ESF Plus project: Study success through language, participation, integration and AI use (STIK) - language support

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Enrolment for the courses B1.1: "Participation - finding your way in everyday German life" and B1.1 "Professional mobility - transition to the labor market" will begin on March 30, 2026. Enrolment takes place exclusively via OPAL.

Funding

The European Union offers a variety of funding programs to support research and education as a valuable public good. Our project "STIK - Study success through language, participation, integration and AI use" is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Brief description

The project "Study success through language, participation, integration and AI use (STIK)" at TU Dresden aims to improve the academic success of international students in English-language Master's degree programs. The background to this is the increasing number of international students, high drop-out rates and linguistic, social and organizational challenges. The Teaching Center for Languages and Cultures (LSK) and the International Office (IO) of TU Dresden are working together on the project.

Project activities of the LSK

Promotion of linguistic participation, social integration and preparation for the job market through flexible language support courses during studies as blended learning and intensive courses for level B1
- Language module: "Participation - finding your way in everyday German life" (parts 1 and 2)
- Language module: "Transition into the job market" (parts 1 and 2)
Support for autonomous learning and promotion of digital skills, in particular the use of AI
- Use of AI-supported technologies for autonomous language training, targeted prompting and critical handling of AI-generated texts through interactive self-learning modules
- Portfolio work in the blended learning courses

Courses and course descriptions

The two language modules 1.1 and 1.2 are each divided into two courses (B1.1 and B1.2) of 4 SWS each. In the summer semester 2026, the new B1.1 language courses "Teilhabe - Zurechtfinden im deutschen Alltag" (Part 1) and "Übergang in den Arbeitsmarkt" (Part 1) will be offered for the first time, each comprising 4 SWS.

B1.1: "Participation - finding your way in everyday German life"

Qualification goals
After the course, students will have an advanced basic communicative competence. They will be able to

understand the main points of listening texts on topics from everyday life when spoken in clearly articulated standard language or a familiar variety
largely understand factual texts on topics related to their own interests and specialist areas
express themselves in detail and coherently on everyday topics orally and in writing
write simple official documents and
apply communication techniques such as summarizing, arguing and evaluating
take the initiative in conversations.

Contents
Students are given the language skills to clarify personal matters and everyday organizational issues in a German-speaking environment, e.g. in standard situations at the student employment agency, in counselling situations at the student union or in local counselling centres; when looking for accommodation or dealing with rental and other contractual matters. In addition, participants become familiar with communication in everyday life and at the university and learn about various opportunities for social, cultural and student participation in society. A special focus is placed on topics relating to the compatibility of studies/work and family. Students reflect on and discuss cultural differences in relation to family roles, childcare and professional or academic careers. The aim is to address women in particular and encourage them to become aware of the specific challenges and opportunities that arise when balancing work, studies and family life in Germany.
Students will work on written texts and audio texts, practise oral and written text production, develop relevant reading and listening strategies, grammatical structures and an extended vocabulary. They will develop skills and strategies to deal appropriately with linguistically more complex texts and conversational/lecture situations with the help of digital and AI-supported tools and independently expand their language skills

Teaching and learning methods, course book
4 SWS language course plus self-study (blended learning)
Textbook: "Spektrum Deutsch B1+" with additional interactive materials on the Moodle learning platform and additional activities. The self-study phases are both tutored and supported by AI.

Who can take part?
Students of TU Dresden can participate in the course, especially students of the English-language Master's degree programs.
ATTENTION: Unfortunately, participation is not possible for ERASMUS students or employees of the TUD.

Certificate, evaluation
Participants can obtain a certificate of successful course completion. The assessment takes place via "continuous assessment" as short, regular individual tests that are included in the overall portfolio. In order to receive a course certificate, the portfolio performance must be at least 60%.
The certificate cannot be credited for a graded language certificate as a language learning seminar, no credit points are awarded for this, as the course is not anchored in the subject study regulations.

Workload
The total workload is 150 hours. Of this, 60 hours are spent on attendance and 90 hours on self-study.

B1.1: "Professional mobility - transition to the labor market"

Qualification goals
Students have the ability to communicate independently in written and oral form related to their profession. They can:

understand uncomplicated factual information on common job-related topics
recognize the main information as well as individual pieces of information, provided that they articulate clearly
give a relatively fluent, uncomplicated but coherent description of their field of specialization
write uncomplicated, coherent texts on familiar topics from their own field of specialization.

Contents
Students will be able to communicate with a certain degree of confidence at B1 level in standard situations that arise in the application process and in everyday professional life as well as with colleagues. They learn how to deal with dissent and conflicts in language and are sensitized to possible cultural differences in communication.
The topics also include economic sectors and industries, professional and job profiles, basics of business communication, simulation of job-specific communication constellations, job application training.
They develop skills and strategies to deal appropriately with linguistically complex texts and conversation/presentation situations with the help of digital and AI-supported tools and to independently expand their language skills.

Applicability, examination, credit points
The language learning seminar can be credited as a module in the study regulations of the respective degree program and is a prerequisite for level B1.2.
The course is completed with a language examination (90 minutes). 5 credit points are earned if the course is credited as a language learning seminar, unless otherwise specified in the study regulations and the examination has been passed. The module grade corresponds to the grade of the examination.

Workload
The total workload is 150 hours. Of this, 60 hours are spent on attendance and 90 hours on self-study, including exam preparation and taking the exam.

Contact

Project Management

Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin

Ms Antje Neuhoff

Leitung MSZ

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Multimedia Language Center (MSZ)

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