Development of the Language Center

The Language Center at Nuremberg Institute of Technology is the result of a project launched in 2006 by the University Management as part of its university internationalisation programme. At the start of the project in the winter semester of 2006/2007, around 200 students took up the offer. By winter semester of 2008/2009, over 2000 people were regularly benefiting from the Language Center’s courses. Off the back of this great success, the Language Center project was transformed into an independent institute at the university in the summer of 2009 and affiliated to the Faculty of Applied Mathematics, Physics and Humanities (AMP) . The university’s full range of language courses has been brought together under the Language Center, and developed and expanded to include programmes to foster the internationalisation of the university. This includes all the required languages in degree programme curriculums at Nuremberg Tech as well as a comprehensive range of electives for all students, irrespective of their chosen degree programme. The LC now has partnerships with the Lutheran University of Applied Sciences Nuremberg and the Nuremberg University of Music. Each semester, the Language Center also welcomes numerous people from outside the university who come to take advantage of the courses and programmes it offers.  A further pillar of the services offered is the assessment and qualification of international study applicants, as the Language Center is also a certified test center for the German Language Examination for University Admission (DSH). As one of the largest examination centers in Bavaria, the Language Center has multiple sessions per year for up to 160 international study applicants to sit the DSH or take an intensive language course in preparation for the exam. As of winter semester of 2022/23, the Language Center has a team of 14 employees and two associated professor from the Faculty of Applied Mathematics, Physics and Humanities. The institute is managed by an academic director and a managing director. Around 50 highly qualified teachers offer more than 250 courses per semester under the LC’s management. On average, one quarter of all students at Nuremberg Tech now takes a language course each semester, either as a required course or an elective, as part of their studies. This comes to around 3000 participants per semester. In addition to its comprehensive range of offerings for students, the Language Center has also become a driving force for the internationalisation of the university. The language courses form an integral part of internal professional development, and are also open to employees of Nuremberg Tech. The Language Center is an important source of advice for matters associated with foreign languages and intercultural skills for the Faculties and departments at Nuremberg Tech. In addition, the Language Center advises and supports the university in English-language publications, and translates internal documents for regular university administration.