Uni-Tübingen

Beginner's German

Get started with German! Welcome to the German language program of the University's German as a Foreign Language Unit for Ph.D. students and researchers.

We'd like to help you get acquainted with German and feel comfortable in German language conversations at the university and in everyday life.

Intensive Course for international researchers in September 2026

Course Description

Would you like to start learning German, but have a very packed schedule? This intensive course could be a perfect solution. In three intense weeks, you will complete a sub-level. Small group sizes ensure close support and fast individual progress.

Course dates: September 14th - October 2nd, 2026

Participants: This course is designed for PostDocs, researchers, professors and their spouses

Intensity: 5 days / week, MO-FRI from 9:00 - 12:30. 

Classes/levels: We are planning a class for complete beginners (Level A1.1) and a also class for beginners with approx. 60 hours of German (Level A1.2) - provided that there are enough registrations. You will complete a sub-level in this course, which is equivalent to a semester course.

Course fee: 280,- € 

Registration period: July 1st until July 14th, 2026. The registration form will be available on this page. Allocation of places will be on a first come, first served basis.

Location: on site, the classrooms are located at Wilhelmstraße 22

Textbook: Kurs DaF A1 (Klett).

Course Registration & Placement Test

Registration for the intensive course for researchers in September 2026 will be open from July 1st through July 14th, 2026. If you have any questions, please email to: german4researchers@daf.uni-tuebingen.de.

If you are a complete beginner (A1.1), skip step 1 and directly proceed to step 2. If you are a beginner with some previous knowledge (A1.2), start with step 1 (placement test). If your current language level is higher, we unfortunately do not offer an intensive course in September. You can join our Early Bird and Evening Classes in the winter semester.

4 Steps to Registration:

Step 1 Take the placement test and save your score (f.ex. by taking a screenshot). Enter the password, and then follow the instructions. Duration of the test: 45 minutes. Please note: The test will start immediately after you have entered the password. You can only take the test once! Password: German24

Skip this step if you are a complete beginner.

Step 2 Fill in the online application form. The form will be open from July 1st through July 14th, 2026.

Step 3 Wait for a message via email from us. We will let you know if we can offer you a place, after we have reviewed all applications (by July 17th). The email will include detailed payment information. Make your payment (280,00 €) right away to secure your place. We will not confirm your payment - you are all set.

Step 4 Your teacher will contact you with details for your first meeting in class, shortly before classes begin.

Please note: If you withdraw from the course, we will refund the course fee minus a processing fee of 10 €. We will not refund the course fee if you withdraw after Monday, August 31st, 2026!

Early Bird and Evening Classes - semester courses on levels A1.1 - B1.2

Course Description and classes

These courses for beginners cover all aspects of German needed for basic communication routines and familiarize with the distinctive structures of the language. Our classes (including the online classes!) are communication-oriented and encourage active participation.  

You can choose between

  • our Early Bird courses (two times per week, 8.15-9.45h)
  • or the Evening Classes (two times per week, 18.15-19.45h)

during the complete semester. (Summer term: April through July, Winter term: October through February)

Classes are available at a range of levels starting from complete beginners (A1.1) up to intermediate level (B1.2).   

We have both classes that take place digitally on Zoom and face-to-face-only classes. Please find our courses in the summer term 2026 here!  

Please note: successful course participation requires regular attendance (2x week) and additional preparation time  / homework assignments. You should calculate about 6 hours for all together (course + homework). Please make sure that you really have enough available time! 

Textbook: Kurs DaF A1 / A2 / B1 (Klett).

Course Registration & Placement Test

Registration for the 2026 summer semester is closed. Registration for the 2026/27 winter semester will open in September 20206. If you have any questions, please email to: german4researchers@daf.uni-tuebingen.de.

4 Steps to Registration:

Step 1 Take the placement test at your current level and save your score (f.ex. by taking a screenshot). The test links are now available below.

This test is obligatory for the Early Bird and Evening Classes – unless you are a complete beginner (= level A1.1). Please do not be tempted to use aids like a dictionary etc! Its important to find the class that fits your actual language skills.

Please choose the test that corresponds to your level. Enter the password, and then follow the instructions. Duration of the test: 45 minutes (Test 1 and 2), or 60 minutes (Test 3). Please note: The test will start immediately after you have entered the password. You can only take the test once!

Test 1 (if you are aiming for a class on the level A1.2 or A2.1; previous knowledge 60 - 120 hours of German). Password: German24

Test 2 (if you are aiming for a class on the level A2.2 or B1.1; previous knowledge 120 - 240 hours of German). Password: German24

Test 3 (if you are aiming for a class on the level B1.2; previous knowledge > 240 hours of German). Password: German24

Step 2 Fill in the online application form. The form is closed. If you have any questions, please email to german4researchers@daf.uni-tuebingen.de.

Step 3 After we have reviewed all applications, you will receive a message via email to let you know if we can offer you a place at your level, including detailed information for making your payment (80 € course fee for Master Students & 150,00 € for everyone else). Make your payment right away to secure your place. We will not confirm your payment - you are all set.

Step 4 Your teachers will contact you with details for your first meeting in class, shortly before classes begin.

Please note: If you withdraw from the course, we will retain a processing fee of 10 €. We will not refund the course fee if you withdraw after Tuesday, April 14, 2026!

Kompetenztraining Deutsch B1 für den Beruf

Kursbeschreibung und Termine

Viele internationale Studierende und PhDs interessieren sich dafür, in Deutschland zu arbeiten. Das kann ein Praktikum sein, ein Job neben dem Studium oder eine Arbeitsstelle nach dem Studium. Deshalb bieten wir in diesem Kurs die Möglichkeit, in kleinen Gruppen Ihren deutschen Wortschatz zum Thema Beruf und Arbeit zu erweitern. Wir üben Gesprächssituationen für den beruflichen Alltag in Deutschland, zum Beispiel Telefonate und Gespräche bei der Suche nach einem Job, oder Besprechungen mit den Kollegen. Wir wollen außerdem gemeinsam Textsorten wie Bewerbungsunterlagen, Anschreiben, Arbeitszeugnisse besprechen und uns ausführlich über die schriftliche Kommunikation im Beruf austauschen. 

Dieser Kurs hilft Ihnen, sich auf die berufliche Praxis vorzubereiten und sich beim Deutschsprechen im Kontext von Jobs, Arbeit und Praktikum sicherer zu fühlen.  

Haben Sie Wünsche und Ideen zu diesem Kurs, die Sie uns gerne mitteilen möchten?
Bitte hier eintragen: Deutsch für den Beruf-365days | Etherpad

Termine:  4 x samstags von 9:00 bis 12:15 Uhr (25. April, 16. Mai, 13. Juni, 11. Juli) 

Dozentin: Irmela Franjkovic

Anmeldung

Die Anmeldung ist offen bis spätestens 15. April 2026 direkt im Anmeldeformular.