F+U Academy of Languages Heidelberg
The Academy of Languages, the centerpiece of the F+U group, is one of the largest language schools and test centers for foreign languages in Germany.
The language school is high in terms of quality and quantity: 8,500 students from over 120 countries attend language courses each year, attracted by the high quality of the language teachers, small classes and the state-of-the art technical equipment. Although F+U’s specialist area is German as a Foreign Language, all the UN- and EU-languages are taught, e.g. French, English, Chinese and Arabic. On request, language classes are arranged for less popular languages, e.g. Bulgarian, Romanian or Hebrew.
As a Test Centre, F+U offers the largest variety of international assessments in Germany: For English F+U offers the following assessments TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication), LCCI (London Chamber of Commerce and Industry), for German, TestDaF ( Test für Deutsch als Fremdsprache), DSH ( deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang), TestAs (Certification to demonstrate international applicants’ suitability for study) and TELC (The European Language Certificate). In cooperation with the Institut de Francais if2, the students have the possibility to take the DELF and DALF exams. Special language courses support the detailed preparation needed for the respective assessments and to ensure success.
In 2004, a third field of excellence was opened: the Vocational School for Foreign Languages. Students can study for the state recognized qualifications of Foreign Language Correspondent Clerk (Fremdsprachensekretär/in), World Trade Correspondent Clerk (state recognition pending; Welthandelskorrespondent/in) European Secretary (Europasekretär/in) and Translator (Übersetzer/in). The languages of choice are English, French, Spanish and Russian. Unique to the F+U group is the possibility to acquire a state-recognized qualification for the Japanese and also Chinese language.
Since the Academy of Languages and the Vocational School for Foreign Languages are situated in the same building, the students often mingle and form language tandems (Sprach-Tandems), improving their language abilities, gain inside knowledge about the partner’s country and create friendships.
The mix between professional education, voluntary study groups and the international backgrounds of the students creates a lasting impression.