Language skills
Programme length
Full time study for one academic year
Study mode
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Application status
International students:
Students with Icelandic or Nordic citizenship:
- Do you want a short but practical language programme?
- Are you interested in the culture and history of Germany?
- Do you like languages?
- Do you speak German?
Most of the credits from this diploma can be transferred to the BA programme if you decide to continue studying German. This programme can be completed through distance learning.
The diploma is designed for people who want to prepare for careers that require general and work-related German skills, including German for business, tourism or international relations. It also prepares students to work and study in German-speaking countries.
Course topics include:
- Speech and communication
- Grammar and pronunciation
- Practical German for business
Objectives
The objective of the one-year diploma in German and the programme in practical German is that students should:
- improve their skills in spoken and written German and expand their vocabulary, particularly in the area of professional German
- prepare for using German at work, e.g. in tourism, trade and administration.
Teaching methods
German is mainly taught through practice and discussion sessions with some lectures; assignments, projects and essays are also an important part of the programme.
It is possible to take a 90 ECTS diploma in practical German for business.
Icelandic matriculation examination (stúdentspróf: school leaving examination from secondary school) or equivalent qualification.
Students should be at A2 level as defined in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The study programme is not suited for absolute beginners, who should attend the courses German for Beginners I and II.
Most courses are mandatory. However, two spring term courses (together 12 ECTS) are „restricted elective courses“, where students are required to choose between two courses in each case. The aim of the programme is to prepare students for work in e.g tourism, business and international relations, as well as for work and studies in German-speaking countries. The main emphasis is on applied German, cultural literacy and the societies of the German-speaking countries.
Programme structure
Check below to see how the programme is structured.
This programme does not offer specialisations.
- Year unspecified
- Fall
- German Pronunciation
- German for Special Purposes I
- German Language I
- Writing Skills in German I
- Spoken German Skills I
- German Grammar I
- Spring 1
- Writing Skills in German II: Translation into German
- German for Tourism A: Introducing Iceland to German-Speaking Tourists
- German for Tourism B: Guiding
- Spoken German Skills II: Retelling, Compilation and Debating
- Spoken Language Skills Course in Germany
- The German-Speaking Countries I
- German for Special Purposes II
- German Grammar II
Year unspecified | Fall
German Pronunciation (ÞÝS101G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
2 ECTS, credits
Course Description
Pronunciation exercises in the language laboratory.
Language of instruction: German
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Year unspecified | Fall
German for Special Purposes I (ÞÝS102G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
4 ECTS, credits
Course Description
The reading and writing of practical texts; use of spoken German for various and special purposes. Protocol, communications, and product promotions in business in German-speaking countries. Traditions and unwritten rules of business in the German-language regions. Further information on the form and content of the course will be made available at the beginning of the semester.
Language of instruction: German
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Year unspecified | Fall
German Language I (ÞÝS103G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
6 ECTS, credits
Course Description
To be able to cope with the very different levels of German of the students at the beginning of their studies, this course will start with an assessment test and then presumably be split up into two groups.
For all students, who are not yet on level B1, the course will be taught as a language course at A2 to B1 level. In this course the students will work with a textbook and do exercises in writing, listening and reading (and, to some extent, speaking). There will be short tests during the semester.
If the course will be split in two groups, a B1+ course will be established that will address modern German grammar and vocabulary in different ways. The work in the course is based on a variety of exercises discussed and corrected in class containing grammar, vocabulary and textual exercises. Common errors made by foreign learners of German will be discussed. Furthermore, translations into German and German pronunciation rules on the basis of phonetic transcription will be addressed.
All students (both students on A2-B1 level and students on B1+ level) work autonomously with the book "Deutsche Grammatik 2.0 - Übungsbuch 2" which is meant for self-directed learning.
Language of instruction: German
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Year unspecified | Fall
Writing Skills in German I (ÞÝS105G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
6 ECTS, credits
Course Description
Short writing assignments consisting of descriptions of various kinds, including people, places and events. Additional supportive oral descriptions and vocabulary exercises. The work in the course is based on group work and class discussion.
Language of instruction: German
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Year unspecified | Fall
Spoken German Skills I (ÞÝS106G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
6 ECTS, credits
Course Description
The main aim of this course is for students to gain a good command of German for communicative purposes. Special emphasis will be on written language and aural comprehension. Students will present short papers on various subjects. Various audio-visual aids will be used (e.g. computers, tapes, videos, as well as written texts). The course will be taught both in one large group and in much smaller groups of 2-4 participants.
Language of instruction: German
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Year unspecified | Fall
German Grammar I (ÞÝS108G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
6 ECTS, credits
Course Description
Generally speaking modern German grammar is taught in a combination of lectures and seminars.
Various aspects of the verbal system (except for the subjunctive) will in particular be the focus of attention.
Assignments will be discussed and mainly corrected in class. At regular intervals short tests will show the students their actual state of grammatical skills.
Language of instruction: German
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Year unspecified | Spring 1
Writing Skills in German II: Translation into German (ÞÝS201G, ÞÝS420G, ÞÝS417G)
Restricted elective course, conditions apply
6 ECTS, credits
Course Description
Short translation assignments with an emphasis on practical vocabulary and common aspects of German grammar. Close attention will be paid to error analysis and stylistic technique. Students get advance information about special difficulties in each translation. - Exercises on common errors made by foreign learners of German.
Students hand in written assignments, take partial exams and prepare for translations which are made collectively in class. In class, students engage in discussions about translation errors, problems and alternatives.
Language of instruction: German
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Year unspecified | Spring 1
German for Tourism A: Introducing Iceland to German-Speaking Tourists (ÞÝS201G, ÞÝS420G, ÞÝS417G)
Restricted elective course, conditions apply
6 ECTS, credits
Course Description
A study will be made of texts (booklets and other advertising material in German) from the tourist industry with reference to their content and language use. The course also aims at improving the dissemination of information to German-speaking tourists, both orally and in writing.
Language of instruction: German
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Year unspecified | Spring 1
German for Tourism B: Guiding (ÞÝS201G, ÞÝS420G, ÞÝS417G)
Restricted elective course, conditions apply
6 ECTS, credits
Course Description
Students will be trained presenting Icelandic subjects, such as literature, culture, society, fauna and the nature of Iceland to German speaking tourists. Emphasis on oral presentation. Students will be trained in the vocabulary that is used in guides for German speaking tourists. Presentation of German literature where Iceland is presented.
Language of instruction: German
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Year unspecified | Spring 1
Spoken German Skills II: Retelling, Compilation and Debating (ÞÝS207G, ÞÝS208G)
Restricted elective course, conditions apply
6 ECTS, credits
Course Description
The course offers training in the retelling and summarising of texts in a an organised and succinct manner. Classes in debating and the application of vocabulary generally used in an exchange of views. Teaching will be both in one large group and in smaller groups of 2-4 persons. If student enrolment is high, the large group will also be divided into two. If ÞÝS208G takes place this course will not be held. Students who do not go to Tübingen can, however, get the credits for this course by taking an oral exam.
Language of instruction: German
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Year unspecified | Spring 1
Spoken Language Skills Course in Germany (ÞÝS207G, ÞÝS208G)
Restricted elective course, conditions apply
6 ECTS, credits
Course Description
A two-week intensive course in German language skills in February in Germany. If this takes place it will replace course ÞÝS207G Spoken German Skills II. (See also ÞÝS207G).
Language of instruction: German
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Year unspecified | Spring 1
The German-Speaking Countries I (ÞÝS203G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
6 ECTS, credits
Course Description
The course deals with the following aspects of the German-speaking countries: geography and places of interest; politics, economics, environmental issues and social structures; educational systems; media; daily life.
Language of instruction: German
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Year unspecified | Spring 1
German for Special Purposes II (ÞÝS204G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
6 ECTS, credits
Course Description
The reading and writing of practical texts; use of spoken German for various and special purposes. Protocol, communications, and product promotions in business in German-speaking countries. Traditions and unwritten rules of business in the German-language regions. Skills needed in making deals and contracts. Continuation of German for Special Purposes I.
Language of instruction: German
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Year unspecified | Spring 1
German Grammar II (ÞÝS206G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
6 ECTS, credits
Course Description
A direct, yet independent continuation of ÞÝS108G German Grammar I.
We will start with the subjunctive, then other parts of speech, for example nouns, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions, negatives etc. will be dealt with.
Assignments will be discussed and mainly corrected in class. At regular intervals short tests will show the students their actual state of grammatical skills.
Language of instruction: German
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Year unspecified
- Fall
- ÞÝS101GGerman PronunciationMandatory (required) course2A mandatory (required) course for the programme2 ECTS, creditsCourse Description
Pronunciation exercises in the language laboratory.
Face-to-face learningDistance learningPrerequisitesÞÝS102GGerman for Special Purposes IMandatory (required) course4A mandatory (required) course for the programme4 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThe reading and writing of practical texts; use of spoken German for various and special purposes. Protocol, communications, and product promotions in business in German-speaking countries. Traditions and unwritten rules of business in the German-language regions. Further information on the form and content of the course will be made available at the beginning of the semester.
Face-to-face learningDistance learningPrerequisitesÞÝS103GGerman Language IMandatory (required) course6A mandatory (required) course for the programme6 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionTo be able to cope with the very different levels of German of the students at the beginning of their studies, this course will start with an assessment test and then presumably be split up into two groups.
For all students, who are not yet on level B1, the course will be taught as a language course at A2 to B1 level. In this course the students will work with a textbook and do exercises in writing, listening and reading (and, to some extent, speaking). There will be short tests during the semester.
If the course will be split in two groups, a B1+ course will be established that will address modern German grammar and vocabulary in different ways. The work in the course is based on a variety of exercises discussed and corrected in class containing grammar, vocabulary and textual exercises. Common errors made by foreign learners of German will be discussed. Furthermore, translations into German and German pronunciation rules on the basis of phonetic transcription will be addressed.
All students (both students on A2-B1 level and students on B1+ level) work autonomously with the book "Deutsche Grammatik 2.0 - Übungsbuch 2" which is meant for self-directed learning.
Face-to-face learningDistance learningPrerequisitesÞÝS105GWriting Skills in German IMandatory (required) course6A mandatory (required) course for the programme6 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionShort writing assignments consisting of descriptions of various kinds, including people, places and events. Additional supportive oral descriptions and vocabulary exercises. The work in the course is based on group work and class discussion.
Face-to-face learningDistance learningPrerequisitesÞÝS106GSpoken German Skills IMandatory (required) course6A mandatory (required) course for the programme6 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThe main aim of this course is for students to gain a good command of German for communicative purposes. Special emphasis will be on written language and aural comprehension. Students will present short papers on various subjects. Various audio-visual aids will be used (e.g. computers, tapes, videos, as well as written texts). The course will be taught both in one large group and in much smaller groups of 2-4 participants.
Face-to-face learningDistance learningPrerequisitesÞÝS108GGerman Grammar IMandatory (required) course6A mandatory (required) course for the programme6 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionGenerally speaking modern German grammar is taught in a combination of lectures and seminars.
Various aspects of the verbal system (except for the subjunctive) will in particular be the focus of attention.
Assignments will be discussed and mainly corrected in class. At regular intervals short tests will show the students their actual state of grammatical skills.
Face-to-face learningDistance learningPrerequisites- Spring 2
ÞÝS201G, ÞÝS420G, ÞÝS417GWriting Skills in German II: Translation into GermanRestricted elective course6Restricted elective course, conditions apply6 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionShort translation assignments with an emphasis on practical vocabulary and common aspects of German grammar. Close attention will be paid to error analysis and stylistic technique. Students get advance information about special difficulties in each translation. - Exercises on common errors made by foreign learners of German.
Students hand in written assignments, take partial exams and prepare for translations which are made collectively in class. In class, students engage in discussions about translation errors, problems and alternatives.
Face-to-face learningDistance learningPrerequisitesNot taught this semesterÞÝS201G, ÞÝS420G, ÞÝS417GGerman for Tourism A: Introducing Iceland to German-Speaking TouristsRestricted elective course6Restricted elective course, conditions apply6 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionA study will be made of texts (booklets and other advertising material in German) from the tourist industry with reference to their content and language use. The course also aims at improving the dissemination of information to German-speaking tourists, both orally and in writing.
Face-to-face learningDistance learningPrerequisitesÞÝS201G, ÞÝS420G, ÞÝS417GGerman for Tourism B: GuidingRestricted elective course6Restricted elective course, conditions apply6 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionStudents will be trained presenting Icelandic subjects, such as literature, culture, society, fauna and the nature of Iceland to German speaking tourists. Emphasis on oral presentation. Students will be trained in the vocabulary that is used in guides for German speaking tourists. Presentation of German literature where Iceland is presented.
Face-to-face learningDistance learningPrerequisitesÞÝS207G, ÞÝS208GSpoken German Skills II: Retelling, Compilation and DebatingRestricted elective course6Restricted elective course, conditions apply6 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThe course offers training in the retelling and summarising of texts in a an organised and succinct manner. Classes in debating and the application of vocabulary generally used in an exchange of views. Teaching will be both in one large group and in smaller groups of 2-4 persons. If student enrolment is high, the large group will also be divided into two. If ÞÝS208G takes place this course will not be held. Students who do not go to Tübingen can, however, get the credits for this course by taking an oral exam.
Face-to-face learningDistance learningPrerequisitesÞÝS207G, ÞÝS208GSpoken Language Skills Course in GermanyRestricted elective course6Restricted elective course, conditions apply6 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionA two-week intensive course in German language skills in February in Germany. If this takes place it will replace course ÞÝS207G Spoken German Skills II. (See also ÞÝS207G).
Face-to-face learningDistance learningPrerequisitesÞÝS203GThe German-Speaking Countries IMandatory (required) course6A mandatory (required) course for the programme6 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThe course deals with the following aspects of the German-speaking countries: geography and places of interest; politics, economics, environmental issues and social structures; educational systems; media; daily life.
Face-to-face learningDistance learningPrerequisitesÞÝS204GGerman for Special Purposes IIMandatory (required) course6A mandatory (required) course for the programme6 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThe reading and writing of practical texts; use of spoken German for various and special purposes. Protocol, communications, and product promotions in business in German-speaking countries. Traditions and unwritten rules of business in the German-language regions. Skills needed in making deals and contracts. Continuation of German for Special Purposes I.
Face-to-face learningDistance learningPrerequisitesÞÝS206GGerman Grammar IIMandatory (required) course6A mandatory (required) course for the programme6 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionA direct, yet independent continuation of ÞÝS108G German Grammar I.
We will start with the subjunctive, then other parts of speech, for example nouns, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions, negatives etc. will be dealt with.
Assignments will be discussed and mainly corrected in class. At regular intervals short tests will show the students their actual state of grammatical skills.
Face-to-face learningDistance learningPrerequisitesAdditional information The University of Iceland collaborates with over 400 universities worldwide. This provides a unique opportunity to pursue part of your studies at an international university thus gaining added experience and fresh insight into your field of study.
Students generally have the opportunity to join an exchange programme, internship, or summer courses. However, exchanges are always subject to faculty approval.
Students have the opportunity to have courses evaluated as part of their studies at the University of Iceland, so their stay does not have to affect the duration of their studies.
An education in German can open doors in a linguistic area that is very important for Iceland culturally, politically and economically. German is the native language of around 90 million Europeans and the official language of five European countries which have close international relations with Iceland.
Iceland has strong economic and cultural ties to Germany, which is one of our most important trading partners.
An education in this area can open up opportunities in:
- Tourism
- Sales and marketing
- Media
- Cultural communication
- Teaching at all levels of the education system, including continuing education for adults
- Translation and interpreting
- International affairs
This list is not exhaustive.
- Linguae is the organisation for language students at the University of Iceland.
- Linguae organises social events for students at the Faculty of Languages and Cultures.
- Members currently include students of Italian, French, German, Spanish, Danish, Chinese and Russian.
- Linguae runs a Facebook group and a Facebook page.
Students' comments 
I chose German for Practical Purposes to improve my German and get to know the country and culture even better. It surprised me how diverse the teaching methods are. The teachers are skilled in their profession, flexible and understanding.Helpful content 
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