The curriculum of each program of study determines the level of each language course taught in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR). Generally speaking, English courses are at the B1+/B2/C1 level, other language courses are offered at A1-B1(+) or A1-A2+. For more information about course levels offered in each language, please click on ‘Language Courses’. 

The study- and examination guidelines of each program of study determine which obligatory language course students must complete as well as which compulsory elective language courses students may choose from. When space is available, you may also take part in language courses that are not offered as part of your program of study. For more information on available spaces in a particular course, please contact our teachers directly.

There is no official mandatory attendance policy at HOST: attendance is therefore voluntary. However, please exercise caution: regular attendance in our interactive language courses prepares you for the final examination at the end of the semester. Our dedicated teachers can gladly provide you with more information concerning the benefits of regular attendance.

In a word: yes. However, when you are obligated to sit exams as a student at HOST depends on the study- and examinations guidelines of your program of study. Please contact your Study Coordinator and/or the General Student Advice Office (allgemeine Studienberatung) for more information.

Students who have already completed final examinations for language courses at HOST can obtain a Confirmation of Exam Attendance from the Language Centre.

Students who have already completed final examinations for language courses at HOST and who are applying for a DAAD-Stipend (Erasmus+/Promos), can obtain a so-called DAAD-Language Certificate. The form cannot be issued by the Language Centre for any other purposes. 
The form can be found on the homepage of the DAAD.

Please note: the Language Centre is not a certified testing centre for internationally recognized language examinations such as TOEFL, Cambridge etc. Accordingly, our Language Centre does not offer specific preparation courses for such exams. Should you require such a certificate e.g. for an application to a Master’s program of study or an international scholarship, external providers for each specific language exam may be of assistance.

For registered students at HOST there is no fee for taking the obligatory or compulsory elective language courses in your program of study. Guest auditors may also take part in language courses at the Language Centre (subject to availability) by obtaining a guest student card. For more information concerning guest student cards, please contact the General Student Advice Office ( allgemeine Studienberatung).

The Language Centre offers obligatory courses in German as a foreign language for full-time international students of the program Baltic Management Studies (BMS). These courses are also open to students of other programs (subject to availability). You can find more information on German as a foreign language courses under ‚Language Courses.‘

The Language Centre at HOST is a central scientific facility of the University of Applied Sciences offering obligatory and compulsory elective language courses for the Schools. Our dedicated teachers are 100% committed to excellence in teaching. Accordingly, we cannot provide extra services such as translations, editing or the proofreading of CVs etc. 

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR) makes recommendations to both learners and teachers alike for how language acquisition can be made more transparent and comparable. The six levels of the CEFR (A1-C2) function as a basis for the development of curricula, second language learning materials and language certificates.