Learn German University Vocabulary
What is a Vorlesung, Sitzung, Klausur, Referat, or Hausarbeit?
Apr 5, 2009
There are certain terms that every student should know before pursuing study at a German university. Here is vocabulary useful when deciphering a scary-looking class schedule, listening to a professor speak about what is expected of students in a particular course, and just for hanging out with German university students.
Class Schedule Terminology
There are different types of courses offered at German universities, from lectures to seminars to discussions. It's also quite useful to know where to go for said classes and when.
- Session: die Sitzung
- Lecture: die Vorlesung
- Course Catalog: Vorlesungsverzeichnis
- Seminar: das Proseminar/Seminar
- Hour/Class: die Stunde
- Lecture Hall: der Hörsaal
- Hall: der Aula
Test Terminology in Germany
Final exams in Germany are either written or oral, depending on the class. Sometimes a student will be required to take both types of tests.
- Test/Exam: die Prüfung, der Klausur (the latter is more common)
- Oral exam: mündliche Prüfung
Sometimes a final exam will be described as just mündlich or schriftlich (written). This final may be in addition to other major assignments given throughout the semester, or it may even stand alone as the only source for a grade in a class.
The German Grading System
In Germany, the marking system is a scale from 1 through 5, (eins bis fünf). A one is the best possible mark, and a five is the worst. A decimal system is also used, a 1,2 mark being better than a 1,5. (Be sure to remember that in Germany, a comma is used to indicate a decimal rather than a period. This will save you a lot of confusion!) A grade of 2,3 is spoken as zwei komma drei. Most important to remember is the lower the number, the better!
Classroom Work and Assignments
It is important to know what sort of work a professor requires of students. Most professors understand that German is not the native language for most international students, so don't be afraid to ask them questions about the requirements, either.
- Presentation: das Referat
- (Term) Paper: die Seminararbeit, die Hausarbeit
- Homework: die Hausaufgabe
- Bibliography: die Quellenangabe
- Source: die Quelle
- Syllabus: der Lehrplan
Other Useful Terms and Phrases
Of course, being a student in Germany is not all about books, tests, lectures, and papers. Here are a few other highly useful university terms in German.
- Student ID: der Studentenausweis
- Cafeteria/Dining Hall: die Mensa
- Bar: die Kneipe
- Party: die Party
- Concert: das Konzert
- Dorm (with shared kitchen): die Wohngemeinschaft (WG)
- Larger dorm/residence hall: das Studentenwohnheim
For anyone hoping to spend some time studying in Germany, learning the above terms can help make for a smooth transition to the German university system. It will certainly save confusion when sitting in the middle of a Vorlesung and wondering what a professor means by a Sitzung.
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