Intensive German Courses in September
Here you will find information about our Intensive German Courses in September, registration and cancellation, language levels, certificates and other organisational matters.
General Information
The Intensive German Courses are three-week intensive courses in German as a foreign language, offered every September.
The focus is on intensive language acquisition within a short period of time.
The courses are aimed at adults and are specifically tailored to the needs of experienced adult learners.
They are characterised by high academic standards and rapid progress.
Anyone aged 17 or over who is interested is welcome to join.
Anyone aged 17 or over is welcome to take part in the Intensive Courses.
You do not need to be a member of the University of Innsbruck.
The Intensive German Courses last three weeks and take place during the last three weeks of September.
Lessons are held from Monday to Friday, 9.00-12.30, and include a 30-minute break.
In our courses, you will practice all the key language skills in a targeted manner: listening, reading, writing and speaking.
On average, there are around 18 people in each course.
To ensure active participation and provide intensive support, the number of participants is limited to a maximum of 23.
Yes. Our courses run with a minimum of 11 participants.
Language teaching at the Language Centre is based on clearly defined quality and teaching standards. The key features are:
Teaching approach
- Standardised and transparent learning objectives and content
- Research-based language teaching
- Alignment with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
- Balanced development of the four skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking
Course design
- Authentic and real-life communication situations
- Interactive lessons with active participation from learners
- Teaching methods tailored to specific learner groups
- Teaching of cultural contexts as an integral part of language teaching
Performance & Quality
- Competent instructors
- Steep learning progression with high learning standards
- Transparent course requirements and comprehensible assessment
- An examination culture based on constructive feedback
Yes. Systematic quality assurance is a key priority for the Language Centre and plays a significant role in ensuring high levels of participant satisfaction.
This is underpinned by binding guidelines, the implementation of which is regularly reviewed.
This includes, amongst other things, regular course evaluations, in which participants’ feedback is specifically incorporated into the further development of the course programme.
The courses at the Language Centre are taught by dedicated, academically qualified instructors with several years’ teaching experience and a high level of teaching expertise.
The Intensive German Courses are based on a clearly structured, pedagogically sound teaching concept.
The lessons develop all four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking – in a balanced manner. The learning objectives and content are aligned with the proficiency levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Given the target group, the courses are characterised by high academic demands and a steep learning curve. Lessons are designed to be interactive.
By simulating realistic communication situations, participants are specifically prepared to apply what they have learnt in everyday life.
The language teaching is also research-led: the latest specialist and pedagogical findings are continuously incorporated into lesson planning.
The following levels are offered in the Intensive German Courses:
A1, A2, B1 and B2.
The courses are based on the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). For a more precise gradation, some of the individual levels are further subdivided into ‘Plus’ levels.
By the end of a course, you should have reached the language level indicated in brackets in the course title.
To help you find the right level and the right Intensive German Course, the following options are available:
1. Online placement test
We offer an online placement test for German as a foreign language.
The test covers reading comprehension, listening comprehension, grammar and vocabulary, and is structured progressively – it begins with simple tasks and becomes increasingly challenging.
Once you have submitted the test, you will receive an evaluation of your results and a course recommendation.
Go to the online German placement test
2. Course descriptions
The relevant course description will also help you make your choice.
Pay particular attention to the learning content and learning objectives listed in the course details.
These are based on the descriptions in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
3. Self-assessment with checklists
You can also assess your language skills using self-assessment checklists:
- Checklist levels partly A1 and A1
- Checklist levels A1+ and A2
- Checklist levels A2+ and B1
- Checklist levels B1+ and B2
- Checklist levels B2+ and C1
- Checklist levels C1+ and C2
No. The online placement test is not a prerequisite for taking part in the Intensive German Courses.
However, it is recommended as it helps you find the right course level.
Formal proof of your German language skills is not required.
Yes. You can change courses during the first two days of the course.
Please discuss this with your course instructor.
You can find information about the textbooks used in the course details for each course.
No. The textbooks are not included in the course fees and must be purchased separately.
You can buy the textbooks at Studia (Innrain 52f, 6020 Innsbruck), for example, or at any bookshop.
Please make sure you have the textbooks before the first class so that you can follow along from the start.
Course Requirements for Language Courses
Yes. There is a final exam as part of the Intensive German Courses.
The exam takes place on the Thursday before the last day of the course.
There is a final test at the end of each course.
The exam assesses listening, reading, writing and speaking skills.
The final exam consists of a written and an oral section.
Written section:
- Listening comprehension
- Reading comprehension
- Writing
Oral section:
- Speaking
All four skills are weighted equally. To pass, each section must be passed.
A section of the exam is considered passed if a score of 60 per cent or higher is achieved.
The Language Centre’s approach to assessment is also based on a culture of feedback. Standardised assessment criteria form the basis for individual feedback on each section, thereby providing support for your personal learning process.
No. The exam date is set by the course instructor for the entire group.
It is therefore not possible to retake the exam or individual parts of it on a different date.
No. It is not possible to retake the exam or individual parts of it.
The final exam consists of a written and an oral section.
Written exam (listening comprehension, reading comprehension, writing)
- Duration: 90 minutes
- For levels A1 and A2: 60-90 minutes
Oral exam (speaking/ participation in conversations)
- Duration: approx. 10 minutes per pair or group
Scope
- There are 1-3 tasks per skill.
You will receive 3 ECTS credits for a three-week Intensive German Course.
To qualify, you must have sufficient attendance (80 per cent) and pass the final exam.
The decision on the recognition of ECTS credits and course results is made by the university where you are studying.
Please check with them in advance to see whether certificates issued by the University of Innsbruck’s Language Centre are recognised.
In addition to class time, you should allow time for homework, as well as for preparing for and reviewing lessons and revising for exams.
Yes. Homework is usually set.
Yes. You will receive a course certificate if you attend at least 80 per cent of the lessons and sit the final exam.
Students of the University of Innsbruck
can view and print their course certificate via LFU:online.
External participants and employees of the University of Innsbruck
will receive their course certificate in digital form by e-mail.
The decision on whether your course certificate is recognised is made by the institution to which you wish to submit it.
Please check with them in advance.
Yes. We would be happy to issue you with a duplicate.
Please contact us by e-mail.
Yes. We would be happy to issue a certificate of attendance.
This is subject to you attending at least 70 per cent of the lessons.
Please contact us by e-mail to arrange this.
No. Attendance is not mandatory.
Please note, however, that you will only receive a course certificate if you attend at least 80 per cent of the lessons and sit the final exam.
Yes. You will receive a certificate of attendance if you have attended at least 70 per cent of the lessons.
It is not necessary to take the exam to receive this.
Course Registration and Withdrawal, General Terms and Conditions
Registration is open from 1 July until shortly before the course starts – provided there are still places available.
You can register online or in person at the Language Centre office.
You can book your language course at the Language Centre online via course programme and pay directly.
Payment can be made by credit card, online banking or PayPal.
- Students and employees of the University of Innsbruck
log in with their user name and e-mail password. - External language students
must register once at LFU:online before using the online registration and payment.
To register in person, please bring a completed registration form with you.
You can pay the course fee in cash, by debit card or by credit card.
Online registration
If you register online, you will automatically receive a confirmation of registration and payment as soon as the course fee has been paid.
Registration at the course office
If you register in person at the course office, you will receive your confirmation of registration and payment on the spot.
Places on the course are allocated on a “first come, first served” basis.
There is no waiting list.
Should a place become available, this will be shown on our website. In that case, you can register directly.
The General Terms and Conditions (GTC) are available to download here.
You can see the course fee listed directly next to the course you’re interested in.
The course fee is due at the time of registration.
Online Registration
When registering online, you pay the course fee directly during the registration process via credit card, online banking, or PayPal.
Registration at the Course Office
When registering in person at the Course Office, you can pay the course fee in cash, by debit card, or by credit card.
The “Bildungsgeld update” is a grant offered by the Office of the Tyrolean Regional Government. For German courses marked as eligible on our website, you can apply for a grant covering up to 30 per cent of the course fees.
The grant is intended, among others, for working individuals (including working students) who
- have been employed for at least six months and
- have their primary residence in Tyrol.
You can find all information about the “Bildungsgeld update” and the application process on the website of the Tyrolean regional government.
If you wish to cancel your course booking, please send us an e-mail.
Online booking
For online registrations, the 14-day Right of Withdrawal applies.
To exercise your right of withdrawal, please send us an e-mail and/or the completed withdrawal form attached to your confirmation of registration.
Booking at the course office
For in-person registrations, the cancellation terms set out in the General Terms and Conditions (GTC) apply.
- Up to one week before the course starts: refund of the course fee minus a 25 per cent administration fee
- After that: no refund possible
The refund will be paid by bank transfer to your bank account.
Please provide us with your bank details:
- Bank name
- IBAN
- BIC
- Account holder’s name
In exceptional cases, a course may be cancelled due to an insufficient number of participants.
In this event, we will notify you in good time by e-mail and will endeavour to find a solution, such as transferring you to an alternative course.
Should no suitable alternative course be available, any course fees already paid will, of course, be refunded in full.
As a general rule, we assume that courses will take place as planned.
You will only be notified by e-mail if a course has to be cancelled due to an insufficient number of participants.
If a course has to be cancelled by the Language Centre, you will receive a full refund of the course fees you have already paid.
The refund will be made by bank transfer to the bank account you have provided.
In exceptional circumstances, there may be changes to the course instructor, teaching materials or class room.
In this case, we will inform you in good time by e-mail.
Additional Information
No. Unfortunately, the Language Centre does not arrange accommodation.
We recommend that you arrange your own accommodation well in advance.
Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality and the length of your stay.
Please check with the Austrian Embassy or Consulate in your home country.