FAQ

Only duly enrolled students of the HSD are eligible to participate. Unfortunately, guest students are not eligible.

The International Office of HSD offers free German courses for international students with and without a refugee background to prepare them for their studies. These courses aim to bring international students, regardless of their refugee background, who are ready to study, to level C1. For more information: https://www.hs-duesseldorf.de/prospectivestudents/refugees​ 

No, the ZWEK offers free language courses for HSD students.

ZWEK currently offers language courses in Arabic, Dutch, English, French, German as a foreign language, Japanese, Italian, Spanish, and sign language. However, our language learning offerings vary from semester to semester.

In principle, yes. In order for a course to take place, we need at least 10 participants in the course, who must also be present at the first session. Please feel free to contact us.

The language learning program will be presented about three weeks before the semester starts. However, registration is only possible approximately two weeks before the start of the semester.

It is published on our own website. However, the start of registration will be published via the News message on the main HSD page and via social media.

The language courses of the ZWEK can start one to two weeks after the official start of lectures (depending on the lecture period). The start and end dates can be found in the individual course boxes).

Some of the language courses are limited to 20 participants.

In order for a language course to take place, at least 10 participants must be registered and present at the first session.

Only via SharePoint with the HSD account.

For each semester, the ZWEK usually presents its program on its own website three weeks before the semester begins and sets a registration time. Registration is possible within this time (usually, two weeks before the start of the semester). During this time you can register for the language courses.

Yes, if the maximum number of participants has been reached, you can be put on the waiting list and you can get a place by moving up. As soon as you have moved up, you will be automatically notified by the system.

Unfortunately not. However, you can contact the ZWEK to find out if there are still places available in the course.

Unfortunately, no. Since many language courses are very popular and we want to remain fair, priority is given to registered students who have placed themselves on the waiting list. We also send the lists of participants to the lecturers. Those who are not on the course list will be turned away.

Yes and no. Multiple courses in different languages can be attended. Two different levels in one language cannot be attended. Since the language courses build on each other, it is not possible to attend language courses in the same language at different levels at the same time (for example, Japanese A1.1 and Japanese A1.2).

Yes, please do. If you cannot or do not want to participate in the course, please: send us an email to: sprachen.zwek@hs-duesseldorf.de. This way you give other students the chance to move up.

We will usually contact you if the course has to be cancelled. In times of digital teaching we will send you all access data one week before the course starts.

These are the levels from the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). ZWEK's language courses are based on the CEFR. The CEFR distinguishes six levels of proficiency and describes what learners can express and understand at each level. The levels tell about the level of difficulty of the course. A1 and A2: Elementary language use B1 and B2: Independent language use C1 and C2: Competent language use For more information see: Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Languages (europaeischer-referenzrahmen.de).

The ZWEK uses textbook-based placement tests for this purpose. In order to register for a course at level A2 or higher, it is necessary to provide evidence of prior knowledge BEFORE the course begins. For this purpose, you can submit evidence that is not older than two years.

To prove prior knowledge of a language, you can submit school reports, certificates from language centers, certificates from language schools or institutes BEFORE the course begins. However, they must not be older than two years.

For each language course there is a module description with the CEFR objectives and with the prerequisites for participation in the respective course. These must be adhered to. If your previous knowledge in oral or written form significantly exceeds the required level, you will unfortunately not be able to continue with the language course. Please understand this. This will free up your place for someone else.

Here it also applies: For each language course there is a module description with the CEFR objectives and with the prerequisites for participation in the respective course. These must be adhered to. If your previous knowledge in oral or written form significantly exceeds the required level, you will unfortunately not be able to continue with the language course. Please have understanding for this.

Basically, if you do not come to the course on the first day, you will lose your place. Therefore, it is important to apologize to ZWEK or the lecturers beforehand. The day/date will still count as missed.

Yes, for language courses with two listed days/dates there is no choice, both days together make up the 4 SWS. What does 80% compulsory attendance mean? This means that of the total number of class dates (usually 17 or 34), you must be present for 80%. This usually means a maximum of 3 absences, depending on the semester. The summer semester is shorter than the winter semester.

No. Since regular attendance in language courses is necessary for the evaluation of active participation in class, the allowed absences should not be exceeded. Not even with a doctor's certificate or similar.

Yes, the attendance requirement of 80% is a prerequisite for successful participation in the course and for the evaluation of active participation.

Active participation means: you have completed your homework and are prepared in class, you turn in your homework on time in Moodle (essays or similar), you give a presentation, you actively participate in class, dialogues and activities, and you participate in group work. Active participation will be assessed.

No, you do not need any additional registration. All participants of the language courses complete the course with a written exam.

The exams usually takes place in the last week of class.

Only in very exceptional cases can you retake the exam. If you do not show up for the exam without a valid reason, you will be considered to have failed the exam.

As of winter semester 2021/22, students at ZWEK can only receive certificates of attendance. The following requirements must be met for this: 80% attendance, active participation in class, and taking notes and passing the final written exam.

We do not issue attendance certificates only.

We try to issue certificates as soon as possible after the end of the semester. However, this may take two to three months. Why? Only after we receive the exams and attendance records from the lecturers, we can start reviewing all the documents.

Depending on the receipt of the grades from the lecturer and after reviewing the exams and attendance lists, we publish the results anonymously. You can find out the results of your exam via our infobox on the website.

You will be notified by email when they are ready for pickup. You can also find out this info via our infobox on the website.

Due to the Corona Pandemic, some procedures have unfortunately changed and the usual personal collection of certificates at ZWEK is currently not possible. However, we offer you the possibility to receive the certificates by mail if you send us a sufficiently addressed and stamped envelope (DIN A4). Please provide us with the following data: Name, matriculation number, language course taken with level and the semester in which you took the course.
Please address the letter to:

Hochschule Düsseldorf
Sprachen-ZWEK
Münsterstraße 156
40476 Düsseldorf

As a rule, you will receive the respective certificate at the end of the semester at the premises of the ZWEK. We kindly ask you to call us before you go.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to send it by e-mail.

Depending on the subject area, you can have the courses credited. In which form and with how many CreditPoints this can be done, you have to ask (best in advance) in your respective examination/study office. This differs from one Faculty to another.

The registration of the passed examination performance is not automatic. Some Faculties have a form for the crediting of language courses as elective modules, which is filled out by you and can be confirmed by us. Please send us the completed form, we will stamp it and forward it to the relevant examination office by internal mail upon request.

ZWEK Sprachen (Languages) ​​​confirms your participation in the language course on behalf of the lecturer and stamps this form for you, which you fill out in advance and send to us digitally or by mail. We will then forward it to the respective examination office by internal mail.

All duly enrolled students of the HSD as well as employees of the HSD are eligible to participate.

Via the Padlet platform. For this you need an HSD account and a password, which we will provide. At the moment our language tandem is not yet functional.