All about ZFA Courses
The ZFA offers around 170 courses in 17 different languages each semester.
Here you can find out about the following:
-
Participation and Course Fees
-
Overview of Courses Available
-
Choosing the Right Course
-
Placement Test
-
Registration
-
Allocation of Course Places
-
Important Information at the Start of the Course
-
Performance Assessment
-
Accreditation
-
Final Marks and Certification
-
UNIcert®
Participation and Course Fees
There is no charge for sitting the placement test.
All ZFA courses have a minimum number of participants, set between 9-15 depending on language and level. If this minimum number of participants is not met by the end of the registration period or is not present in the first course session, the course will be cancelled. Please find more detailled information in this table . All Technical Courses that are only available to students of specific faculties are excluded from this rule.
Registered students of the RUB
Our range of courses (including technically oriented courses) is free for all registered RUB students, with no upper limit on the number of hours you may take. Some technically oriented courses are designed for students of specific areas of study or faculties. Only students from the relevant faculty or area of study may attend these courses.
Many RUB students attend ZFA courses to gain credit points as as an optional module as part of the Optionalbereich. On the Optionalbereich website In Gebiet [1] (Fremdsprachen) you will find those ZFA courses which can be registered as optional modules.
Students registered elsewhere, Students from other German universities (including UAMR)
Students of other German universities and higher education institutions (including students from the TU Dortmund and University of Duisburg-Essen) and students whose primary registration is not with the RUB are subject to a fee of 20.00 € per hour per week (SWS). A course comprising two hours per week (2 SWS) would therefore cost a total of 40.00 €. Please include a copy of your proof of matriculation with your registration, otherwise you will be charged for the course as an external participant.
Registration
Guest auditors
Guest auditors may attend ZFA courses free of charge. Please note however that RUB students have priority in the allocation of course places and that guest auditors may only be accomodated should places be free.
RUB Staff
Together with the ZFA, the Department for Internal Training and Counselling (Stabsstelle Interne Fortbildung und Beratung -IFB) offers free courses in English and French aimed exclusively for RUB staff who wish to learn these languages for professional purposes. These courses are specifically tailored in this respect. Other foreign languages are available where required for professional purposes and can be booked via the IFB/Department. Information and registration forms can be found on the Stabsstelle IFB website.
Staff members can also participate in ZFA courses (except technically oriented courses) by paying a course fee of 20.00 € per hour per week (SWS). A course comprising of two hours per week (2 SWS) would therefore cost a total of 40.00 €. Please include written confirmation of your employment at the RUB with your registration.
Registration
External Course Participants
External participants (who are not connected the RUB) may also take part in courses Course fees are 30.00 € per hour per week (SWS). A course comprising of two hours per week (2 SWS) would therefore cost a total of 60.00 € and a course comprising of four hours per week (4 SWS) would therefore cost a total of 120.00 €.
Registration
Overview of Courses Available
General courses
The diagram illustrates the range of general language courses offered by the ZFA. You can see here which CEF level s (CEF = Common European Framework for languages) are offered in which languages, and how many courses you have to attend to reach a specific level in your language of choice.
Please note that the diagram can only give you a very general overview. In some languages we offer alternatives (e.g. fast-track courses in which you can reach a certain level in four rather than eight hours per week)
For a detailed look at the courses we offer in each language, please click on Modern Languages in the left hand menu.
Technical courses/ technically oriented courses
Technical courses/ technically oriented courses are aimed at students with specific subject related interests. Some of the courses listed will be offered once a year only rather than every semester.
Overview of technical courses.
Choosing the Right Course
Here's how to find the right course for you, once you've chosen which language you wish to learn:
No prior knowledge/ complete beginner?
If you have no prior knowledge of the language, you can register directly without taking part in the placement test.Exception: If you wish to register for an English course you MUST take the placement test, even if you have no prior knowledge.
You've successfully completed a ZFA course in your chosen language during the last two semesters?
In this case you may register for the follow-on course without taking part in the placement test. Please bring your course certificate from the previous course to the first class of the new course as proof of completion.
You have prior knowledge of the language from another source (e.g. time abroad, school, other higher education institutions, other educational institutions) which have been certified either with a UNIcert® certificate or a standardised language test (eg. CELI, DELE, DELF, IELTS)?
Please get in touch with the contact person for the language in question in order to have your certificate officially recognised. Contact details can be found on the pages for the relevant languages. If your certificate can be officially recognised, you do not need to take part in the placement test -simply register yourself for a course for the next highest level. In other cases, i. e if you have prior knowledge, but it is either from a ZFA course from more than two semesters ago, is from another non-UNIcert® accredited institute or is not certified as one of the above listed standardised tests, you must take the placement test in order to determine the correct level for you.
Placement Test
You have prior knowledge of a language which does not come from the ZFA and which has not been certified with a UNIcert® certificate or a standardised language exam (eg. CELI, DELE, DELF, IELTS) or your last ZFA course is from more than two semesters ago?
In this case you must take part in the placement test for your chosen language (this also apples for students wishing to attend intensive courses out of term time.
In many languages (currently English, French, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Russian, Swedish, Spanish) we offer a centralised placement test in the last two weeks before the semester and the first week of the semester. More detailed information about placement tests (eg. Modalities, test dates, registration) for each language are available on the pages for the individual languages. Similarly, the results of the tests will appear on the individual languages' pages. This appears relatively soon after the test, well within the registration period, allowing you to register for the right level of course.
Information about placement tests in other languages is available in the menu under “Modern Languages” under the pages for the language in question. The contact person for any questions you may have can also be found here.
The result of the placement test is valid for two semesters.
In other words, if you take a test at the start of the summer semester, you do not need to repeat the test if you do not gain a course place in that semester.
Frequently answered questions about the ZFA placement tests and the C-Test-Format
In English, French, Italian, Swedish and Spanish, the placement test uses the C-test format, a special form of gap filling exercise. Here
Registration
Before registering, please make absolutely sure whether or not you need to take a placement test.
The registration periods for the various languages can be found on the course pages for each language, which you can access by clicking on the left hand side in the menu. Registration for courses during the lecture period is normally at the start of April for the summer semester and at the end of September/start of October for the winter semester.
Registration for intensive courses: Registration for intensive courses outside of term time is normally in July/August in the summer semester and January/ February in the winter semester.
Exactly when you register within the registration period has no bearing on the allocation of course places (there is no “first come first served” principle in operation). If there are more registrations than course places, places will be allocated via random selection.
Registration for ZFA courses:
For registered students of the RUB is via VSPL only.
You will find details of the registration procedure in the VSPL course lists (Vorlesungsverzeichnis) under “Zentrum für Fremdsprachenausbildung” only, not under “Optionalbereich”.
For other interested parties registration is via our homepage “Registration for External Candidates”
Please note that in the case of parallel course groups, you have the following options in VSPL:
1. Mark your first, second and third choices from the various groups.
2. A group which you absolutely cannot/ do not wish to attend should be marked with „unerwünscht“ Otherwise you could be given a place on this course by VSPL .
Help with VSPL is available from the VSPL-Campus-Team
If you are not able to register yourself during the registration period, for example due to illness or time abroad, the ZFA can register you manually, provided this is done within the registration period. In such cases, send an E-mail to zfa@rub.de , stating your full name, matriculation number, the course name and course number (eg. English B1/B2 Group A, VL-Nr. 251450). Please also attach documentary evidence as to why you were not able to register yourself (eg. in cases of illness with a doctor's note, in case you were abroad with flight tickets, etc.).
Allocation of Course Places
After the registration period is closed, the allocation of course places is determined by random selection.
Which criteria are used to determine the allocation of places?
Registered students of the RUB are prioritised over other interested parties. If there are more registrations from students than places available, allocation will be determined at random. If there are places free, these will be allocated to other interested parties i.e. guest auditors, students registered elsewhere, RUB staff and external participants.
How will I know if I have a place?
Registered students of the RUB will automatically receive an E-mail (via their RUB account!) at the end of the registration period, detailing admission or waiting list status. You can see via VSPL if you have been given a place.
All other interested parties will hear after the allocation of places whether or not they have a place via E-mail. Because of the organisation involved, this can happen very shortly before the course is due to begin -we ask for your understanding in this matter.
I have a place. My registration was successful.
Please read the section “important information at the start of the course”
I haven't been given a place. What alternatives do I have?
Waiting list places
Students who have not been allocated places after the first round of random selection automatically go onto an electronic waiting list. Please do not go to the first class. Those attending the first class without appropriate registration or admission will not be allowed onto the course. If places become free, for example if other students do not appear for the first class, then names will be chosen at random from the waiting list. Should you receive a place via the waiting list, you will receive confirmation via E-mail (registered students via their RUB account) during the first two weeks of classes.
Intensive courses in the lecture-free period.
In some languages intensive courses take place in the lecture-free period. Further information is available via the pages for the individual languages in the menu on the left.
Spare places exchange.
At the end of the registration period and especially in the first week of courses, we list all remaining free places under the Welcome section of our homepage. Perhaps there might be a good alternative waiting for you here?
Important Information at the Start of the Course
I have a course place. What happens now?
ZFA courses always begin in the second week of lectures.
Important: Only go to the course for which you have registered (for parallel course groups to the group you have registered) and for which you have been allocated a place by VSPL. It is only in this class that your name will appear on the list.
If you miss the first class without an excuseyour course place will be given to somebody else directly after the first meeting. It is not possible to rejoin the course, as other students are on the waiting list. Please inform the course tutor in advance if you know that you have to miss the first session. If you cannot reach the course tutor in question, please inform either the relevant contact person for the language in question or the office: zfa@rub.de
Unless you are attending an absolute beginner’s course, please bring either a certificate from the previous course or the result of the placement test with you. Should you be given a place via the waiting list, please bring the VSPL E-mail confirming your change of status to the next class.
Performance Assessment
ZFA courses are normally concluded with a final exam, although coursework-/ seminar work based assessment also exists. The most important information about assessment can be found in the menu under “Modern Languages” and on the pages of the languages in question and in the course description of the relevant language. Exam dates and locations are constantly updated on these pages. Further information as regards exam format, rules and dates is available from the course tutor at the start of the course.
In most languages courses of the same level, examinations are sat centrally. These exams assess skills in listening, reading, written expression and in many cases appropriate language structures. In many languages there is also a test of oral communication.
Generally, registration for these examinations is not necessary with the exception of UNIcert® -exams.
Accreditation
The accreditation for individual courses is related to the number of hours per week (SWS) and from the workload involved in the course.
Information for students
Regulations for accreditation/ awarding of credit points (CP) at the ZFA
The Zentrum für Fremdsprachenausbildung (ZFA) expects that 1 CP equates to 30 hours’ Workload. 1 CP =1 ECTS credit point.
ZFA courses normally have 2 or 4 SWS and points are awarded relative to the type of course concerned. Special rules exist for courses designed for specific faculties and, since the 2011 Summer Semester also for exchange- and programme students (upon request)
Course type and CP awards
Courses comprising 4 SWS
are awarded with 5 CPs, providing the 150 hour workload condition is fulfilled.
These 5 CPs are gained through course attendance and active participation (2 CPs) and, according to the course, a total of 3 CPs for, among other things: preparatory and follow up work for classes, Blackboard/ Moodle, preparation and holding of presentations, reading of printed material in the target language, self-directed learning, work with a tandem partner, portfolio work and, in nearly all courses, a final examination.
The exact structuring of the CPs will be explained to you at the start of the course by the course tutor. This is then the valid format for the course in question. Provided that you pass the course (minimum final mark 4.0), you will be awarded a course certificate confirming your 5CPs.
Courses comprising 2 SWS
are awarded with 2,5 CP, providing the 75 hour workload condition is fulfilled. All technically oriented courses and all English C1 courses are subject to this rule. The only exceptions are those courses marked “written” /“spoken” (see below).
These 2.5 CPs are gained through course attendance and active participation (1 CP) and, according to the course, a total of 1,5 CPs for, among other things: preparatory and follow up work for classes, Blackboard/ Moodle, preparation and holding of presentations, reading of printed material in the target language, self-directed learning, work with a tandem partner, portfolio work and, in nearly all courses, a final examination
The exact structuring of the CPs will be explained to you at the start of the course by the course tutor. This is then the valid format for the course in question. Provided that you pass the course (minimum final mark 4.0), you will be awarded a course certificate confirming your 2,5CPs.
For courses with 2 SWS marked “written” /“oral”
2 CP are available for the oral Teil, provided the workload is 60 hours or more and 3 CPs for the written part, provided more than 90 hours’ workload has been completed.
These 2/3CPs are gained through course attendance and active participation (1 CP in both cases) and, according to the course, a total of 1 CP (oral)/ 2 CPs (written) for, among other things: preparatory and follow up work for classes, Blackboard/ Moodle, preparation and holding of presentations, reading of printed material in the target language, self-directed learning, work with a tandem partner, portfolio work and, in nearly all courses, a final examination
The exact structuring of the CPs will be explained to you at the start of the course by the course tutor. This is then the valid format for the course in question. Provided that you pass the course (minimum final mark 4.0), you will be awarded a course certificate confirming your 2/3 CPs.
Please note: For the B2 oral courses in French, Italian and Spanish the allocation of CPs is fixed at 1 CP for tandem and 1 CP for the listening training via Blackboard.
Information as to the allocation of CPs for tandem courses is available here.
A large number of ZFA courses can be counted as options as part of the Optionalbereich. These courses can be found in the course lists in Optionalbereich. .
The ZFA is not responsible for the recognition of workload in individual degree courses. Information in this regard is available from the subject area in question.
Final Marks and Certification
Please be aware that the ZFA does not issue certificates of attendance (Teilnahmescheine), only certificates of achievement (Leistungsnachweise) with a final mark.
Assessment is generally by examinations held at the end of the course, although some courses are assessed by course and seminar work.
Registered students of the RUB can see their exam results in VSPL under the heading "Meine Leistungs¬nachweise". Signed course certificates Veranstaltungsbescheinigungen can be picked up in person from the Resource Centre (Selbstlernzentrum (GB 6/156) upon production of ID. Authorised persons may also pick up certificates here on your behalf, provided they have written authority from you. You can also pick up your UNIcert® certificates at the resource centre. Please make sure to bring proof of payment of the examination fee (paying in slip/ bank transfer) in addition to a piece of identification.
All other participants will receive their course certificates and UNIcert® certificates by post.
UNIcert®
The ZFA is currently accredited by the UNIcert® training and examination programme in three levels and in seven languages. We plan to extend our range to four levels and eleven languages in the near future.
More information about UNIcert® here at the ZFA, the training programme, the languages and levels on offer, the registration procedure and the fees payable are available here.