German Toolkit - German as a Foreign Language
The Business Language Center provides a wide variety of opportunities for learning German and improving existing language skills. On these pages we provide an overview of our materials and services, including a selection of especially useful books and electronic resources. For detailed information please refer to our helpdesk. Have fun learning German!
Learning German in the Business Language Center
| SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING | Books, magazines, audio recordings, Busuu (App) | Language Resource Center in building LC |
| LANGUAGE CAFÉ | Improve your language skills in a relaxed atmosphere | Once per month in the Language Resource Center For dates and further information |
| TANDEM LEARNING | Language exchange program hosted by the Language Resource Center | For more details and registration info |
| ÖSD | The Austrian Language Certificate for levels C1 and C2 can be taken directly at WU. | For registration and further details |
| LANGUAGE COURSES | Language courses for German and many other languages are offered every semester. | Further information |
New in Vienna or Austria?
A set of informative and useful materials is offered for everyone new to Vienna, including German speakers. All materials pertaining specifically to Vienna are located in the lounge, shelved under “Vienna.” Books on Cultural Studies can be found on shelf #2. All books in the Language Resource Center can be borrowed.
| Category | Materials | Location |
|---|---|---|
| CategoryHistory, Culture, Art | Materials
| LocationCultural Stuides (shelf #2) |
| Category | Materials
| LocationVienna (lounge area) |
| CategoryTravel Guides | MaterialsGerman
| LocationVienna (lounge) |
| Category | Materials
| LocationCultural Studies (shelf #2) |
| CategoryMovies | Materials
| LocationAvailable at the helpdesk for borrowing |
Beginners
If you have just started learning German (A1-A2), the materials below can be a good supplement for language courses. All books listed here are in shelf #2.
| Based on ... | Materials | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Based on ...Albanian | Materials
| LocationGerman for Beginners |
| Based on ...Arabic | Materials
| LocationGerman for Beginners |
| Based on ... | Materials
| LocationGrammar |
| Based on ...Chinese | Materials
| LocationGrammar |
| Based on ...German | Materials
| LocationWriting |
| Based on ... | Materials
| LocationExercises |
| Based on ... | Materials
| LocationGrammar |
| Based on ...English | Materials
| LocationSelf-Study Courses |
| Based on ... | Materials
| LocationSelf-Study Courses |
| Based on ... | Materials
| LocationVocabulary |
| Based on ...French | Materials
| LocationGerman for Beginners |
| Based on ... | Materials
| LocationGrammar |
| Based on ...Italian | Materials
| LocationGerman for Beginners |
| Based on ... | Materials
| LocationGrammar |
| Based on ...Persian/Farsi | Materials
| LocationGerman for Beginners |
| Based on ...Polish | Materials
| LocationGerman for Beginners |
| Based on ... | Materials
| LocationSelf-Study Courses |
| Based on ...Romanian | Materials
| LocationGerman for Beginners |
| Based on ...Russian | Materials
| LocationGerman for Beginners |
| Based on ... | Materials
| LocationSelf-Study Courses |
| Based on ... | Materials
| LocationGrammar |
| Based on ...Spanish | Materials
| LocationGerman for Beginners |
| Based on ... | Materials
| LocationGrammar |
| Based on ... | Materials
| LocationSelf-Study Courses |
| Based on ...Turkish | Materials
| LocationGerman for Beginners |
| Based on ... | Materials
| LocationGrammar |
Intermediate Learners
The following books are particularly useful for learners at level B1-B2:
| Category | Materials | Location |
|---|---|---|
| CategoryGrammar | Materials
| LocationGrammar |
| Category | Materials
| LocationExercises |
| CategoryVocabulary | Materials
| LocationVocabulary |
| Category | Materials
| LocationExercises |
| CategorySpeaking, Listening | Materials
| LocationExercises |
| Category | Materials
| LocationAudiobooks |
| CategoryWriting | Materials
| LocationWriting |
| Category | Materials
| LocationExercises |
| CategoryCampus Deutsch | MaterialsBook series (B2-C1)
| LocationCourse relevant materials |
| CategoryReading | Materials
| LocationReadingBook & Movies (Loung area) |
| CategoryLanguage Learning Magazines | Materials
| LocationRecent issues in the lounge areaPrevious issues on the shelf next to the entranceWith Audio CDs |
Course Books
All language books used in courses at WU and elsewhere are in on shelf #2. Course books can be borrowed up to 18 weeks.
Movies, TV Channels, Internet
Movies on DVD can be found on shelf #3. Access to IPTV is provided via desktop icon on all PCs in the Language Resource Center. The five tablets in the lounge can also be used for accessing online media.
| Category | Materials | Location |
|---|---|---|
| CategoryTV | MaterialsORF TVThek
| Locationon.orf.at |
| Category | MaterialsPrivate TV stations from Austria with a media library (selection)
| Locationpuls4.com atv.at servus.com/at/tv okto.tv |
| Category | Materials
| Locationardmediathek.de zdf.de |
| Category | MaterialsARTE
| Locationarte.tv |
| Category | Materials3Sat
| Location3sat.de |
| Category | MaterialsEuronews
| Locationde.euronews.com |
| CategoryRadio | MaterialsÖ1
| Locationoe1.orf.at |
| Category | MaterialsFalter Radio (podcast by a Viennese weekly newspaper) | Locationfalter.at/falter/radio |
| CategoryOnline Materials | MaterialsMein Sprachportal(services provided by the Austrian Integration Fund) | Locationsprachportal.integrationsfonds.at |
| Category | MaterialsDeutsch.info (free online course for all language levels) | Locationdeutsch.info |
| Category | MaterialsSlowgerman (listening exercises) | LocationSlowgerman.com |
ÖSD
The Center for Business Languages is a certified examination center for ÖSD, the Austrian Language Certificate. Exams are offered for levels C1, and C2. For studying at WU level C1 is required. The examination is open to everyone. For details see the respective info sheet and our website. To register for an exam go toour ÖSD website. All test preparation books can be found on shelf #2 in the section Language Proficiency Tests (Sprachzertifikate).
| Materials | Location |
|---|---|
Materials
| LocationLanguage proficiency tests (shelf #2) |
Mobile Language Learning with BUSUU
You prefer to learn languages online and autonomously on a mobile device? Our new service from October 2021 might just be the right choice for you: A free semester of Busuu premium. Busuu is a language learning app for 12 languages: English, Spanish, German, Japanese, French, Italian, Russian, Arabic, Turkish, Polish, Chinese and Portuguese. You can check how Busuu works on their website. We recommend Busuu as a supplement to the Tandem language learning program or a language course at WU. The offer is open to WU students and incoming exchange students only.
How to get your free semester of Busuu premium:
Fill in the questionnaire for language counseling
Make an appointment
Define objectives in a language counseling session
Receive a voucher for 6 months of Busuu Premium
Check your progress in a reflection interview
Language Café
Join our Language Cafés and improve your language skills in a relaxed atmosphere. Language Cafés take place in the Language Resource Center (building LC, level +2, inside the library). You’ll find conversation tables for German, Spanish, French and Italian.
Prior registration is not required. Students and everyone with a library cart can join. Dates and further information can be found on our website.
Language Courses
Our courses follow modern didactic principles and are taught by highly qualified teachers. Usually, they take place directly on the WU Campus, most of them in the language labs of the Language Resource Center. German courses range from complete beginners (A1) to a very advanced level (C1, C2).
From the very first lesson, you will communicate in the foreign language. Different state-of-the-art methods (involving group activities, role-plays, written exercises, instruction by the teacher etc.) guarantee your progress. Our highly qualified teachers will give you regular feedback and advise you on learning strategies. Prior to each semester free online sample lessons are provided.
Further information.