Regulations governing foreign language training and participation in examinations at the Language Centre of the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt
As per § 5 para. 1 in conjunction with §§ 79 para. 2 clause 1 no. 11, 83 para. 2 no. 6, 85 of the Thuringian Higher Education Act (ThürHG) in the version published 22 June 2005 (statute book p. 229), the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt issues the following regulations governing foreign language training and participation in examinations at the Language Centre of the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt.
The Convention of the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt approved the regulations on 29.11.2006.
List of contents
§ 1 Object
§ 2 Principles of foreign language training
§ 3 General aims of foreign language training
§ 4 Participation
§ 5 Certificate of achievement
§ 6 Date of the examination
§ 7 Conduct of the examination
§ 8 Assessment of examination performance
§ 9 Publication of examination results
§ 10 Absence, withdrawal, cheating, breach of regulations
§ 11 Resits of failed examination components
§ 12 Modification of examination procedures in individual cases
§ 13 Access to examination records
§ 14 Coming into force
§ 1 Object
These regulations constitute the foundation for practical language training for students from all departments. It covers all the foreign languages taught in the Language Centre and German as a Foreign Language. Should any anomalies arise, the provisions contained in the course and examination regulations governing individual courses of study at the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt take precedence over those contained in these regulations.
§ 2 Principles of foreign language training
The Language Centre at UAS Erfurt seeks to provide foreign language training that is both specific and appropriate to the higher-education sector; this means amongst other things
- Appropriately targeted, clearly structured course content,
- Staged progression of language courses,
- Target-oriented exercises appropriate to learners,
- As objective an evaluation of proficiency and skills as possible.
§ 3 General aims of foreign language training
The following general aims apply as a rule to all language courses:
- Students should be equipped to manage all subject-related language situations during study at home and abroad,
- They should be prepared for the linguistic demands placed on highly trained professionals through an appropriate introduction to the technical terminology used in specific academic disciplines.
- They should also be made aware of intercultural issues.
§ 4 Participation
(1) In principle all students registered at UAS Erfurt and any higher-education institution in Thuringia may attend language courses.
(2) If the size of the group does not exceed 15 students, up to 5 visiting students may also be admitted. The relevant teacher makes the decision.
(3) The relevant course and examination regulations govern participation in compulsory subjects and options.
(4) Participation in courses leading to external examinations (TestDaF = Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache, TOEIC = Test of English for International Communication, TOEFL = Test of English as a Foreign Language) is governed by the relevant separate examination regulations.
(5) Participation in the examinations mentioned in paragraph 4 is subject to a fee.
§ 5 Certificate of achievement
(1) A minimum attendance at a language course of 75% is required as proof of successful participation in the course in question. Equally, if the course involves coursework, 75% of this must have been completed on registering for the exam.
(2) At the beginning of the semester the relevant teacher takes a decision on the certificates of achievement for the successful completion of a language course. The students are then informed of this decision in writing during the first lesson.
(3) Certificates are awarded for skills acquired and examinations passed.
§ 6 Date of the examination
(1) As a rule, language examinations are held twice during every academic year, at the end of each semester.
(2) The date and place of the examination are announced at least two weeks in advance, whilst classes are still taking place.
§ 7 Conduct of the examination
(1) As a rule examinations last 90 minutes.
(2) As a rule monolingual dictionaries are permitted in the examination.
(3) Amendments to the regulations are published promptly.
§ 8 Assessment of examination performance
The grades for individual examination performance are determined by the relevant examiners. The following grades are to be used to assess examination performance:
1 = very good (an outstanding performance),
2 = good (a significantly above-average performance),
3 = satisfactory (a performance that meets average requirements),
4 = adequate (a performance that still meets requirements, in spite of shortcomings),
5 = inadequate (a performance that no longer meets requirements due to significant shortcomings).
Grade table
1,0
1,3
1,7
2,0
2,3
2,7
3,0
3,3
3,7
4,0
anything below this is a fail
§ 9 Publication of examination results
Examination results will be posted on notice boards no later than 6 weeks after the date of the examination.
§ 10 Absence, withdrawal, cheating, breach of regulations
(1) An examination performance shall be assessed as "inadequate" if the candidate fails to turn up for the examination without good reason, or withdraws without good reason after the examination has begun.
(2) The reasons claimed for absence must be submitted to the examiner in writing without delay and must be shown to be credible. If the candidate is sick, a copy of a medical certificate must be produced within five working days. If the reasons given are deemed to be acceptable, a new date shall be arranged. In this case credit is to be given for existing examination results.
(3) Candidates have the right to withdraw from the examination without stating any reasons no later than two weeks before the date of the examination.
(4) Should the candidate attempt to influence the result of his examination performance by cheating or using unauthorised resources, the examination performance in question shall be assessed as "inadequate". A candidate who disrupts standard examination procedure may be barred from continuing the examination by the relevant examiner or invigilator. in which case the examination performance in question shall be assessed as "inadequate". In serious cases the examiner may bar the candidate from taking any further examinations. The examiner shall take the decision subsequent to a hearing with the candidate.
§ 11 Resits of failed examination components
(1) An examination that has not been assessed with a minimum grade of "adequate" may be repeated several times. It is not permitted to resit an examination that has been passed.
(2) The resit is to be taken at the latest during the examination period of the following semester, preferably by agreement between the relevant student and the course director.
§ 12 Modification of examination procedures in individual cases
Should a candidate submit a medical certificate confirming that he is unable to take all or part of an examination in the prescribed form due to a persistent or permanent physical or other disability, the examiner must allow the equivalent examinations to be taken in a different form; the same applies for course assignments
§ 13 Access to examination records
(1) Within one month of notification of an examination result students may apply for access to their written examination papers, the reports relating thereto and the minutes of the examination.
(2) Documents are kept in the Language Centre archives for 2 years.
§ 14 Coming into force
These regulations came into force on the first day following publication in the Official Journal no. 9 of the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt dated 12.06.07.