German Language Programs – Part II

May 15, 2025

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This two-part blog series discusses two very different types: language proficiency tests after completing a language training program and summer school language immersion programs taken through German higher education institutions.

If you missed the previous post, you can check it out here.

In our previous blog post about German language programs, we focused on some of the standardized examinations that students, German and international, may take as part of their educational background. Today’s post focuses on summer school language immersion programs taken through German higher education institutions. These programs are typically geared towards non-Germans and may vary by institution.

While many language and culture programs are offered by private training providers, such as Semester at Sea or IES Abroad, this post focuses on language programs at German higher education institutions that also offer academic programs leading to German qualifications and degrees.

Admissions varies, though most German language programs are only open to adults until they also offer programs specifically oriented to high school students. Some German higher education institutions require no existing German language skills or placement examination for summer language programs, while others expect students to already have basic German knowledge and may require proof in the form of standardized tests or prior study.

Programs may be open to students to apply individually or may require a study abroad or exchange agreement with the students’ home university. At some institutions, students enrolled in German language immersion courses may also be eligible to enroll in one credit-bearing academic subject taught in English at the institution.

Deutsch als Fremdsprache/DaF (German as a Foreign Language) programs are typically offered by language departments or international offices of universities and other higher education institutions and are open to people of all backgrounds, while others are focused more on students in specific academic majors.

Foreign language international summer courses vary by institution, but many of them are modeled on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). As mentioned previously, the CEFR organizes language proficiency from A1 to C2, where basic users are at levels A2 (beginner) and A2 (pre-intermediate), independent users are B1(intermediate) and B2 (upper intermediate), and proficient users are at C1(advanced) and C2 (mastery). Because these levels are well established throughout European language use, many summer school programs also name their courses by these same levels.

These immersion courses typically last 3-6 weeks each per level, depending on the level of study and the institution in which a student was enrolled. Some institutions offer 8-10 week programs that encompass more than one level. Class sizes, usually 10-18 students, are usually kept small, and students typically complete 15-25 hours of language lessons per week.

Many institutions will issue formal transcripts while others provide only a certificate of attendance or performance. Academic transcripts from language programs at higher education institutions tend to culminate in anywhere from 4 and 9 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits each per level. It is common for institutions to award 1 ECTS credit per week, but it varies.

These ECTS credits are typically not transferable to a degree program at the same higher education institution. However, these ECTS credits are often accepted by higher education institutions worldwide as study abroad or exchange credit in German language.

Intensive, immersive German as a Foreign Language courses are offered on a range of levels from A to C, and possibly D. Courses A-C focus on German language, with some regional studies, at increasingly complex levels. Some institutions also offer another option, Course D, which incorporates German language and culture as well as regional studies. Course D is far more variable by institution since there is no corresponding external examination level.

Even though many German summer school language programs follow the naming convention of the CEFR levels, the school-issued transcripts or certificates are not formal representations of the CEFR levels. They merely show relative success at corresponding levels of German language. The transcript or certificate issued by the German higher education institution is not a substitute for external language tests, such as the CEFR, the DSH, which was described in the previous post, or Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache/TestDaF (German as a Foreign Language Test).

The TestDaF is the primary German language proficiency examination for international students. Prospective students who wish to enroll in German-language degree programs may be required to take the TestDaF. Since this is typically an admissions requirement for German institutions, the TestDaF is beyond the scope of this blog post, though some information has been included in the Resources.

The most common language courses at German higher education institutions are titled Courses A (or A1 and A2), B (B1 and B2), and C (C1 and C2) to align with CEFR levels of the same names.

While German language, culture, and regional studies is the primary focus, most institutions also offer optional social and leisure programs, film nights, sports activities, cultural events in and around the city, receptions, and travel to other parts of Germany. It is also common for programs to teach German language in the mornings, and for students to be able to take optional classes in the afternoons on pronunciation, listening, grammar, test preparation, and other support studies.

Course A, the elementary level, is usually sub-divided into A1 (breakthrough) and A2 (waystage) levels depending on the institution. Level A is the introductory, basic German language and cultural studies level. It is for those who have a basic knowledge of German language, and it emphasizes conversation but also covers reading, writing, listening, and grammar. It is German for beginners who want to learn and live the language.

Course B, the independent usage of language level, is subdivided into B1 (threshold), which is further broken down into B1.1 and B1.2, and the B2 (vantage) level, which includes B2.1 and B2.2. The B1 and B2 course level focuses on developing oral and written language skills, but listening, reading, and grammar are included.

Course C, or competent language usage, level is comprised of C1 (effective operational proficiency), sub-divided into C1.1 and C1.2, and C2 (mastery) level. At level C, students are introduced to the German academic language and upper level grammar. More advanced language skills are emphasized including presentation techniques, the language of academia, and terminology and language for specific purposes.

Course D is offered at the highest level of German international summer courses. It is broken down into basic, intermediate, and advanced levels. This level is for students in natural sciences or engineering. It focuses on scientific or technical language.

Some German higher education institutions also offer additional international summer school programs, such as Business German programs, preparation programs for teachers of German as Foreign Language, or programs aimed at post-graduate students. It is also possible to find German higher education institutions that offer individually tailored study preparation programs for those without German skills who want to later enroll as an exchange student or degree program in Germany.

Resources:

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/level-descriptions and https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages and https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/reference-level-descriptions-rlds-developed-so-far

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching Assessment. Council of Europe, 2020. https://rm.coe.int/common-european-framework-of-reference-for-languages-learning-teaching/16809ea0d4

Deutsche Sprachprufung fur den Hochshulzugang/DSH: https://en.dsh-germany.com/index and https://en.dsh-germany.com/info/#dsh-generally/ and https://en.dsh-germany.com/info/#dsh-levels/ and https://en.dsh-germany.com/language-course/german#language-certificates/

The Exams of the Goethe-Institut. Goethe-Institut, 2025. https://www.goethe.de/pro/relaunch/prf/de/Pruefungsordnung.pdf

Geographical Distribution of German Speakers. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographical_distribution_of_German_speakers

German Academic Exchange Service/DAAD: https://www2.daad.de/deutschland/studienangebote/sommerkurse/en/ and https://www2.daad.de/deutschland/studienangebote/sommerkurse/en/result/?q=&fos=&langExamLC=&langExamSC=&degree%5B%5D=5&lang%5B%5D=&modStd%5B%5D=&dat%5B%5D=&cit%5B%5D=&tyi%5B%5D=&ins%5B%5D=&sort=4&dur=&subjects%5B%5D=&limit=10&offset=&display=list&scholarshipLC=&scholarshipSC= and https://www2.daad.de/deutschland/studienangebote/sommerkurse/en/result/?q=&fos=&langExamLC=&langExamSC=&degree%5B%5D=6&lang%5B%5D=&modStd%5B%5D=&dat%5B%5D=&cit%5B%5D=&tyi%5B%5D=&ins%5B%5D=&sort=4&dur=&subjects%5B%5D=&limit=10&offset=&display=list&scholarshipLC=&scholarshipSC= and https://www2.daad.de/deutschland/studienangebote/international-programmes/en/

German as a Foreign Language World, 2020. Goethe-Institut. https://www.goethe.de/de/uun/pub/dlz.html and https://www.goethe.de/resources/files/pdf328/bro_deutsch-als-fremdsprache-weltweit-v2.pdf

German Language Exams. Europa Pages. https://www.europa-pages.com/german/exam.html#KDS

Goethe-Institut: https://www.goethe.de/en/spr/prf.html and https://www.goethe.de/ins/de/en/kur.html and http://web.archive.org/web/20041209070126/http://www.goethe.de/dll/prf/bes/enindex.htm and http://web.archive.org/web/20041205071248/http://www.goethe.de/dll/prf/pba/kds/deindex.htm and http://web.archive.org/web/20041209025953/http://www.goethe.de/dll/prf/pba/kds/bst/deindex.htm and http://web.archive.org/web/20041205124131/http://www.goethe.de/dll/prf/pba/kds/vor/deindex.htm

The European Language Certificate: https://www.telc.net/en/language-examinations/ and https://www.telc.net/en/language-examinations/certificate-exams/ and https://www.telc.net/en/language-examinations/why-telc-certificates/ and https://www.telc.net/en/language-examinations/why-telc-certificates/the-cefr-for-languages/

Lingoda Online Language School: https://www.lingoda.com/blog/en/german-language-levels/#:~:text=The%20CEFR%20divides%20German%20language,and%20C2%20describe%20proficient%20users and https://www.lingoda.com/blog/en/how-many-people-speak-german/#How-many-German-speakers-are-there-in-the-world?