Who can take part?
The courses are aimed at all students enrolled at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (except for continuing education students). Staff and external participants may also take part subject to availability.
When can I register for the Language Centre modules?
The respective registration dates are published on the centre’s website. Registration opens in the beginning of January for the spring semester and in the first/second week of August for the autumn semester.
Can I change courses after the start of the semester if a language course is offered more than once?
No, for administrative reasons the course cannot be changed after the start of the semester.
How do I register?
As soon as registration opens, students and staff register online via the website.
External participants should email: sprachenzentrum.wirtschaft@hslu.ch
Registrations or withdrawals cannot be undertaken by the Language Centre’s lecturers or management.
The language course I am interested in has already begun. Can I still register for it?
Registration is possible until the end of week two of the semester. Registrations or withdrawals are not possible after this. If a particular module proves to be very popular, registration for it may close early – even shortly after it has started.
Can I attend a module a second time, even after passing it successfully the first time?
No, students who have passed a module cannot attend it for a second time: no extra ECTS credits are awarded for attending again, it would prevent other students from attending this module, and it would cause the department unnecessary costs.
A module may be attended for a second time if it was failed the first time.
Why shouldn't I enrol for a language that I know at the level offered?
If you already know a language, for example because you grew up with it, you may see it as easy to earn ECTS points. However, this should not be the purpose of your studies. Learning a new foreign language has many advantages that go beyond good grades. By choosing a completely new language, you open up the possibility of broadening your horizons and developing new skills. Also remember that employers are often looking for applicants who are versatile and flexible. Learning a new foreign language shows commitment, curiosity and a willingness to take on new challenges. There are many ways that learning a foreign language can improve your job prospects. Here are just three as an example:
- Communication skills: Mastering another language enables you to interact with different people and cultures on a deeper level. This opens up new perspectives and enhances your interpersonal skills.
- International labour market: In our globalised world, the demand for multilingual professionals is high. Learning another language expands your professional opportunities and increases your chances of gaining a foothold in the international job market.
- Cultural understanding: Immersion in a new language and culture allows you to develop empathy and a deeper appreciation for other cultures.
I am a member of the HSLU teaching or support staff. Can I attend the Language Centre modules?
Yes. Provided there is availability, registration is open to all members of the HSLU’s staff.
How much does a course cost?
The cost of the language courses (semester and intensive courses) for students are included in the HSLU’s tuition fees.
The courses are free for staff. You can find more information about the costs here.
I am neither a student nor a member of staff of the HSLU. Can I attend its Language Centre courses?
External persons may attend on a fee-paying basis provided that places are available. Not all courses are available to external attendees. Information to that effect may be found under “Eligibility” in the relevant module descriptions.The Secretariat can provide information as to availability.
Do the ECTS credits shown apply to all students?
Most of the module descriptions give details of the Schools that honour modules with ECTS credits.
We recommend checking with your head of programme whether credits are awarded: not all Schools award ECTS credits for all modules. Further information is available in the course overview or the individual module descriptions.
Who decides on the award of ECTS credits?
The award of ECTS credits for the successful completion of a module is decided by the Schools or heads of programme.
Is there a difference in scope between semester courses and the intensive courses offered during the block study weeks?
No, all the modules are endowed with three ECTS credits, corresponding to a workload of 90 hours. This encompasses the contact tuition time and the time required for self-study.
I do not require any further ECTS credits for my studies, but would still like to attend a Language Centre course. Is this possible?
Provided you are still enrolled at the HSLU, you may attend the course: it is permitted to attend excess numbers of elective modules.
What happens if too few registrations are received for a particular course?
Courses require a minimum number of registrations to go ahead. If this number is not reached, the participants will be informed and, if possible and desired, allocated to a different course of their choice.
What happens if too many registrations are received for a particular course?
The maximum number of participants per language course is usually 25. Once this figure is reached, we start a waiting list. If a place on the course becomes available, the next person in line is contacted via email. That is why it is vital that you deregister from a module as soon as you realise you cannot attend it.
I have registered for a language module that I now cannot attend. Do I have to deregister?
Cancellations for courses at the Language Center are only possible until the start of the semester. If you notice before the start of the semester that you will not be able to attend the course, please cancel as soon as possible. We need to have accurate data on the number of participants for our language course planning. Someone may be waiting for a place to become free. Withdrawals should be notified directly to the relevant Secretariat. Registrations or withdrawals cannot be undertaken by the Language Centre’s lecturers or management. Withdrawals in respect of the intensive courses during the block study-weeks should be avoided: withdrawals are no longer possible after the Friday immediately preceding the first study-week.
Is it possible not to have to sit the assessed assignment?
My School is not awarding me ECTS credits.
No, by registering for a module you are committing yourself to attend the course to the very end and to sit the assessed assignment. Non attendance of the assessed assignment will result in the award of a ‘1’ grade.
Do I always have to take a grading test?
If you have prior knowledge of the language – even if it is minimal – we recommend you take the grading test. Under the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), you can self-assess your own language level or take one of the many free online language tests.
Grading tests for Arabic, Chinese, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish are also available on our website.
Is the Language Center certificate valid as an official language diploma?
No, it is not an internationally recognized language diploma.
When does the academic year start and when does it end?
Tuition in the autumn semester starts in calendar week 38 and continues until calendar week 51; the spring semester starts in CW8 and ends in CW22.
The intensive courses take place during block study weeks 36 and 37 before the autumn semester, and during block study weeks 6 and 7 before the spring semester.
Can I attend two modules or levels of the same language in the same semester?
No, it is not allowed to attend two different levels of the same language in the same semester. Only visit the module with the level that is appropriate for you. If you still register for two different levels of the same language in the same semester, you will be deregistered from the lower level module.
May Art and Design students enrolled into a foundation course also attend Language Centre courses?
Yes, but foundation course students are deemed as “external persons”, so they must bear the costs themselves.
Can assessed assignments be deferred?
No, attendees are informed of the assessed assignment dates before they start a course and are expected to comply.
In which language do the lessons take place?
The language used in class is the language you are learning and, at lower levels, German is also used for explanation purposes. The exception is "German as a Foreign Language", where explanations also take place in English.
