In collaboration with the TUD's Multimedia Language Learning Center (MSZ) and the Open University (UK), participants of the SprInt program can take part in an online language café (English-German) and exchange ideas on socially relevant, cultural, economic or political topics in an relaxed atmosphere. The virtual language café is professionally and didactically led by lecturers from the TUD and the Open University.

Procedure
The meetings are moderated by lecturers from the Open University and the TUD and are held bilingually. The focus is on conversation - language and culture should be experienced and discussed together. The virtual meetings are intended to:

• exchange views on current social, cultural and economic topics
• practise oral language skills and free speech
• hold discussions in small groups and in plenary sessions

All participants are familiar with the topics in advance and are given small work assignments to prepare for each session. Participation is documented so that it can be credited towards the respective certificates/degrees.

Scope and schedule
For the academic year 2024/25, eight virtual meetings with 2 TUs each are planned. The meetings will take place once a month and are planned from November 2024 to July 2025, usually on Thursday evenings from 19:00-20:30.

Participants
The specific target groups of the Virtual Exchange on the Open University side are German students at advanced levels in German from B1 to C1. These are mostly people who are already in the workforce and are completing their distance learning course at the Open University while working. On the TUD side, they are participants in the SPRINT program and students from B1 level English.

SprInt-Certificate
Participation in the language café can be credited as a module component comparable to the language learning app for the SprInt Certiciates “Language Expertise” and “Excellence - Language and Cultural Expertise”.

Further information and the link to registration can be found on the website of the Multimedia Language Learning Center.