PunktUm

Regularly in the winter semester

The seminar "Wortschatz- und Formulierungstraining zur deutschen Wissenschaftssprache I" is the first of two courses in which the expansion of the typical vocabulary for different types of texts (term papers and theses) is specifically trained.

The focus of this course is on expanding vocabulary, especially for writing an introduction and conclusion, and on teaching working techniques and procedures for expanding vocabulary. The focus is on the reception and retention of vocabulary on the respective topics as well as the function of the text modules introduction and conclusion.

The focus of the exercises is on

• Characteristics of the academic language German
• Structure and typical vocabulary of an introduction
• Structure and typical vocabulary of a conclusion
• Working techniques to expand and deepen the scientific vocabulary Vocabulary

At the end of the course, students will be familiar with the function, structure and specific vocabulary of the text modules "introduction" and "conclusion". Students will then be able to apply this knowledge in their own seminar papers. The knowledge of systematisation and the specialist vocabulary they have learned can also be transferred to other situations during their studies.

The two parts of the course "Vocabulary and formulation training for German academic language I and II" do not build on each other thematically. They can be attended in any order.

Blended learning:

The course is supplemented by an electronic learning platform in moodle, which contains numerous tasks, exercises and vocabulary lists. After attending the course, all course materials (e.g. for writing seminar papers etc.) are available throughout the entire degree programme.

Registration is possible at electronic course catalogue (ekvv).

Regularly in the summer semester

The rules and conventions of German academic language raise many questions. This is particularly true when studying and writing in German as a foreign language.

The question arises:

• What are the characteristics of German academic language?
• What is meant by "scientific behaviour"?
• What scientific language acts are there?
• What are their functions? By what means are they realised?

If you are asking yourself one or more of the above questions, this seminar is the right place for you.

The seminar is an extension of the course "Vocabulary and formulation training for German academic language I" and therefore also an opportunity for participants of this course to deepen their knowledge.

The aim of this course is to teach working techniques and procedures that promote the expansion of vocabulary in the context of scientific communication. The focus is on the reception and memorisation of vocabulary on the various topics as well as the function of language acts in academic writing. Writing.

At the end of the course, students will have a basic knowledge of the function of language acts in the context of academic communication and will have the necessary vocabulary for the written realisation of these acts. They will be able to recognise scientific language acts in texts and reproduce them using their own words.

Attendance of the course "Vocabulary and Formulation Training I" is NOT a prerequisite!

Participation in the seminar is free of charge!

Blended learning:

The course is supplemented by an electronic learning platform in moodle, which contains numerous tasks, exercises and vocabulary lists. After attending the course, all course materials (e.g. for writing seminar papers etc.) are available for the entire duration of the programme

Registration is possible in the electronic course catalogue (ekvv).

Do you write texts in German for your degree programme, but have difficulty using grammatical structures correctly, resulting in problems with appropriate wording? Does this situation sound familiar to you?

Then we have just the right course for you: the "Intensive grammar course for academic writing" is an additional course offered by PunktUm.

The aim is to repeat and apply the grammatical structures of German academic language. All grammar topics are presented in a functional context for scientific writing, with application exercises on your own texts at the centre of the course.

Registration is possible in the electronic course catalogue (ekvv).

At the beginning of their studies, many Bachelor's students are confronted with the problem of having to familiarise themselves slowly and laboriously with the norms, rules and conventions of writing texts in their respective subject. The following questions arise, for example:

• How do I write a scientific text?
• How do scientific and non-scientific texts differ?

This is especially true when German is a foreign language. Firstly, we will endeavour to gain an overview of the various steps involved in planning and producing a simple scientific text. We will then practise some helpful procedures using authentic scientific texts from various disciplines as examples. We will work on the following questions through tutorials in connection with lecture/seminar):

• How do I find a topic for a scientific text and how do I narrow it down?
• How do I read scientific sources systematically and effectively?
• How do I structure my text?

ECTS credits can be awarded for active participation in the workshop.

Blended learning:

The course is supplemented by an electronic learning platform in moodle, which contains numerous tasks, exercises and vocabulary lists. After attending the course, all course materials (e.g. for writing seminar papers etc.) are available throughout the entire degree programme

Registration is possible in the electronic course catalogue (ekvv).

A convincing application is one of the prerequisites for the transition to the master's course or for a successful start to professional life. Many students are unsure of the requirements for this type of text because they do not usually practise it during their studies. A particular challenge lies in writing eloquently and convincingly in a foreign language. You ask yourself, for example:

• How do I structure the cover letter?
• How do I make a convincing argument?
• How do I revise and correct my text?

The aim of this workshop is to write an impressive application for admission to a master's course or for a job.

Blended learning:

The course is supplemented by an electronic learning platform in moodle, which contains numerous tasks, exercises and vocabulary lists. After attending the course, all course materials (e.g. for writing seminar papers etc.) are available throughout the entire degree programme

Registration is possible in the electronic course catalogue (ekvv)

We advise you on all types of texts that you write during your studies - from seminar papers and presentations to final theses, reports and minutes:

How do I write in German as a foreign language?
How do I reformulate foreign literature?
How do I develop the "red thread"?
Is my writing style academic enough?
Are sentence structure and grammar correct?

Or do you have other questions about your writing and would like a solution?

Then come to our individual PunktUm writing consultation!

Other texts can also be a topic: a letter of motivation to apply for a study place or scholarship as well as an application for a job.

During the consultation, we will discuss your questions and provide feedback on the structure, comprehensibility or linguistic appropriateness. Together, we will develop possible solutions and support you in implementing them. Counselling is of course confidential and free of charge!

Our writing counselling team is multilingual, intercultural and interdisciplinary. We are qualified GFL teachers (M.A.) with many years of experience in supporting non-native students with their studies and academic writing.

Contact us by email at PunktUm or during our open consultation hours. We will discuss your concerns and arrange individual, flexible counselling appointments. For some, once a week is good, for others every 3-4 weeks!

The counselling sessions are flanked by an extensive range of courses. Would you like to improve your language skills in a course? Then click here: Course offers.

Perhaps you don't have time to attend a language course but would like to improve your skills? Then click here: Language learning counselling.

In addition to individual writing counselling, PunktUm also offers final proofreading of theses (bachelor's, master's, exam, master's and diploma theses as well as doctoral theses) for international students and doctoral candidates. This proofreading focuses primarily on the linguistic and formal revision of the finished texts.

Proofreading is free of charge for participants of PunktUm events up to a certain number of hours. Interested parties who have not attended courses at PunktUm and have not taken advantage of individual counselling sessions must pay for the proofreading themselves, except for a small subsidy from the AStA [Student Union].

Important: If you would like to have your thesis proofread, you should inform and register with PunktUm in good time.
You should also allow sufficient time for the proofreading. The printed text should be submitted at least four to six weeks before the deadline!