General Information
The Language Center is responsible for organizing language courses and providing translation services for the university.
We offer German courses at most language levels, which are available for our students and staff free of charge. For further information, please contact us.
In addition to the curricular language courses built into the different degree programs, we also offer free preparation courses for our students. The goal of these courses is to prepare students for the curricular language modules. As the preparation courses are not part of the degree programs, students do not receive ECTS points for completing them.
Complete beginners can register for the preparation courses (French 1, Italian 1 and Spanish 1) in Stud.IP from September until the beginning of the lecture period. If you are not a complete beginner, please contact the Language Center to register.
Both the curricular and preparation courses have a mandatory attendance requirement.
We also issue language certificates for students planning internships and study periods abroad. To request a certificate, please contact us in the relevant target language and include information about your degree program and any language courses taken at HGU.
The Language Center also handles internal translation, editing, and proofreading requests. Our translation team can be reached through the link on the right.
Tips for Language Learning
- Try to expose yourself to your chosen language(s) as much as possible by listening to/reading/watching the news, TV series, films, podcasts, websites, blogs or whatever interests you.
- If you’re a beginner, try downloading free language-learning apps like Duolinguo to practice vocabulary.
- The HGU library can also offer you access to the Rosetta Stone online language learning programs in different languages. Visit the library homepage for more information.
- Make sure you have a free bilingual dictionary app installed on your phone (e.g., Linguee) and, ideally, a paper dictionary on your desk at home.
Last but not least: make sure to try to meet other students who are native speakers of your target language! Geisenheim has plenty of German and international students who are also interested in learning languages and sharing their culture, so why not organize regular tandem sessions to learn from each other?
Office Hours
Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or by appointment.
The Language Center is located in Room 01.02 and 02.02 in the Müller-Thurgau-Haus.
Translation
The Language Center coordinates internal translation work for the university. For information please contact: translation(at)hs-gm.de
German as a Foreign Language
Our German courses are offered at all language levels.
You will need to take a placement test before registering. Please follow the steps below:
- Click the following link: einstufungstests.klett-sprachen.de
- Enter your name and e-mail address.
- Complete the placement test without a dictionary or any other aid. When the questions get too hard to answer, click on the ‘Alles einreichen’ button.
- Forward your results to Katharina Betker-Zawisko (Katharina.BetkerZawisko(at)hs-gm.de).
- We will then get back to you with the course details.
Please read the module handbook for more information on the German: Professional and Technical Communication (B1/B2) course.
This course requires A2/B1 level German. If you are unsure about your language level, please contact the Language Center.
Horticulture (B.Sc.)
Semesters 1 & 2: (Optional) preparation course(Französisch Vorkurs 1 & 2; A1) or (Französisch Vorkurs 3 & 4; A2) no ECTS credits
Preallocation: Stud.IP from October 1
Semester 5: Optional module (Fachfremdsprache Französisch) 3 ECTS credits | min. A2 | Simone Weiß
Preallocation: End of semester 4 (tba)
Semesters 1 & 2: (Optional) preparation course (Italienisch Vorkurs 1 & 2; A1) or (Italienisch Vorkurs 3 & 4; A2) no ECTS credits
Preallocation: Stud.IP from October 1
Semester 5: Optional module (Fachfremdsprache Italienisch)3 ECTS points | min. A2 | Daniela Ceroni
Preallocation: end of semester 4 (tba)
Beverage Technology (B.Sc.)
Semesters 1 & 2: (Optional) preparation course (Französisch Vorkurs 1 & 2; A1)or (Französisch Vorkurs 3 & 4; A2)no ECTS credits
Preallocation: Stud.IP from October 1
Semesters 3 & 4: Compulsory module(Fachfremdsprache Französisch) 6 ECTS credits | min. A2 | Abdesslem Aboub
Preallocation: end of semester 2 (tba)
Semesters 1 & 2: (Optional) preparation course (Italienisch Vorkurs 1 & 2; A1)or (Italienisch Vorkurs 3 & 4; A2)no ECTS credits
Preallocation: Stud.IP from October 1
Semesters 3 & 4: Compulsory module(Fachfremdsprache Italienisch) 6 ECTS credits | min. A2 | Daniela Ceroni
Preallocation: end of semester 2 (tba)
Semesters 1 & 2: (Optional) preparation course (Spanisch Vorkurs 1 & 2; A1)or (Spanisch Vorkurs 3 & 4; A2)no ECTS credits
Preallocation: Stud.IP from October 1
Semesters 3 & 4: Compulsory module(Fachfremdsprache Spanisch) 6 ECTS credits | min. A2 | Silvia Soto de Kamann
Preallocation: end of semester 2 (tba)
International Wine Business (B.Sc.) – German Program
Semesters 1 & 2: (Optional) preparation course (Französisch Vorkurs 1 & 2; A1) or (Französisch Vorkurs 3 & 4; A2)no ECTS credits
Preallocation: Stud.IP from October 1
Semesters 3 & 4: Optional module (Fachfremdsprache Französisch) 6 ECTS credits | min. A2 | Abdesslem Aboub
Preallocation: End of semester 2 (tba)
Semesters 1 & 2: (Optional) preparation course (Italienisch Vorkurs 1 & 2; A1)or (Italienisch Vorkurs 3 & 4; A2)no ECTS credits
Preallocation: Stud.IP from October 1
Semesters 3 & 4: Optional module (Fachfremdsprache Italienisch) 6 ECTS credits | min. A2 | Daniela Ceroni
Preallocation: End of semester 2 (tba)
Semesters 1 & 2: (Optional) preparation course (Spanisch Vorkurs 1 & 2; A1)or (Spanisch Vorkurs 3 & 4; A2) no ECTS credits
Preallocation: Stud.IP from October 1
Semesters 3 & 4: Optional module (Fachfremdsprache Spanisch) 6 ECTS credits | min. B1 | Silvia Soto de Kamann
Preallocation: End of semester 2 (tba)
International Wine Business (B.Sc.) – English Program
Semesters 1 & 2: (Optional) preparation course (Französisch Vorkurs 1 & 2; A1) or (Französisch Vorkurs 3 & 4; A2) no ECTS credits
Preallocation: Stud.IP from October 1
Semesters 3 & 4: Optional module (Fachfremdsprache Französisch) 6 ECTS credits | min. B1 | Abdesslem Aboub
Preallocation: End of semester 2 (tba)
Semesters 1 & 2: (Optional) preparation course (Italienisch Vorkurs 1 & 2; A1) or (Italienisch Vorkurs 3 & 4; A2)no ECTS credits
Preallocation: Stud.IP from October 1
Semesters 3 & 4: Optional module (Fachfremdsprache Italienisch) 6 ECTS credits | min. A2 | Daniela Ceroni
Preallocation: End of semester 2 (tba)
Semesters 1 & 2: (Optional) preparation course (Spanisch Vorkurs 1 & 2; A1) or (Spanisch Vorkurs 3 & 4; A2)no ECTS credits
Preallocation: Stud.IP from October 1
Semester 3 & 4: Optional module (Fachfremdsprache Spanisch) 6 ECTS credits | min. A2 | Silvia Soto de Kamann
Preallocation: End of semester 2 (tba)
Landscape Architecture (B.Eng.)
Semesters 1 & 2: (Optional) preparation course (Italienisch Vorkurs 1 & 2; A1) or (Italienisch Vorkurs 3 & 4; A2) no ECTS credits
Preallocation: Stud.IP from October 1
Semester 3/5: Optional module (Fachfremdsprache Italienisch) 3 ECTS credits | min. A2 | Daniela Ceroni
Preallocation: End of semester 2/4 (tba)
Food Chain Management (B.Sc.)
Semesters 1 & 2 or 3 & 4: (Optional) preparation course (Italienisch Vorkurs 1 & 2; A1) or (Italienisch Vorkurs 3 & 4; A2) no ECTS credits
Preallocation: Stud.IP from October 1
Semesters 5 & 6: Optional module (Fachfremdsprache Italienisch) 6 ECTS credits| min. A2 | Daniela Ceroni
Preallocation: End of semester 4 (tba)
Semesters 1 & 2 or 3 & 4: (Optional) preparation course (Spanisch Vorkurs 1 & 2; A1) or (Spanisch Vorkurs 3 & 4; A2) no ECTS credits
Preallocation: Stud.IP from October 1
Semesters 5 & 6: Optional module (Fachfremdsprache Spanisch) 6 ECTS credits | min. A2 | Silvia Soto de Kamann
Preallocation: End of semester 4 (tba)
Food Safety (B.Sc.)
- Level: min. B1
- Timing: Compulsory module in semesters 1 & 2 (Fach.-u. Wirtschaftsenglisch 1) 6 ECTScredits| Compulsory module in semesters 3 & 4 (Fach.-u. Wirtschaftsenglisch 2) 6 ECTS credits | Optional module in semesters 5 & 6 (Advanced Business English)6 ECTS credits
- Lecturers: Sangeetha Madhaven, Brigitte Lückoff
Viticulture and Enology (B.Sc.)
Semesters 1 & 2: (Optional) preparation course (Französisch Vorkurs 1 & 2; A1) or (Französisch Vorkurs 3 & 4; A2) no ECTS credits
Preallocation: Stud.IP from October 1
Semesters 3 & 4: Optional module (Fachfremdsprache Französisch) 6 ECTS credits | min. A2 | Abdesslem Aboub
Preallocation: End of semester 2 (tba)
Semesters 1 & 2: (Optional) preparation course (Italienisch Vorkurs 1 & 2; A1) or (Italienisch Vorkurs 3 & 4; A2) no ECTS credits
Preallocation: Stud.IP from October 1
Semesters 3 & 4: Optional module (Fachfremdsprache Italienisch) 6 ECTScredits| min. A2 | Daniela Ceroni
Preallocation: End of semester 2 (tba)
Semesters 1 & 2: (Optional) preparation course (Spanisch Vorkurs 1 & 2; A1) or (Spanisch Vorkurs 3 & 4; A2) no ECTS credits
Preallocation: Stud.IP from October 1
Semesters 3 & 4: Compulsory module (Fachfremdsprache Spanisch) 6 ECTS credits | min. A2 | Silvia Soto de Kamann
Preallocation: End of semester 2 (tba)
