In German universities, most lectures and seminars are conducted in German
The Goethe-Institut, together with CHE Consult, a company specializing in higher education management, conducted a study surveying more than two thousand foreign students in bachelor's and master's programs at 22 German universities, among whom nearly 400 are from Russia and Ukraine. The survey results reveal how foreigners prepare for admission to German universities and which language exams they take.
As reported by Deutsche Welle, 90 percent of respondents began studying German before studying in Germany. Almost half of all foreign students first encountered the German language at school in their home country. Every fifth student attended a school belonging to the global PASCH network, which unites more than 1,800 educational institutions with intensive German language instruction.
However, as the study results showed, the knowledge acquired within the school curriculum is insufficient for admission to a German university. Two-thirds of those who took part in the survey, in addition to classes at school or university, additionally attended private language schools, courses at the Goethe-Institut or German Language Centers that are partners of the Goethe-Institut. Some took advantage of the opportunity to improve their German language skills through participation in the Au Pair program or youth exchange programs.
Studying German at school or in language courses is especially common in European countries – most in Central and Eastern Europe (86 percent of respondents), and least in South Asia and the Middle East. In third place in popularity are the language centers of the Goethe-Institut. This option for learning German is most often chosen in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and Africa.
Preparatory college (Studienkolleg) is most popular among students from South and Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Every third student from North America and Eastern Europe studied German at a university in their home country before entering a German university.
The study results also indicate the growing importance of self-education. A third of the study participants learned German on their own. 24 percent of respondents used online resources for this purpose.
Language videos on YouTube and online courses are the most popular. Less frequently, German learners use special mobile apps and podcasts. Only 2 percent of respondents communicate with native speakers on online forums and read German-language blogs.
Knowledge of the German language in most faculties in Germany is one of the main requirements for foreign applicants. Applicants to higher education institutions must present a document confirming successful completion of a language exam. As a rule, an applicant must have German language proficiency at level B2 or C1.
According to the survey results, more than half of the students took the DSH or TestDaF exams. 10 percent – the German Language Diploma (Deutsches Sprachdiplom), 10 percent – an exam at a preparatory college, 5 percent received the Goethe Certificate C2, and 1 percent – telc.