About Us
Foreign language education is an integral component of all programs of study at the European University Viadrina; this is a result of the Viadrina’s international orientation. As a central academic institution of the University, the European University Viadrina’s Language Centre is responsible for planning and implementing foreign language training to complement all programs of study.
At present, the Language Centre offers courses in the following languages: German, English, Finnish, French, Polish, Russian, Swedish, Spanish, and Latin - for Law, Business Administration and Economics and Social and Cultural Studies. Courses are primarily taught by native speakers. The language training obtained through coursework leads from the acquisition of general language skills to professional language proficiency. The certificates offered by Viadrina’s Language Centre are accredited by Unicert®, a comprehensive university certification system. Both our language training programs and certificates exist in accordance with the Council of Europe’s Framework of Reference for language proficiency.
The goal of our language education is to prepare students for studying abroad and working in international contexts; however, this is not achieved solely by presenting language skills and facts about a county’s geography, history and important institutions. As members of the Viadrina community, students already live and learn in an intercultural environment; the Language Centre is a key contributor to the University's intercultural atmosphere.
Autonomous learning has a prominent role in the design of the Language Centre for reasons pertaining to both language acquisition and pedagogy in general. A multimedia Independent Learning Centre is available to students, which allows them original contact to the culture of the language being learned by using databases, interactive computer programs, satellite television and video. Students additionally have access to the information superhighway—that is, to e-mail and the internet. These resources enable students to engage in cross-continental, authentic communication with native speakers of the languages offered at the Language Centre. During classroom instruction, students are prepared for working in the Independent Learning Centre.
The Language Centre participates in numerous Central and Eastern European projects and is increasingly involved with international student exchanges.
In 2002, the viadrina sprachen gmbh was created as a spin off from the Viadrina’s Language Centre. Viadrina Sprachen GmbH exists to combine the Language Centre’s know-how with increased demand for language competence and translation both within and outside of the university; Viadrina Sprachen GmbH holds a contract with Viadrina—and because of this—is responsible for all beginning language courses at Viadrina’s Language Centre.