Language courses in German and French, August 2023

Language courses in German and French are now being offered to students going abroad on an exchange programme or internship in the academic year 2023/2024. The courses run over three weeks in August 2023 and take place at South Campus from 9.00-13.00 each day. In case of small groups, we might concentrate the teaching on fewer days.

The courses are free for students who are enrolled at the University of Copenhagen and fulfil the admission requirements. After the course, there will be an online follow-up session during your stay abroad and a final rounding-off session after you return to Copenhagen.

General information about the language courses

As part of students’ preparation for studying and doing internships abroad, the University of Copenhagen is offering intensive language courses in German and French.

The courses will be taught by language instructors affiliated with the Centre for Internationalisation and Parallel Language Use (CIP).

If there are enough registrations, each course will be split into two levels (intermediate/upper-intermediate).

A minimum level of A2 on the CEFR scale is required to participate in these courses, so they are not aimed at beginners. When you register, you will be asked to indicate your language level by completing a language self-evaluation.

Course content

Both the German and French courses consist of 60 hours of teaching spread over three weeks. These are therefore very intensive courses, enabling participants to progress rapidly in their chosen language. With four hours of teaching and four hours of self-study and preparation each day, the courses are designed to give you a head start in enhancing your language skills for your stay abroad.
In January, the courses will consist of a number of themed workshops. more information will follow during autumn 2023. If you prefer to participate in a longer, uninterrupted course, you should sign up for the course in Autumn.

The courses require a basic knowledge of French or German at a minimum level of A2 on the CEFR scale, which means that you to a certain extent can understand, speak and write the language, although you may be a little rusty.

The courses focus on communicative competences and strategies to use when you’re studying or working abroad and include lectures on academic culture and intercultural communicative skills. In addition, the courses aim to refresh and upgrade your grammar, reading and listening comprehension and speaking skills. There will also be some written exercises, in the form of e.g. writing short emails, taking notes, etc.

The emphasis is very much on the day-to-day communication you will need during your stay abroad. This means that when you are abroad, you will be able to take part in simple conversations, group work and other joint projects, and will be able to understand and give short presentations and read and write short texts in either German or French. 

We expect to run both the German and French courses at two levels, intermediate and upper-intermediate. You will be assigned to the class at the right language level for you according to the language self-evaluation that you complete when you register for the course.

Time and place

Classes will take place Monday through Friday for three weeks during August 2023 at South Campus. Room number tba.

• French: Begins 31 July and runs Monday-Friday weeks 31-32-33 from 9:00 to 13:00 (both levels)
• German: Begins 14 August and runs Monday-Friday weeks 33-34-35 from 9:00 to 13:00 (both levels)

Please note that in case of small groups, we might plan the teaching on fewer days and with more lessons per day. 

Application deadline

You can register for the language course in German or French by completing our online registration form, Wednesday 21 June 2023.

Find more information on the registration and admission requirements before your register.