News from the F+U Academy of Languages Heidelberg

Heidelberg is the warmest city in Germany!

In the year 2011, Heidelberg once again headed the list of the warmest cities in Germany. With an annual average temperature of 12.2 °C, Heidelberg managed to top Cologne and Stuttgart, where average temperatures were 12.1 °C and 12.0 °C respectively. Moreover, the lower Neckar region enjoyed the most hours of sunshine. In 2011, the sun shone on Heidelberg for 1,879 hours – 328 hours longer than the annual average. With this record, Heidelberg ranked among Germany’s warmest cities for the seventh time since 2004, and recorded the highest average temperature on four occasions during the same period.
Source:
http://www.rnz.de/zusammenheidelberg/00_20120110064532_Am_waermsten_war_das_Jahr_in_Heidelberg_.html)
12.01.12

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The next Japanseminar takes place on January 20th from 18 - 20 h!
Please find more information here.

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Orientation course
In the orientation course – the second component of the integration course – the focus turns to the culture, legal system and values of the German state. The course culminates in the orientation test.
The F+U Academy of Languages in Heidelberg is not only a recognised provider of the integration course, but also licensed to conduct the orientation test.
The test can be taken on the following dates:
Test schedule 2012: 13.01.2012, 06.03.2012, 28.04.2012, 20.06.2012,12.08.2012, 04.10.2012, 14.12.2012
Examination fee for participants without Certification of Eligibility: € 60 for individuals, € 20 for groups of 10 or more participants.
Registration: 30 working days before the test date.
We will be pleased to assist you should you require further information, either by telephone or by email: 06221 90 21 32 / wagner@fuu.de.
23.11.11

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Heidelberg offers the best learning environment for schools
A study has demonstrated that Heidelberg offers the best environment in southern Germany for school learning. Despite the economic situation, the city of Heidelberg has emerged as the “hidden champion” of the survey, thanks to the city’s differentiated educational provision. The Rhine-Neckar region also performed well, ranking 37th out of a total of 144 districts.
The study forms part of the Gütersloh-based Bertelsmann Foundation “learning atlas”, which again demonstrates a clear north-south divide in the education system of the Federal Republic.
23.11.11

Urban district small and middle large cities 1. Heidelberg 2. Erlangen 3. Karlsruhe 4. Mannheim 5. Augsburg 6. Heilbronn 7. Jena 8. Regensburg 9. Ulm 10. Ingolstadt

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Resounding Success in Japan
Our coordinator for eastern Asia has visited Osaka, Tokyo, Nagoya, Fukuoka and Kumamoto as part of this year’s workshops for large and medium sized agencies.
The first run of bookings that have already arrived from Japan demonstrate the great achievements of Ms Matsuda.
23.11.11

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Just one day’s study at F+U can tell you more than 1000 words in a glossy brochure

The open day at F+U gives you an in-depth and more accurate insight into your future training to become a state recognised Foreign Language Correspondence Clerk / European Secretary or Translator.
By talking with fellow students and the teaching staff you can find the answers to any outstanding questions you may have. For example: How will my career benefit from F+U’s state recognised qualifications as opposed to those offered by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK)? How many hours of self-guided study do I need to allow for Russian, Chinese or Japanese? Which foreign languages are most in demand from industry, banking and international organisations? These are all questions and answers that will help you to make the right career choices.
To make an appointment, please contact Mr Karl-Heinz Rippel at rippel@fuu.de or sprachen@fuu.de.
Let us know your availability and which languages are of interest to you – we’ll then promptly send you your personal timetable.
We look forward to welcoming you to F+U!
11.11.11

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The ‘Cannstatter Wasen’ – an unforgettable experience!
And we were there! Bad Cannstatt is one of the most attractive districts of the state capital, Stuttgart. For 166 years, it has been home to the annual famous Canstatter Volksfest. All kinds of attractions and fun are offered to young and old alike, and there is truly something for everyone – from the Ferris wheels and ghost trains through to carousels, not forgetting the several beer tents. Needless to say, we were also able to sample the traditional Stuttgart beer and enjoy delicious roasted almonds.
The Cannstatter Wasen – the mini Oktoberfest!
13.10.11

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15 per cent discount on 100 per cent future opportunities
15 per cent discount on a new career level
Advanced training as state recognised Translator: 15% discount
Without a high level of English language competency it’s impossible to understand today’s world!
The English language is the most important language for commerce, industry, technology and banking.
Good or advanced English language skills are often the minimum requirement for a high-level position, or for climbing the next rung of the career ladder.
F+U is offering 15 per cent discount on every enrolment for the state recognised Translator of English training course. This offer ends on 31st December 2011.
7.10.11
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F+U test centre offers the TestAS exams!
TestAS stands for Test for Academic Studies* and is a supplementary qualification alongside the DSH and TestDaF. It was developed by the TestDaF Institute and is sponsored by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research. Unlike DSH and TestDaF examinations, which test written and spoken German language competency, TestAS can be taken in either English or German.
This scholastic aptitude test for German universities and universities of applied sciences consists of two parts: first, an online language test (onScreen) and what is known as a core test, which must be completed by all candidates. The core test is then followed by testing in the various subject-specific modules, such as Economics, Engineering, Humanities, Mathematics and Natural Sciences.
• The test helps international students assess whether their intellectual abilities are sufficient for successful completion of the target course of studies.
• It supports universities and universities of applied sciences by simplifying the comparison of prospective students’ qualifications.
• It enhances the chances of success for international applicants through a qualitative comparison.
• It enables completion of the selection and decision procedure whilst still in the home country.
F+U is offering the TestAS examinations on 12th November 2011.
Participation in the test is free of charge!
* Also known in German as Test für Ausländische Studierende (Test for International Students).
6.10.11
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The new academic year for future Foreign Language Correspondence Clerks and European Secretaries at F+U began on 12th September 2011.
The popularity and potential of these professional training courses is evidenced by the steep rise in student numbers: within one year, the new intake has grown from 25 at the beginning of the summer semester to 68 at the start of the current winter semester – almost a threefold increase.
To optimise their chances of success in the employment market, most students select English plus an additional two foreign languages, with Spanish and French proving the most popular. With the ‘English-French-Spanish’ language combination the entire globe is transformed into a potential place of work. It is both forward-looking and encouraging that the number of students choosing the UN-languages Russian, Chinese and Arabic has doubled. Of all non-European languages, Japanese remains the most popular, with 16 course participants. F+U is the only educational institute in Germany to enjoy state recognition of its ‘Foreign Language Correspondence Clerk – Japanese’ course. In addition to their study of foreign languages, the trainee European Secretaries and Foreign Language Correspondence Clerks must also take courses in IT, Business and Law, in order to demonstrate a comprehensive spectrum of skills. The international study atmosphere that characterises F+U helps students to build ‘language tandems’, thus enabling an even faster and deeper immersion into the language and culture. F+U’s success is attributable to a number of factors: the students who embrace the opportunity of a good quality and demanding education, the experienced team of teachers, the individual support of students and a curriculum which quickly responds to the demands of business, as well as the strong reputation of the institution amongst all leading national and international enterprises and EU organisations. In addition, F+U is a test centre for internationally recognised language certificates, such as TestDaF, DSH, TOEFL, TELC, LCCI, TestAS, TOEIC and FaDaF.
5.10.11
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Japan seminar
We congratulate Ms Matsuda on the successful delivery of her seminar on Japan. Attended by between 80 and 90 participants over 4 sessions, the seminar was warmly received by an audience that extended beyond students specialising in Japanese on our Foreign Language Correspondence Clerk course. The project is unique within the region, and due to the high demand new dates are planned for October.
Further information to follow.
21.09.11
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Final report: “LEONARDO DA VINCI Mobility”
In 2011 the F+U Academy of Languages has once again successfully participated in the LEONARDO DA VINCI mobility programme. Furthermore, project implementation with the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) has also been rated as ‘good’ overall. The F+U Academy of Languages has offered this vocational further training programme since 2004, and already taken on 100 interns.
LEONARDO DA VINCI is the European Union programme for vocational training and further education. It supports transnational cooperation between actors in this sector by financing periods abroad for the purpose of vocational learning, and by developing innovative teaching and learning materials, as well as additional qualifications, within European partnerships. In Germany just under 12,000 interns, qualified employees or trainers per year receive funding so that they can complete part of their training or continuing education abroad.
21.09.11
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The F+U Academy of Languages has expanded!
We have grown! From the beginning of September, due to the steadily increasing number of students, our language school has leased new premises in the Deutsche Bank building. With eight rooms on Adenauerplatz we now have room for over 100 additional students. The building is less than a five-minute walk from Hauptstraße 1 (Darmstädter-Hof-Centrum).
16.09.11
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Attention all foreign language professionals and interested applicants: education vouchers are still valid!
The professional foreign language courses at our institute are still eligible for funding! Financial support from the Federal Employment Agency is available specifically for the Foreign Language Correspondence Clerk course specialising in English as well as English with Spanish or French, and also for the European Secretary course.
05.08.11

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State-approval for the foreign language correspondence clerk in Russian achieved!

You can start your training at F+U Academy of Languages to become a state-approved foreign language correspondence clerk in Russian on 12 September 2011. The training is possible with the language bilingual combination English and Russian or the trilingual combination English, Russian and French or Spanish.
We only have a very limited amount of places left!
05.08.11

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Heidelberg’s Mensa warms the hearts of students

For the second year in a row, the Zeughaus dining hall (Mensa) has been voted “Mensa of the year” by Heidelberg students. On Wednesday, following its tenth poll of students on the range and taste of their Mensa food, the campus magazine “Unicum”, presented the coveted “Golden Tray” to the Managing Director of Student Services, Ulrike Leiblein.
The quality and variety of food at the Zeughaus met with particular approval. Every day, students can choose between fresh salads, vegetables and a range of meat dishes. The vast majority of students declared themselves highly satisfied with the campus cuisine, rating it either ‘good’ or ‘very good’.
F+U students can also use their student ID in the award-winning dining hall and enjoy reasonably priced and, above all, healthy food. The Zeughaus is just a 10-minute walk from the Academy of Languages.
30.06.11

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Open Day at the F+U Academy of Languages

On Saturday 28th May 2011 it was time again for the F+U Academy of Languages to open its doors to people of all ages interested in learning languages. Visitors had the opportunity to come and listen to the joint presentation by the Academy Director and the Principal of the state-recognised Vocational College for Foreign Language Professions, find out about the wide range of courses offered by our language school, and seek one-to-one advice.
Several visitors used the occasion to gain an insight into the various further education opportunities and our Foreign Language Professions training. Moreover, the excellent weather smiled on our visitors, so that they were also able to round off the day by exploring sunny Heidelberg.
Prospective students, often accompanied by family or friends, received advice about our Foreign Language Professions training, as well as about our language courses and language tours. Visitors’ questions were answered in an open, general Q&A session, which followed on from the Academy Director’s talk; in addition, a number of helpful staff were on hand to give individual advice. Furthermore, guests were able to take a tour of the school and view the various classrooms.
Visitors were interested primarily in the courses available at our state-recognised Vocational College for Foreign Language Professions, which is housed directly in the F+U Academy of Languages. The Vocational College provides the opportunity to study towards qualification as a state-recognised Foreign Language Correspondence Clerk, European Secretary or Translator.
The F+U Academy of Languages is also one of the leading providers of language courses. The year-round courses come in every shape and size, with the ongoing group lessons, which can be joined at almost any time, taking place in intensive courses or in the evenings. Furthermore, closed groups or individuals can book courses with the schedule and content tailored to reflect their specific needs. To complement these courses, the school also offers language tours in several countries, where course participants learn the language where it is spoken and can therefore directly apply their skills outside the classroom.
As a recognised test centre for TELC, TestDaF, onDaF, TOEFL and LCCI, we regularly hold examinations leading to several language certificates that serve as internationally recognised evidence of skills in the respective language.
Because we not only have many international course participants learning German with us, but also a large number of German participants learning foreign languages, we have extended our regular range of courses to include a tandem programme. In a language tandem, two people, each with a different native language, get together and meet at regular intervals, in order to help each other learn their target language. This opportunity, which is free of charge, is popular among all participants from the language school as well as from the Vocational College for Foreign Language Professions, and has proven very successful.
Do you want to find out more? Then why not come along and see our language school for yourself!
Our next Open Day is Saturday 16th July 2011, from 11.30-15.00 at our F+U Academy of Languages in the Darmstädter Hof Zentrum, directly on Bismarckplatz.
We can of course also advise you during our regular opening hours:
Monday - Friday from 07:30 to 20:00, and Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00.

31.05.2011

 

 

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Taster day: first-hand experience of professional languages training

During the week before Easter, several prospective students made the most of their school holiday to take part in a taster day organised by F+U’s state-recognised college of professional languages. The event provided an opportunity to gain first-hand experience of what it is like to train as a Foreign Language Correspondence Clerk and European Secretary.
Taster day participants were able to observe lessons in their selected languages, and to speak with students as well as with teachers. This allowed the participants to form an accurate impression of the course processes and content. Guests found the contact with current students particularly helpful.
Foreign Language Correspondence Clerks and European Secretaries work primarily in industry, trade and the service sector, and specialise in conducting correspondence in foreign languages, as well as planning, implementation and controlling in operational international trade. They may also concentrate on a role within finance and accounting. Appropriate to the training, the main area of competence lies in foreign languages, proficiency in which is increasingly important in the globalised economy.
On 12.09.2011 the next course begins at the F+U Academy of Languages. If you are interested in training towards becoming a Foreign Language Correspondence Clerk or European Secretary in English, French, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Turkish, Arabic, Japanese, Chinese or Russian, and would like to find out more, you are welcome to come along to our next Open Day. This will take place on 28th May 2011 from 11:30 at Hauptstraße 1 in Heidelberg.
We are of course happy to advise you during our usual opening times:
Monday - Friday from 07:30 to 20:00, and Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00.
We look forward to meeting you!

28.04.2011

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State examinations under way for prospective Foreign Language Correspondence Clerks and European Secretaries

This week, the state examinations are under way at the F+U School of Professional Languages. The prospective Foreign Language Correspondence Clerks and European Secretaries must demonstrate that, having completed their 12 to 24-month training, they are qualified and competent to enter their profession. Candidates are examined in their chosen languages, as well as in business and marketing, IT, writing skills, commercial correspondence and office organisation. Upon successful completion of the written and oral examinations, our graduates are entitled to describe themselves as a “state-recognised Foreign Language Correspondence Clerk” or “state-recognised European Secretary”. They also have the opportunity to be additionally examined by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) and thus, through their vocational training, gain two prestigious qualifications.
Foreign Language Correspondence Clerks and European Secretaries are employed primarily in industry, trade and service companies. In particular, they specialise in foreign language correspondence and the planning, implementation and control of operational import and export trade. They might also concentrate on working within finance and accounting. Reflecting their training, the graduates’ key competence is foreign languages - increasingly essential in the globalised economy.
On the 7th March 2011 the next course commences at the F+U Academy of Languages. If you are interested in training to become a Foreign Language Correspondence Clerk or European Secretary in the languages English, French, Spanish, Japanese or Russian and would like some further information, you are very welcome to come along to our next open day on 12th February from 11am at Hauptstraße 1 in Heidelberg.
We look forward to seeing you!

28th January 2011

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Mexican students at F+U Academy of Languages

From January 30th a group of 47 students and two teachers from Mexico will attend German classes at the Academy of Languages. The group, which is staying until the end of May with German host families, has been referred by ITESM (Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey). The students, aged 16 to 17, come from various Mexican cities like Monterrey, Mexiko City, San Luis Potosi and Chihuahua. They attend German classes in the morning, from 9:00 to 12:15, and after lunch are taught regular classes such as mathematics and Spanish literature by their Mexican teachers.
The Academy of Languages has conducted this international programme in cooperation with the ITESM annually since 2007.
IWithin the extra-curricular programme, a number of trips have been organised for the Mexican students, such as to Munich, Dachau, Neuschwanstein, Zurich, Weimar, Strasbourg, Cologne, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and to the Europa Park.

January 24th 2011

 

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Chinese and Japanese consultation hours

Our Chinese and Japanese speaking staff offer consultation hours.
Consultation in Chinese: Mondays and Thursdays 1 - 3pm
Consultation in Japanese: Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:30 – 2:30pm

December 29th 2010

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Provisional / conditional admission of international students to German universities and higher education institutes.
German embassies in several countries, particularly in Africa and Asia, issue a Study Applicant Visa or Study Visa only when conditional admission to a German university or higher education institute has been granted beforehand. With a Study Applicant Visa or Study Visa, applicants may attend a German language course in Germany and gain the level of German competence required for their final admission to a German university or higher education institute. We offer support in the application process for provisional admission and assist in forwarding your documents to the appropriate universities.
Charges:
1. F+U mediation: 300 Euro.
2. Administration fee for each application, depending on university or higher education institute: 40 to 50 Euro.
3. Application via Uni-Assist: 55 to 75 Euro per application and for each university or higher education institute.

December 27th 2010

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Japan Workshop November 2010

F+U Academy of Languages participated this year for the 5th time at the Japan-Workshop, which took place on November 3rd in Nagoya, on November 6th in Osaka and on November 7th 2010 in Tokyo. Besides F+U - the sole German participant - there were language schools from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France and South Korea.
These workshops are designed for Japanese people planning to spend some time abroad. Around 1000 visitors attended the workshop.
Germany is popular in Japan, especially because of its classical music, the sport, the pastry shops and floristry.The F+U Academy of Languages is popular in Japan primarily because of the extraordinary range of courses, its flexibility and value for money.

November 25th 2010

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„Open day“ for vocational training courses at F+U Academy of Languages.

On Friday December 10th from 15:30 h and on Saturday December 11th from 11:00 h an Open day about vocational training course will take place at the language school F+U. Interested people can get information about the state-recognised courses "Foreign language correspondent" with one, two or three languages, European secretary and translator. The courses start in March and September. They suit the needs of those who want to get job chances in a variegated professional environment and prove every day their language, commercial and IT-skills.
If we have aroused your attention and you would like to ask questions about the courses or simply have a look at the classrooms, feel free to join us at the Open Day. You will find us on the 3rd floor of the shopping mall "Darmstädter Hof Centrum in Heidelberg's main street, Hauptstraße 1.

November 22nd 2010

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Present and Future – Projects by Students of German

In connection with the book sections on “Consumption” and “Future”, Thomas Hübner, a teacher of German, and his level B2 class developed the two projects “Poverty in my Home Country” and “Future”.
Thomas Hübner, who teaches German in one of the computer rooms of the F+U, decided that one should incorporate the medium of the internet into teaching. Therefore he suggested projects which fit into the two chapters of the book, and which make the students use not only their own ideas and personal experiences, but also the results of their internet research.
Within the project “Poverty in my Home Country”, the students dealt with the situations in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Russia, Singapore, Turkey, and Uganda. In addition to their texts, the course members also used pictures to express the poverty in their own countries.
I saw pictures of people wearing gauze bandages or plastic bottles on their feet because they cannot afford shoes. It was especially shocking to see that little children have to work to be able to survive somehow. It is inconceivable that the number of children living on the streets is 15,000 in the city of St. Petersburg alone.
Apart from these sad realities, the students also engaged in the topic of our future. In groups of two or three, they developed stories on the basis of a few words given by their text book – these were for instance “contaminated”, “protective suit”, “famine”, “discovery”, “to save”, and “fish”. Some stories tell how human beings destroy nature and much life on earth, but there are also scenarios in which the opposite happens. Thus, there is also a tale in which scientists build a special air dome which makes it possible for fish to survive after water became scarce.
It was very interesting for me to see how these students of German used their own ideas and experience to create such expressive collages.
If you’d like to take a look at their work, you are welcome to do so in room 32 of the F+U Academy of Languages.

Sarah Ernst, September 1st 2010

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German Universities are the World's Second Best, Heidelberg is at the German Top
According to a recently published ranking by the Jiaotong University of Shanghai, German universities, only beaten by the American ones, are second best in the world. Germany reached this success by having 39 universities to enter the Top 500.
In the individual evaluation, ranks 1 to 3 were awarded to the American universities Harvard (Massachusetts), Berkeley and Stanford (both California).
Among the Top 100 world-wide, there are also five German universities. The LMU and TU Munich in Germany’s first and second place, as well as the Ruprecht Karls University Heidelberg as third German university. Further universities in the Top 100 are Bonn and Göttingen.
The Ruprecht Karls University Heidelberg, which was founded as early as 1386, belongs to the oldest universities in the whole world. Its slogan “From tradition into future” does not only illustrate its historical impact, but also its goal to progress for future. In the context of the excellence initiative, the University of Heidelberg was appointed one of Germany's few elite universities, which receive funds for the fostering of research and young academics. This pioneer position was also acknowledged by the makers of the Shanghai ranking, who referred to research as an indicator to develop their ranking – therefore they especially dealt with the number of Noble Prize winners and publications in scientific magazines.

18th August 2010

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Heidelberg and its poets

On Wednesday, August 4th 2010, language teacher Thomas Hübner gave a talk about Heidelberg’s Romanticism at the F+U Academy of Languages. Among the literary-interested audience, there were university students from the Czech Republic, Russia, and China. They all came to the talk to learn more about the literary background of the city, in which they are currently taking a language class.

Firstly, Thomas Hübner gave our international guests some background knowledge of European history, and then he talked about the era of Romanticism, using poems and paintings to illustrate his points. He especially dealt with poets who lived and worked in Heidelberg, as for instance Clemens von Brentano, and Bettina and Achim von Arnim.
In the end, the audience thanked their speaker for having been offered the opportunity to also learn something about literature at a language school. However, Thomas Hübner received the most recognition by a Chinese student of German, who said: “I have listened to a similar lecture at my university in China. Now I’m able to understand it better.” Considering such a success, this talk will definitively not be the last literary event at the F+U Academy of Languages.

8th August 2010

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„Give me an F! Give me a U! Languages are cool!“
As announced earlier, Heidelberg's 5th Dragon Boat Cup took place on Saturday, July 24th. The F+U team “Languages Make Waves” was one of the 52 competing groups.
As early as 8 am, the first drivers arrived at the Theodor-Heuss bridge. Then team briefings took place, and at 10:30 am our squad started its first race against three other boats. Two more runs followed, with the last one starting at 3pm. Despite great support and cheering slogans like “Give me an F! Give me a U! Languages are cool!”, our team had to settle with rank 4 in each of the runs.
Not only on the race track, but also next to it, people had a lot of fun. For instance, the F+U employees and students played ping-pong, or even rode a mechanic rodeo bull. Also plenty of visitors didn't want to miss out on this spectacle, and enjoyed a great day at the Neckar.

July 29th 2010

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“Languages Make Waves“– Also on the Neckar
On Saturday, July 24, 2010 the water sports club Heidelberg-Neuenheim e.V. will host Heidelberg’s 5th dragon boat cup. The starting line-up also includes the team “Languages Make Waves“, which consists of 18 employees and students of the F+U Academy of Languages. If you want to see how they perform throughout several runs on the 300 m long race track, you are invited to watch the spectacle near the Theodor-Heuss bridge. Besides the fun of the race, there will also be food and drinks, as well as a following dragon party for the teams and the audience. Good luck and success to our team, and a lot of fun to everybody!

July 23rd 2010

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An alternative way to learn prepositions

The lesson topic for today was the explanation of a route „Geradeaus bis zur Kirche, dann links bis zur Wapel, dort rechts in die Bahnhofsstraße.“ - quite complicated for students with elementary knowledge of German!

Teacher Thomas Hübner divided the course in three small groups. Each one got a city map with a route through Heidelberg-Neuenheim. At the school building started the socalled "Schnitzeljagd" (paper chase).

The first group had to lead the others towards Neuenheim, the second then through Neuenheim, the third back to school. All of them had to deal with the prepositions and were very successfully in it!

They had a lot of fun and learned the lesson of the day in a different, exciting way!

Back in school, teacher Thomas ended the short trip with the words „Wir sind zurück. Jetzt durch die Eingangstür, dann rechts den Gang entlang und dann

noch einmal links bis zum Klassenzimmer.“

March 18th 2010

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New course Foreign Language Correspondendents and European Secretaries has started

On Monday, March 8, the new training course for Foreign Language Correspondents and European Secretaries started with 25 students participating. After completion the graduates will find a variety of possibilities in industry and administration in Germany as well as abroad. Former graduates meanwhile organize international trade fairs, translate business letters, have challenging positions as management assistants or do internships in international companies in Argentina or the USA.

March 12th 2010

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DSH-Exams on January 23

On January 23 the DSH-Exam was conducted for the third time at the Academy of Languages with 159 candidates participating. 83 participants passed the exam as follows: One candidate reached DSH 3, the best result, 27 participants reached DSH 2 and 55 DSH 1.

February 13th 2010
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New Year's Eve's breakfast 2009 - Three German students on december 31st at language teacher Thomas Hübner's place

"Four of the B1 German course between Christmas and New Year's Day learned until the very last day of the year. As a thank you, their teacher Thomas Hübner invited them at his place for a breakfast together.
One of the students got the task to buy bread at the bakery - which he thought it was very easy. The baker confirmed that he ordered the bread in a very nice German! After the breakfast the students had to take the test that immigrants have to take in order to get the permit to stay in Germany. Even if these students did not need such a test, they proved to know very good about German politics, culture and history. At the end the students got some firecracker, in order to welcome the New Year properly.

January 10th 2010

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Excursion to the Heiligenberg

"On a Thursday morning in November the next German lesson in the book was called "Nature and environment". My students and I jumped at a chance and drove all the way up to the Heiligenberg ("mountain of the saints"), where we intended to learn our lesson. We met at the school's entrance and drove with two cars up to the mountain, enjoying the good mood and the sunny weather. We walked up the tower, where the students saw for the first time Heidelberg from a different point of view and were amazed. They started to take pictures. We walked then to the convent's ruins, a part of the natural park. Anyone of us brought something to eat, we made a very international picnic, with home made arabian cake and sushi."

Heidelberg, November 19th 2009
Thomas Hübner - German teacher

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The ICEF (International Consultants for Education and Fairs) organized Berlin Workshop, which is the annual „must-attend“ event for leading educational institutions worldwide, took place from November 1-3 in Berlin. During the workshop international educators have the possibility to talk to selected agencies, find new cooperation partners, deepen existing business relations and make contacts within the branch. Every year more than 1.600 participants from more than 80 countries and six continents attend the popular Berlin Workshop – this year there were even representatives from 92 countries. Within two days 22.744 business meetings took place – the organizers say that this has been the biggest Berlin Workshop so far. Of course, also the F+U Academy of Languages is a regular participant. The representatives, among them the Academy’s director, Mr. Rippel, the delegate for Eastern Europe, Ms. Vihharev and the delegate for Spain and Latin America, Ms. Bleickert, were able to conduct conversations with 80 agencies from 34 countries during the workshop.

November 4th 2009

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In July and August almost 800 students took part at the summer language courses at F+u Academy of Languages.

With over 5000 language students in 2008, F+U Academy of Languages is one of the biggest language schools in Germany. Many students book courses for one year, in order to prepare for the DSH exam and then study at a German university.
The F+U junior courses for children and teens from 7 to 15 years of age have become very popular.
September 11th 2009

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As translators graduates have many job possibilities: They work as employees and in an increasing measure as freelancers in industry, insurance companies and banks, in the administrative sector, in the area of media, with international organisations or in translation offices.

With the title „officially recognized translator“ that is protected by law, graduates can also be certified at the courts of their federal state and become a member at the German Association of Translators and Interpreters (BDÜ).

 

July 17th 2009

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Foreign language correspondence clerk

The first final examination in the special languages Japanese, Chinese and Polish was completed successfully! As Chinese has been the coming world and business language and many Japanese companies are in business relations with German enterprises and as even Polish is asked for as a business language, the graduates will find lots of possibilities on the job market. And they will have good chances with an application at a German subsidiary in the corresponding countries.

July 10th 2009

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Very soon we will welcome a mexican student at F+U Heidelberg. He will spend one year at our language school. His family is looking for an exchange student who would like to spend one year in Mexico.

June 30th 2009

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New deadline set for the next DSH-exam in Heidelberg (June 19th): Applications possible until June 8th!

May 31st 2009

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From now on an internet connection Wi-Fi is available at the apartments "Am Rathaus"

May 29th 2009

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Aika Matsuda - responsible for the japanese market at F+U Academy of Languages - just came back from her business trip to Japan.

May 18th 2009

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New German course: Learn German in the teacher's house - from now on! Read more about the home tuition.

May 14th 2009

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The next orientation course for the integration courses starts on June 22nd and lasts 2 weeks. At the end of the course a B1-exam will take place (applications until May 29th).

May 10th 2009

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There is no case of swine flu in Heidelberg and in Rhine-Neckar zone until now. Read more in this article (in German), appeared in the local newspaper Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung.

May 2nd 2009

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The language school F+U Heidelberg has been awarded with the "2009 Excellence Award" from Languagecourse.net, in recognition of language schools that consistently provide outstanding service and certifying an excellent overall service rating based on the evaluations of former students.

March 25th 2009

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Swedish students can apply for Study Grants for our language school in Heidelberg, since it is recognized by

CSN Sweden (Swedish National Board of Student Aid): Swedish students can study with State funded loans.

March 21st 2009

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4 hours in the lesson „German as foreign language“ or: How fast masculine, feminine, neuter can be turned into masculine, feminine, nature! - A report by Karina Schönfeld, trainee at F+U Academy of Languages

How do foreign pupils, who come to the Heidelberger language school F+U, learn my native language? This question I recently asked myself as a native German, currently trainee of the F+U. After 4 amusing hours within the class of Mr. Thomas Hübner I can answer this question as follows: With completely much fun, nice anecdotes from the life of the teacher and a prize seriousness.

Unsuspecting, what would happen to me in the following, I was marvelling, when in the first hour class members from at least 7 different countries in the world were presented to me.
Few minutes later I was in the role of a “grammatical experimental subject", at which the pupils should practice indirect questions. Between texts in the schoolbook and example sentences on the blackboard I learned, that the words “I am 23, physician and my Porsche is standing in front of the door” can be an important survival strategy for the one or other man.
With my second visit in the class definite and indefinite articles within the German language were the topic. Good thing that I was present, because an important question, which I had already often asked myself as a student of German studies, was answered: Yes, there is a difference between the expressions “dasselbe Buch” und “das gleiche Buch”.
All in all I enjoyed it very much to get an insight in these lessons. I find it great how the pupils help themselves mutually and how Mr. Hübner arranges his lessons.
In the end I have to mention one special thing: I am convinced of the fact that Mr. Hübner is the only one, who can explain the word “to react” by using the words “bee” and “florets in the green countryside”.

March 4th 2009

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Event on Thursday, March 5th - Excursions with SK-Studienreisen

Description: Mr. Allmendinger of SK-Studienreisen will introduce the excursions planned for the students of the F+U Academy of Languages.
Meeting point: room 12, 3 PM, free entrance.

March 3rd 2009

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Snow in Heidelberg

Sne, neige, yuki, neve, kar, nieve, snö . . . - there are probably about 1000 different expressions for the word „snow“. With average temperatures of 2°C and lots of snow some of these expressions should be currently a topic of conversation of the Heidelberger language students!

February 17th 2009

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Mexican pupils visiting Heidelberg for 4 months

In this year a group of young mexicans is already for the fourth time guest of the F&U language school Heidelberg. The 17 til 18 year old pupils, coming with 2 of their teachers to Germany, are learning the german language in the morning and having their regular school subjects in the afternoon. In order to learn the german culture and language much better, the pupils are well looked after in host families. A very interesting item on the programm of their stay is the viewing of important companies like Mercedes and Porsche, whereby they can gain an insight in the company culture of german concerns. A further highlight is a guided tour through the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

February 10th 2009

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Enrolments still possible for training as Foreign Language Correspondent and European Secretary!

On 02. March of 2009 a new training syllabus as Foreign Language Correspondent and European Executive Secretary will start again. The training can be completed in 3 ways: monolingual, bilingual or trilingual. In March you have the choice between the languages English, Spain and French. Further languages like German as foreign language, Japanese, Chinese, Turkish and Russian you can attend in the autumn semester. In parallel with your training you have the opportunity to attend a special course of study, which will take you to the graduation „Higher National Diploma“ (HND). This is a very important graduation for working in a English-speaking world. After getting the HND it is possible to attain the academic degreee „Bachelor in Business and Management“, which is equated with a german university degree.
Enrolments are welcome!

February 9th 2009