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Forms of Learning at Zessko

Students sitting at a table talkting
Photo: Karla Fritze

Courses aren’t all the same - that much is clear. But how do you learn effectively?

Zessko offers various course formats as well as individual and cooperative forms of learning with guidance from our consultants and a well-developed independent study division.

Courses:

  • The groups comprise up to 20 students in courses for language-related studies (philologies) or 25 students in UNIcert ® courses/ Studiumplus.
  • Individual learning time is organized into 1/3 presence in courses and 2/3 supervised independent study time for courses with 4 hours per week/6 CPs. For courses with 6 hours per week/6 CPs, the ratio is 1/2 presence in courses and 1/2 supervised independent study time.
  • Teaching staff will provide guidance to learners during their independent study time using resources, exercises, and assignments in Moodle and in the independent study division at Zessko.
  • Before learners can participate in courses, they typically have to take a placement test. For information on the specific conditions for your chosen language, please refer to the respective language section.
     

Language Learning Counseling:

  • Language Learning Counseling at Zessko is a format in which professional learning consultants offer individual support to learners to address learning-related issues and offer guidance for their personal learning projects.
  • If the learning project and the learning process fulfill certain conditions, learners can earn credit points through Studiumplus (3 CPs, without a grade).
  • A typical learning project starts with the identification of personal learning goals and the self-evaluation of the student’s own language level and their previous language learning biography. Based on this, learners then set specific learning goals, plan, document, and evaluate the learning process. They receive feedback from the learning consultant and participate in specific workshops on autonomous learning if they intend to earn CPs in Studiumplus.
  • Go to the websites on “independent study” in the individual language sections for more specific information on learning arrangements. Please note that some languages do not offer Language Learning Counseling.
     

Language tandems / tandem projects:

  • Language tandems are a form of learning that is independent of specific courses, just like Language Learning Counseling. Two learners work together and learn their partner’s native language (learning project). They receive support from a professional tandem consultant.
  • If the learning project and the learning process fulfill certain conditions, learners can earn credit points through Studiumplus (3 CPs, without a grade).
  • A typical learning process begins with a self-evaluation of the student’s own language level and previous language-learning biography. This forms the foundation for both learners to develop their own learning objectives, develop their own learning project, and plan, document, and evaluate the learning process. They receive feedback from their tandem consultant and participate in workshops dedicated to the topic of tandem learning.
  • You can find more information about organizing a tandem on the tandem page in the independent study division.
  • Some languages also conduct organized tandem projects in the form of courses. Please look at the information on the sites for the specific languages to see whether such offers exist in the current semester.
     

Independent Study:

  • Independent study times are integral components of all forms of learning at Zessko (see above). Therefore, you will find a well-developed independent study section at Zessko with media centers at our Griebnitzsee and Neues Palais campuses, numerous Moodle offerings for almost all courses, various counseling options, and tutorials.