Can you proofread or translate documents for me?

If you have a document you would like to have proofread or translated, please get in touch with our translation coordinator, Alicia Bueno Belloso. You can find more information about this offer on the General Translation Coordination Confluence page.

How can I find out what my English level is?

The Speexx language program offers a placement test. Alternatively, you are welcome to come along to the Drop-In Session. There, we can have a small conversation and we will try to give you an estimate of your English level.

I don't know which of your offers are best for my wishes and needs. What should I do?

In that case, book an appointment for the Drop-In Session. There, we can discuss your wishes and goals and you will receive suggestions based on our current offers.

Do the English offers count toward my working hours?

The workshops and other English offers are only considered working hours if your supervisor approves.

Which workshops are currently being offered?

You should always expect an email from Personal Development (Personalentwicklung) when new workshops are announced. You are also welcome to visit our Confluence page for English workshops for staff members to find information about current offers. You can subscribe to the page (or the whole area) so that you are also kept up to date when new offers are announced.

We have a specific request for a workshop or a course. What should we do?

If you have a concrete idea for a tailormade workshop or course for your department, please feel free to get in touch with Daniel Walker. Together, we can discuss it and create a concept for your idea, and then holding the event - either just for you and your colleagues in your department, or with other colleagues from other departments, too.

I can't make it to a workshop because of the timing. What are the alternatives?

Usually, popular workshops are offered several times over several semesters. If you can't make it to a workshop, but you are interested in the topic, send an email to Daniel Walker for more information about potential repeats of the workshop or workshops you are interested in.

How does a Lecture Visit work?

A Lecture Visit runs as follows: You sign up for a Lecture Visit via email. Then, someone from the Lanuage Center comes to your English lecture and sits at the back of the room (or in the corner of the screen on Zoom) and listens, as though they were taking part in the lecture. Nobody in the room will no why the person is actually there. If there is a little time after the lecture, this person will stay in the room and discuss your feedback with you. Afterward, you will receive a written document with your feedback on it. You will also have the opportunity to discuss your feedback, either via email or in our Drop-In Session.

What does the feedback from a Lecture Visit look like?

It is up to you what kind of feedback you receive. We are happy to take on individual requests, such as if you want specific feedback on your pronunciation. If you don't have any specific requests, then you should generally expect feedback on the following: grammar, vocabulary, fluency, pronunciation and slides (e.g., typing errors).

Are the Lecture Visits only available for lectures?

No! Apart from lectures, we are very happy to come along to other things you hold in English, such as seminars, tutorials, presentations, speeches, or even smaller discussions or meetings.

What exactly is the Drop-In Session for?

The Drop-In Session is an English office hour for all members of staff. You can drop by for everything and anything to do with English. For example, feel free to drop in if you have received an English email that you would like to discuss, or if you are soon going to hold a presentation in English and want to practice a few slide in advance. You can also drop by if you generally interested in the English offer for university staff and want to find out a little more. Just send a short email to Daniel Walker to book an appointment

What language do the Drop-In Sessions take place in?

We can speak English or German (or also Denglish).

I have something to discuss, but I think a short meeting in the Drop-In Session won't be enough. What should I do?

You should still make an appointment for the Drop-In Session. Every appointment lasts 20 minutes, but if there are no other appointments on the day, we can take more time on your issue. If there isn't enough time in the Drop-In Session itself, we are happy to make another appointment outside of the Drop-In Session. Send an email to Daniel Walker and together we will find a solution for you.

What level do I have to be to join Café Lingua?

There are no specific prerequisites. Of course, you should be able to hold a small conversation, but if you're not too sure what your level is, why don't you come along and see how you find it? Perhaps you will surprise yourself at how well you can follow the conversation! We also have native speakers in the group who can help and support you, and we also collect difficult words we come across on our Confluence page. That way, you always have an overview of words and phrases that may have beene new to you.

Do I have to register for Café Lingua?

No! Café Lingua is an informal meeting. You can come and go as you wish without having to register or sign up. Imagine you are meeting some colleagues in a café - you've set a time to meet, but if you're a little late or you have to leave early, it's not a problem at all. You also don't have to come to every meeting that we have. Take a look at our Confluence page to find out about the next meeting and decide for yourself whether the time suits you and whether the chosen topic is of interest to you.

When is the next session?

Take a look at our Confluence-Seite. The pages are always kept up to date so you can always see when the next sessions are and what topics we are going to talk about.

How do I get a Speexx account?

You can sign up via Personal Development (Personalentwicklung). Please log in to our intranet and go to the Fortbildungsangebot-Seite of Personal Development (please note this page is currently only available in German). There, you can find more information about how to sign up. You can also get in touch with Daniel Walker if you have any questions.

Can I sign up to the European University Tandem (EUniTa) even though I'm a staff member and not a student?

Of course you can! EUniTA isn't just for students, so please do sign up! You can find more information on the EUniTa page. Please note that this page is currently only available in German.