Goethe Institute Testing

OSU's Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures, in conjunction with the Goethe Institut Chicago, offers in the Spring Quarter selected language certification exams.

The Goethe Institute exam structure has been revised to correspond with the standard proficiency level descriptors of the European Common Framework http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/linguistic/DNR_EN.asp and levels set by ALTE http://www.alte.org/can_do/index.php (The Association of Language Testers in Europe). The tests described below are designed for learners of German as a second or foreign language; they are not open to native speakers of German.

Overview of the Goethe test levels and the European Common Framework level descriptors A1-C2

Tests offered at OSU

• Goethe Zertifikat B1 ( Zertifikat Deutsch) This test requires candidates to demonstrate basic everyday German skills, including control of major grammatical structures, and the ability to understand and participate in a conversation on everyday situations and topics. In addition, candidates are required to express themselves in writing and speaking on simple topics and understand written and spoken texts on everyday themes. As a general rule, this test is appropriate for learners who have completed between 400-600 course hours (@ 45 minutes each). In Germany, the B1 certificate is required as proof of language competence for German citizenship. For more detailed information, including a description of each test section and a downloadable sample test: http://www.goethe.de/lrn/prj/pba/bes/gzd/enindex.htm (links to the practice materials are found in the navigation frame to the left of the text)
• Goethe Zertifikat B2 This test requires candidates to demonstrate a good command of Standard German. As a general rule, this test is appropriate for learners who have completed between 590-680 units (@ 45 minutes) of intensive German instruction. For more detailed information, including a description of each test section and downloadable sample test materials: http://www.goethe.de/lrn/prj/pba/bes/gb2/enindex.htm (links to the practice materials are found in the navigation frame to the left of the text)
• Goethe Zertifikat C1 This is a test of advanced language and communication skills. As a general rule, this test is appropriate for learners who have completed 800 to 1 000 units (@ 45 minuntes) of intensive German instruction For more detailed information, including a description of each test section and downloadable sample test http://www.goethe.de/lrn/prj/pba/bes/gc1/enindex.htm (links to the practice materials are found in the navigation frame to the left of the text)
• Zertifikat Deutsch für den Beruf (ZDfB) This examination is designed to measure the candidate's ability to function competently in business related communicative situations, such as social introductions, business travel, oral and written contact with customers, basic sales dialogues and basic business letters. The level of proficiency required is 400-600 hours of German (ZD level) plus 100-120 hours of coursework specific to German for the Professions/Business German. The ZDfB exam is offered at OSU in odd-numbered years to correspond with the Department's offering of the Business German course series German 202 (Winter) and 302 (Spring) http://www.goethe.de/lrn/prj/pba/bes/zdb/enindex.htm (links to the practice materials are found in the navigation frame to the left of the text)

Information for Spring 2009

Administration Date: (for Zertifkat B1, B2, C1) Friday, May 8, 2009 (arrive at 8:30 am; written portion of the tests begins promptly at 9:00 am-ca. 12:30 pm; oral exams are administered individually in the afternoon or on a subsequent day, depending on number of candidates to be tested; further details will be provided to all registered participants after April 24, 2009)

Registration Deadline for B1, B2, C1: April 17, 2009 extended till April 24!

Administration of Zertifikat Deutsch für den Beruf: Saturday May 30; Register by May 15, 2009

Location: The Ohio State University, Hagerty Hall 480, 1775 College Rd., Columbus, OH 43210

Costs:

Registration

We must receive your registration information and payment by the Registration deadlines: FRIDAY April 24, 2009 (B1, B2, C1 exams)

ZDfB: by Friday, May 15, 2009

What you need to register:

• Your name/ Mailing address/ phone/ email
• All Tests: if you are applying for the reduced fee for full-time students, please send the required documentation with your registration.

Mail to:
Professor Kathryn A. Corl
Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures
498 Hagerty Hall
1775 College Road
Columbus, OH 43210

Content Owner: Professor K. Corl