German sign language courses at the TU Dresden

In the 2026–27 winter semester, the Unit Diversity Management , in collaboration with the Student Council (StuRa), will once again offer in-person and online courses in German Sign Language (DGS). The courses are intended for students and staff at TU Dresden.

© Andriy Popov Ressource

The next courses start:

• 1 introductory course, 1 advanced course (Face-to-face courses): Mondays, from 20.10.2026 bis 09.02.2027,  2:50–4:20 p.m.

• 1 advanced course (Face-to-face courses): Mondays, from 20.10.2026 bis 09.02.2027, 4:40–6:10 p.m.

Registration takes place via OPAL with a valid ZIH login. Course registration is expected to begin on October 8, 2026.

Tip: If you would like to be informed by e-mail on the day of activation, simply write to to be added to the mailing list of interested parties. (All former participants are already registered there).

What can you expect in the course?

Our courses offer an introductory approach to German Sign Language - including cultural insights and special communicative features:

• Sensitization for non-verbal communication (facial expressions, gestures, body language)
• Acquisition of the finger alphabet
• Basic gestures for everyday and professional life
• Interactive exercises in a relaxed learning atmosphere

DGS is an independent visual-gestural language with its own grammar and long history. It has been officially recognized as a separate language in Germany since 2002. The course not only helps to teach sign language as a "language", but also as an access to a different way of perception and communication.

New: Our FAQ page

Do you have questions about the courses, sign language, or deaf culture?
Then visit our new section:
► FAQ about sign language and DGS courses at TU Dresden.

There you will find answers, background information, and practical tips - compact, easy to understand,d and regularly updated.

Recommendation: First-hand news

You can also read the exciting interviews with our lecturers on DGS courses - on learning paths, deaf culture, and what you perceive in DGS when language becomes visible.

Interview with:

• Alexander Adler  (from GebärdenVerstehen)
• Sabine Flohr (from Scouts-Gebärdensprache für alle)
• Petra Novotná (from Scouts-Gebärdensprache für alle)
• Marvin Zehner (from GebärdenVerstehen)

© Crispin-Iven Mokry

Interview with lecturer Petra Novotná

In addition to barriers and wishes for politics and society, her interview is also about dreams, languages, the happiness of being yourself, and the appeal of “aha” experiences. Learn more

© Marvin Zehner

Interview with lecturer Marvin Zehner

Marvin talks to us about barriers and wishes for politics and society. But it's also about dreams, languages, the happiness of being yourself, and the appeal of aha-experiences. Experience now

© Crispin-Iven Mokry

Sign language

Sign language is a natural language that is used for communication, especially by non-hearing and hearing-impaired people. It is a native language. Around 200,000 people in Germany speak German sign language. Around 80,000 of these are deaf. Sign language forms the social and cultural foundation of the German sign language community. Learn more

Notes on the course

• The following courses will be offered in WS 2026/27:
  • Introductory courses: 1 face-to-face course
  • Advanced courses:  1 face-to-face course
  • Conversation course or Online Course: Hopefully, it will continue in the summer semester of 2027
• All courses take place weekly. The course sessions last 90 minutes and are based on the regular lecture times. There are 13 dates per course.
• During the 13th session, students will have the opportunity to take an exam (voluntary and ungraded); unfortunately, no alternative or make-up exam dates are available.
• At the beginning, participants may be unaccustomed to the fact that there is no spoken language at all in the courses; the audio level remains muted in the digital version.
• Communication in the courses takes place almost exclusively via sign language, only sometimes the chat function is used as a substitute/ or written on slips of paper.
• Further information on the individual courses via the OPAL platform

Registration

Registration for the courses takes place via the Center for Continuing Education (ZfW), from now on via the OPAL platform. The new dates for WS 2025/26 will be published here shortly

Introductory courses

Tuesdays: 14:50 - 16:20, from October 20, 2026 - February 09, 2027 - face-to-face1 Language course a) : Registration DGS introductory course - face-to-face format

Advanced courses

Tuesdays: 16:40 - 18:10, from October 20, 2026 - February 09, 2027 - face-to-face1
Language course b) : Registration DGS advanced course - face-to-face format

Conversation course

Conversation course: Hopefully, it will continue in the summer semester of 2027

© Nils Eisfeld

Coordinator for Inclusion

Name

Anna Drum M.A.

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Contact Information

Organization Name

Unit 9.3 Diversity Management

Unit 9.3 Diversity Management

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Visiting address:

Verwaltungsgebäude 3, Room 218 Nöthnitzer Str. 43

01187 Dresden

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