Placement Test
For English courses, we use the Oxford English Placement Test. This adaptive test automatically adjusts to your language level. To confirm your placement based on productive skills as well, we will also ask you to complete a short writing task and a brief conversation.
To ensure that you and your classmates are all placed appropriately, please register for the placement test in advance.
Contact: Jennifer Fink - jennifer.fink(at)unileoben.ac.at
For German language placement, please contact Sandra Ganzer - sandra.ganzer(at)unileoben.ac.at
You can also use the language-independent self-assessment grid from the Council of Europe:
https://www.coe.int/en/web/portfolio/self-assessment-grid
Online Placement Test
Recommended to all regular and international students who enroll for English classes at the ZSBK for the first time and are not sure about their level of English.
Duration: 60 minutes
Please bring a photo ID (e.g. passport, driver's license) & a pair of headphones to the test.
- Memrise - Vocabulary trainer with videos from native speakers
www.memrise.com - Reverso – Conjugation trainer (which language?)
www.context.reverso.net - Quizlet – Create and share flashcards
www.quizlet.com - Anki – Flashcard app with spaced repetition system
www.ankiweb.net - Clozemaster – Practice vocabulary in context (Which language?)
www.clozemaster.com - LanguageTool – Online grammar and style correction (Which language?)
www.languagetool.org
- uugot.it – Learn languages while watching TV with interactive subtitles
www.uugot.it - News in Slow – News in slowly spoken French, Spanish, Italian, German
www.newsinslow.com - BBC Learning English – Learn English with current topics
www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish - ZDF Nachrichtenleicht – Current German news in simple language – updated weekly
www.nachrichtenleicht.de
- HelloTalk – Voice exchange with text, audio and video messages
www.hellotalk.com - italki – Find a tandem partner or professional teacher
www.italki.com - Speechling – Speech training with feedback from coaches
www.speechling.com
- Beelinguapp – Read texts in two languages simultaneously
www.beelinguapp.com - The Fable Cottage – Well-known fairy tales in simple language
www.thefablecottage.com - Deutsch perfekt – Sprachmagazin (Online-Angebot) – In addition to reading texts, there are also writing exercises and tips for German learners
www.deutsch-perfekt.com
Tandem is a linguistic and cultural exchange between two people with different native languages. It is a shared form of learning in which each partner learns the other's language. Tandem partners meet regularly and devote equal amounts of time to each language – from “just” speaking to joint activities. There are no limits to your imagination.
You fill out the registration form and then the matching process begins. You will be informed as soon as a suitable tandem partner has been found.
The tandem partners plan independently when, how often, what, and how they want to learn. A tandem meeting usually looks like this: 50% of the time in each language with feedback time for corrections, etc.
Example: One-hour meeting:
- 25 minutes in language A + 5 minutes feedback,
- then 25 minutes in language B + 5 minutes feedback
Try out different activities that suit your language level and interests, and communicate your wishes and expectations. The interests do not have to be the same; tandem partners can also change the language, activity, topic, etc.
Here are some suggestions on how to make your tandem meeting more interesting:
- Talk about current news from your respective home countries.
- Discuss intercultural topics or differences in terms of life, education, or traditions.
- Talk about movies or TV series you like—or watch an episode together and discuss it at your next meeting.
- Discover new artists or music groups together.
- Practice everyday situations in the form of role-plays (e.g., a job interview or a visit to the doctor).
- Play a game together – e.g., Kahoot, Pictionary, or Activity.
Yes, you can use various platforms for online communication, such as: Moodle, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Discord, instant messengers (SMS, WhatsApp, Instagram, etc.), email, …
- Define your concrete, specific goals that you can realistically achieve.
- Make a work plan and keep a learning journal to track your progress.
- Learn and use new words, phrases, and structures that you learned during the meeting.
- Don't be discouraged by mistakes—use them as a learning opportunity!
Language learning apps such as Duolingo offer predefined lessons that often do not meet specific needs. With a tandem partner, you have a personal and authentic exchange with realistic conversations. In addition, our project offers a safe and supportive environment (clear rules, no anonymity, contact persons for tandem problems).