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General Information on Proof of Language Proficiency

General

If you require proof of language proficiency for a stay abroad or an application, such as for a degree program or an internship, you can take the corresponding examination with us. The examination will determine your current language level according to the proficiency levels (A1-C2) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Requirements

In order to obtain proof of language proficiency at the Language Center, you must be studying or working at Philipps University.

Cost and Payment Method

The fee for the proof of language proficiency is €20.00 and is paid via SEPA direct debit.

Registration and Organization

Registration for an examination date is necessary. Please read the information for the specific language (see below) for details on the process.

Important Points to Note

  • Before the examination date, you must undertake certain preparatory steps. Therefore, please read the information for the specific language carefully.
  • Please schedule an appointment at least two weeks before the end of your application deadline.
  • The DAAD proof of language document is only available for students planning a stay abroad; for master's applications, you will receive a proof of language document from the Language Center.
  • Both documents do not hold the same value as internationally recognized certificates such as TOEFL, IELTS, Goethe certificates, TestDaF, DELE, DELF, DELI, etc. Please inform yourself about which certificate you need to submit.
  • The proof of language proficiency is issued based on an examination or course participation at the Language Center, not based on school certificates, achievements, or self-assessments.
  • Theproof of language proficiency is not an exam for which specific content is learned and tested. For meaningful preparation, you can use the Self-Learning Center and the provided links and materials. For questions and advice, you can also contact the assistants at the Self-Learning Center.

Specific details for each language

  • German as a foreign language

    Your contact person is Astrid Burmester
    The exam itself takes about 75-90 minutes depending on your language level. You first take a listening test and will then work on a reading text with a writing task. At the end, there will be an interview of about 10 minutes about the content of the text.

    Please hand the completed SEPA direct debit mandate to the staff at the Service Center (room 024, Biegenstraße 12) before the scheduled time of your exam or email a scanned copy to sz@staff.uni-marburg.de.

    After the exam, the examiner will fill in and stamp your certificate template. You will receive the original if you can provide proof of payment.

  • English

    Your contact person is Ruben Bieker.

    Procedure

    Please note that there will be no language certificate tests for English from July 22 to August 30.

    1) Please contact the International Office (Erasmus and non-European mobility programs), your department or the foreign university to find out which language certificate you need.

    2) If necessary, find out about the language levels of the Common European Framework of Reference. If you would like some advice, e.g. to get an estimation if the determination of the required level is realistic for you, please feel free to arrange a telephone conversation with Ruben Bieker.

    3) Find a suitable date for the oral exam on our website and make a booking. Please note that you must complete the computer-based written part before this date. Dates are set for periods of about three months.

    In the booking confirmation for the oral part, you will receive the password you need to access the computer-based written part on ILIAS.

    4) Immediately after booking, you will be shown the SEPA mandate form. Please print this out or save it to print later. Please sign it and bring it to the appointment for the oral exam.

    5) Download the correct certificate form, print it out and fill in the information to be filled in by the applicant (e.g. name, program of study); sign the form and bring it to the oral examination.

    6) Come to the self-study center at a convenient time - but before the date of the oral exam - and take the computer-based written test section. Be sure to check the hours of the self-study center and keep in mind that the test will take up to 90 minutes and they will also need time to log on to the PC workstation.  Important: Especially in the first week of each semester, the self-study center may be closed because of placement. Since there may be closures due to illness, it is advisable to consult the website shortly before your appointment. If you come to the self study center and cannot take the test due to organisation or scheduling problems, please do not panic, but contact Ruben Bieker. We will certainly find a solution for you to complete all test parts and meet your deadlines.

    You can find this test under the following path on ILIAS: Language Center, without semester, Language Certificate English Test. There you will find a list of subject areas and the corresponding tests (PDF), which will tell you which test is for you (based on your subject area/program).

    7) Show up for your appointment for the oral exam. After the exam, we will issue your certificate. After a short waiting period of 10-15 minutes, you can take it with you. The language certificate is then valid for two years.

    If you have any questions or problems, please contact Ruben Bieker.



  • French

    Your contact person is Ariane Wenz.

    If you need a “Language Certificate for Candidates from Germany Applying for a DAAD Scholarship Abroad” and do not yet have a template, please download the necessary DAAD document. Contact Ms Wenz to make an appointment for the on-site exam and to receive the login information for the online test.

    Please send the completed questionnaire to Ariane Wenz. Take the online test before you take the on-site exam.

    Please hand the completed SEPA direct debit mandate to the staff at the Service Center (room 024, Biegenstraße 12) before the scheduled time of your exam or email a scanned copy to sz@staff.uni-marburg.de.

    The exam takes about 90 minutes, and it consists of a written and an oral part. The written part includes tasks on reading and listening comprehension as well as a production task. After the written part, there will be a 10-minute interview.

    You will receive the language certificate immediately after the exam.

  • Italian

    Your contact person is Dr. Paola Pacchioni-Becker.

    If you need a “Language Certificate for Candidates from Germany Applying for a DAAD Scholarship Abroad” and do not yet have a template, please download the necessary DAAD document. Contact Dr. Pacchioni-Becker  to make an appointment for the on-site exam and to receive the login information for the online test.

    Please send the completed questionnaire to Dr. Paola Pacchioni-Becker.
    Please hand the completed SEPA direct debit mandate to the staff at the Service Center (room 024, Biegenstraße 12) before the scheduled time of your exam or email a scanned copy to sz@staff.uni-marburg.de.

    The on-site test takes about 90 minutes, and it consists of a written and an oral part. The written part includes tasks on reading and listening comprehension as well as a production task. After the written part, there will be a 10-minute interview.

    You typically receive your language certificate about one week after the exam.

  • Japanese

    Your contact person is Akiko Sawatari-Elter.

    If you do not yet have a template for your language certificate, please download a copy of the necessary DAAD document. Inquire with Ms. Sawatari-Elter about available times for an appointment.

    Please hand the completed SEPA direct debit mandate to the staff at the Service Center (room 024, Biegenstraße 12) before the scheduled time of your exam or email a scanned copy to sz@staff.uni-marburg.de.

    The exam takes about 60 minutes. You will read a text and work on a production task. After the written part, there will be a 10-minute interview about the subject of the text.

    You will receive your language certificate immediately after the exam.

  • Spanish

    Your contact person is Dr. Edmund Voges.

    If you do not yet have a template for your language certificate, please download a copy of the necessary document for your specific purpose. The most common certificate used is the language certificate of the DAAD.

    Steps:
    1) Please register online for a date: Go to the registration for an exam date

    2) Then please hand in your SEPA mandate (which is linked in your confirmation email) to the Service Center (room 024, Biegenstraße 12) before the date of the exam or send a scanned copy by email to: .

    3) Please send the completed questionnaire to Dr. Edmund Voges. Please complete the online test of the Instituto Cervantes and send your result along with your email.

    4) Please come to the Language Center on your booked date. The exam will take approx. 90 minutes and consists of a written and an oral part. The written part of the exam covers listening and reading tasks, tasks on vocabulary and grammar and will also contain a written text production. The written part of the exam will be followed by a 10-minute oral interview.

    You will receive the language certificate immediately after the exam.