We offer various courses based on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

Courses

Our language courses aim to develop your linguistic skills and intercultural competence. You can find out more on the general information page.

The following German courses are available for members of the public and University of Bath staff:

Placement test

If you have never learned German with us before, please take this placement test so that you know which course is suitable for you.

How to complete the test

1. Select the test you would like to complete.
2. To start the test click on Test starten.
3. Click on weiter to move from one question to the next.
4. After you answer the final question click Test beenden.
5. You will then receive your result. This is an example of the result from the A1.1 placement test:

• Sie haben den Test beendet (You have finished the test)
• Ihr Ergebnis: 23.5 von 25 Punkten (Your result: 23.5 out of 25 points)
• Sie können mit A1.2 beginnen (You can start with A1.2 – which is the Post Beginner course)

Please contact the German Course Leader if you require further assistance. Please also refer to the course descriptions below.

Course description

Complete Beginner (Semester 1)

Equivalent to CEFR level A1.1

This course is suitable for you if you have never studied German before.

Post Beginner (Semester 2)

Equivalent to CEFR level A1.2

Enrol on this course if you have completed the Complete Beginner course with us, or if you can:

• use basic structures and vocabulary related to greetings, introductions, family, numbers, time, food
• form simple sentences using present tense verbs, basic question forms, negations and basic adjectives
• follow and engage in simple conversations and understand simple texts

Elementary Part 1 (Semester 1)

Equivalent to CEFR level A2.1

Enrol on this course if you have completed the Post Beginner course with us, or have grades 4 or 5 in German GCSE or a similar qualification, or if you can:

• use basic structures and vocabulary related to everyday topics such as travel, weather, work, health and leisure activities
• use the present tense and the perfect tense
• engage in longer conversations on familiar topics and express basic opinions
• understand and write short texts

Elementary Part 2 (Semester 2)

Equivalent to CEFR level A2.2

Enrol on this course if you have completed Elementary Part 1 with us, or if you can:

• use a wider range of vocabulary covering topics including work, education, hobbies, transport
• use the present and perfect tense, the simple past tense and have a good understanding of modal verbs
• engage in longer conversations on familiar topics, express basic opinions and make suggestions
• understand and write texts of moderate length

Intermediate Part 1 (Semester 1)

Equivalent to CEFR level B1.2

Enrol on this course if you have completed Lower Intermediate Part 2 with us, or if you have an AS level or equivalent, or if you can:

• use an extensive range of vocabulary across a wide range of topics
• use the different tenses (past, present, future) modal verbs, relative clauses and more advanced grammatical structures
• engage in reasonably fluent and spontaneous conversations, presenting arguments and expressing opinions
• understand and write various types of text

Intermediate Part 2 (Semester 2)

Equivalent to CEFR level B1.2

Enrol on this course if you have completed Intermediate Part 1 with us, or if you have an AS level or equivalent, or if you can:

• use an extensive range of vocabulary across a wide range of topics
• use the different tenses (past, present, future) modal verbs, relative clauses and more advanced grammatical structures
• engage in reasonably fluent and spontaneous conversations, presenting arguments and expressing opinions
• understand and write various types of text

Advanced Part 1 (Semester 1)

Equivalent to CEFR level B2.1

Enrol on this course if you have completed Intermediate Part 2 with us, or if you have an A level or equivalent, if you have lived in a German speaking country, or if you:

• have an extensive range of vocabulary across a wide variety of topics
• have a strong command of grammar including passive voice, conditional tense
• can engage in reasonably fluent and spontaneous conversations on a wide range of topics
• can understand and write various types of text on a wide range of topics

Advanced Part 2 (Semester 2)

Equivalent to CEFR level B2.1

Enrol on this course if you have completed Advanced Part 1 with us, or if you have an A level or equivalent, if you have lived in a German speaking country, or if you:

• have an extensive range of vocabulary across a wide variety of topics
• have a strong command of German grammar including passive voice, conditional tense
• can engage in reasonably fluent and spontaneous conversations on a wide range of topics
• can understand and write various types of text on a wide range of topics

Course dates and times

All courses consist of 10 weekly interactive sessions delivered on our Claverton Down campus in person (IPL = In-person learning).

The timetable for Semester 1 will be published during July/August.

Student experience

"What’s great about the course is that there’s a real mix of students from different backgrounds and countries taking part. We each bring our diverse experiences of learning the language to the lessons, but a common interest in all things German unites us all." (Kerry Vevers)

Read about a member of staff's experience of the German Advanced course in this blog: Achtung Baby! Learning German with the Skills Centre.

Outside the classroom, we also share cultural events organised by German associations in the UK such as the Goethe-Institut London, UK-German Connection and Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) with our students. These events offer additional opportunities for you to develop your knowledge of German language and culture.

Enrolment and cost

Enrolments for Semester 1 will open on 18 September 2024 and classes will start in the week beginning 7 October 2024.

The cost of each course will be published in July/August.