Exchange of TU9 Universities on German as a foreign language (DaF)

On November 7, 2025, representatives of the German as a Foreign Language (DaF) departments of Germany's nine leading technical universities (TU9) came together for their annual meeting at Leibniz Universität Hannover. The host institution, the Leibniz Language Centre (LLC), invited participants to an intensive exchange on current developments, structural challenges and prospects for the subject at technical universities.

The discussions focused on the question of how universities can meet the growing demand for German as a key to academic and professional integration, while at the same time many institutions are confronted with tight financial framework conditions.

© LUH Leibniz Language Centre / TU Dresden

The following topics were discussed in several thematic blocks:

• German in English-language degree programs: curricular anchoring, elective models and hurdles in degree program planning,

• Performance assessment in study-related language courses: examination formats, assessment practices and the influence of AI on writing skills,

• Career-related language support and internationalization: courses, certificates and cooperation with career centers,

• German (and English)university entrance examinations : Academic success through accurate assessment of linguistic study skills,

• as well as the effects of current cuts on courses, staff structures and quality assurance in the area of German as a foreign language.

In addition to substantive debates, the meeting also provided space for collegial consultation, the exchange of proven concepts and the development of common positions within TU9. Participants included RWTH Aachen University, TU Berlin, TU Braunschweig, TU Darmstadt, TU Dresden, Leibniz Universität Hannover, KIT Karlsruhe and TU Munich.

The next meeting is planned for November 2026 at TU Darmstadt.

© LUH Leibniz Language Centre / TU Dresden

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