find all offered levels and courses. .Click on the button "book now" for the desired language course (this button will only be activated on the registration date!). If the course is fully booked, the button "waiting list" will appear. Clicking there will put your name on a waiting list and you will be notified by e-mail if a place becomes free. If you still are interested, please register as soon as possible as all registrations are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. You will receive a confirmation e-mail upon successful registration.You haven’t got a confirmation mail? Please check your spam folder as well.

Moodle and ISIS are two separate systems and not synchronised. To access your course platform, log in with your TUB account at moodle.zems.tu-berlin.de.

Due to high demand, we recommend that you register promptly at the time announced on the ZEMS website in order to get a place. If unsuccessful, you can elect to be placed on a waiting list and will automatically receive an e-mail as soon as a place becomes available. If you still are interested, please register as soon as possible.

No. If you have prior knowledge of the language you wish to learn, you must take the placement test. Students whose placement results differ by two or more levels from the required entry level cannot participate in the course. In this case, it is essential that you contact the administrative office of the ZEMS to cancel the course.

Please note that fee regulations apply.

In the first meeting you will be asked to present the result of the placement test or the certificate of your last course at ZEMS. So please book a course that corresponds to your language level.

Most groups comprise between 15 and 22 students. In certain cases, class sizes may vary.

You may enrol in two language courses in two different languages per semester. Demand is high and waiting lists long. In exceptional cases, more than two bookings may be possible. All enquiries should be addressed to: mediothek@zems.tu-berlin.de

Pre-semester German courses are aimed at students beginning their studies in the coming semester as part of a scholarship program.

Registration takes place through our website.

All levels are offered, so you do not need a specific level. In accordance with the ERASMUS agreements of the TU Berlin and partner universities, Erasmus students may enrol in level B1 or above.

Unfortunately, no. After a placement test, all participants are divided into groups according to level, and assigned to either a morning or afternoon class.

If you regularly attend the course (at least 80%) and complete all examination-equivalent tasks, you will receive a certificate and 6 ECTS for the course.

Priority is given to students of the TU Berlin. Online classes are reserved for T.U. students. Non-TU students and externals may only participate in in-person classes if there is a free place. You may send a brief email to sekretariat(at)zems.tu-berlin.de from 04/17/2023 nominating your chosen course. If there happens to be a free place, staff members of the TU Berlin as well as guest and external students may also participate. See the regulation terms.

The evening courses “German for Academic and Professional Purposes” are aimed at doctoral students and international postdocs of TU Berlin, but can also be booked by externals.

Payment of the participation fees is made by direct debit approximately one week after course begin. Courses can, as a rule, only be booked in their entirety, not by the hour. In the case of incorrect account information or insufficient funds in an account, the student must bear all costs incurred. If a course is undersubscribed and does not take place, course fees will not be booked. Questions regarding payment should be addressed to Ms. Borowski (borowski@zems.tu-berlin.de).

Cancellation can be made by email (sekretariat@zems.tu-berlin.de) within 7 days of course begin (for intensive courses within 2 days). A cancellation fee of € 5.00 will apply.

No refunds will be given for cancellations after the deadline.

Please keep other interested students in mind: Only if you cancel in time, another person can take your place - and you save the course fee.

Changes are only possible if there are still places available in the alternative course. Inform your teacher first. Any subsequent changes can only be made formally via sekretariat@zems.tu-berlin.de.

Unfortunately, no. For the intensive language courses, you will receive a payment request after registration with a payment deadline that must be met.

Cancellation is possible up to 3 days before the appointment. Please send a e-mail to sekretariat(at)zems.tu-berlin.de. Cancellations are only possible in writing. The fees will be refunded minus the cancellation fee of € 5.00 if the cancellation is made within the deadline. No refund of the fee will be made for cancellations after the deadline.