Staff Classes

University-specific English Classes for Administrative Staff

Would you like to enhance your English language skills and discuss different UHH related topics with your work colleagues? In addition to grammar, our courses for employees also impart university-specific vocabulary such as “Studienbüro” and “Berufungskommission” whilst also tying in typical conversational and communication situations from everyday professional life at our university.

Classes run from week 15 to week 28. All our staff classes are offered as online classes.

We also respond to your study and topic requests so that you can acquire, maintain and enhance your language skills to meet your needs.

The courses are offered at the following levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR):

Courses in the summer semester 2024:

Level	Topics	Target group	Place and time	Lecturer
B2	*The language of telephoning *Writing emails and letters *Intercultural differences *Providing information on the faculty/your area of work *Presentation techniques *International meetings with suppliers/universities etc. *University-specific vocabulary	technical, library and administrative staff	From 09.04. Tuesdays: 12:15-13:15	Orla Mac Mahon
B2/C1	*Writing stylistically correct official emails and letters *Intercultural differences *The language of telephoning *University-specific vocabulary *Providing information on the faculty/your area of work *Presentation techniques *International meetings *FAQ etc.	academic staff, technical, library and administrative staff	From 10.04. Wednesdays: 12:15-13:15	Dr. Peter James Witchalls
C1+	Presenting & Discussing in English with Confidence & Competence Would you like to be able to both present and discuss more confidently in English? In this course we will be demonstrating good presentation and debating practices through diverse voice, language and nonverbal training exercises. You will then have the opportunity to give a short talk on an academic topic that is important for your professional life after which we will launch into a dynamic discussion, with troubleshooting on the language used. You will become more fluent and proficient, understanding the underlying principles of good communication and have ample opportunity to discuss many topics connected to Universität Hamburg. Look forward to seeing you in class!		From 11.04. Thursdays: 12:15-13:15	Dr. Peter James Witchalls

The university-specific English courses for employees are offered in cooperation with the Human Resource Development Department of Universität Hamburg.

 

Compact courses

The Language Centre also offers 6-week compact courses (90 minutes per week).
The compact courses also take place online and are focussed on common university-specific situations.

 

Compact course 1 (Level B2/C1)

This course focuses on improving oral expression in a university environment. Three main areas
will be addressed: participating in international meetings, advising and giving feedback and
socialising and networking at international conferences.
In the course we will look at how to choose the appropriate language and tone and how to
develop conversation techniques. The acquisition of essential vocabulary and phrases, necessary
for each situation, will be an integral part of each session. The goal of this course is to enhance
confidence and fluency in using English in daily university life

Online workshop Wednesdays 11:45 AM - 1:15 PM
Date: 17.04-29.05.

 
Compact Course 2 (Level B2/C1)

English is undoubtedly the lingua franca of academia, which means that developing the necessary
skills for clear and concise written and oral communication have become essential. The primary
focus of this course will be on telephone and email communication, including how to manage
virtual meetings. Writing reports and meeting minutes will also be addressed, in particular the use
of digital tools and how they can be best applied to lighten the workload.
The course will examine the use of standard phrases, the difference between formal and informal
styles and focus on how to communicate precisely, effectively and professionally in English.

Online workshop Wednesdays 11:45 AM - 13:15 PM
Date: 05.06-10.07.