English
English is the primary language of international academia and research. A strong command of English provides access to scholarly literature, enables participation in international conferences, and facilitates the publication of one’s own work. Our courses are specifically designed to help students and staff expand their academic communication skills—in writing, speaking, and presenting—and thus successfully carry out their scholarly work.
Course Offerings
Winter Semester 2026/27
General Language Courses
English - Target Level B1.2 (3 ECTS)
English - Target Level B2.1 (6 ECTS)
Intensive English Course - Target Level B2.2 UNIcert®II (6 ECTS) NEW
Dates: March 8–19, 2027 View flyer
English – Target Level C1.1 (3 ECTS)
English - Target Level C1.2 (3 ECTS)
Courses on Academic Writing and Presentation Skills
Academic Writing—BA dissertation, MA thesis, and academic paper writing, C1 Level (3 ECTS)
Introduction to Academic Writing, B2/C1 Level (3 ECTS)
Courses in Technical Language
Developing Professional Business Communication Skills, B2 Level (3 ECTS)
English for Architects: Architectural Communication – Presentation Design Brief (3 ECTS)
Module C1
Upon successful completion of three of the C1 courses offered, the Language Center will issue a C1 certificate.
The courses can be taken flexibly over several semesters (winter and summer semesters) and combined with one another. Please note that not all courses are offered every semester.
The course combination must include at least one oral and one written exam, e.g., C1.1 + C1.2 + either Introduction to Academic Writing or Academic Writing.
Please note that the specific courses you can take depend on your placement test results or English courses you have already completed.
English - Target Level C1.1 (3 ECTS)
English – Target Level C1.2 (3 ECTS)
Academic Writing—BA dissertation, MA thesis, and academic paper writing, C1 Level (3 ECTS)
Introduction to Academic Writing, B2/C1 Level (3 ECTS)
Public Speaking in English, B2/C1 Level (3 ECTS) SUMMER SEMESTER ONLY!
English for Staff
English for Administrative Staff - Annual Program 2026/27
Register Now
Course Offerings
Summer Semester 2026
General Language Courses
English - Target Level B1.1 (3 ECTS)
English - Target Level B2.1 (6 ECTS)
English - Target Level B2.2 (6 ECTS)
English - Target Level C1.1 (3 ECTS)
English - Target Level C1.2 (3 ECTS)
Courses on Academic Writing and Presentation Skills
Academic Writing—BA dissertation, MA thesis, and academic paper writing, C1 Level (3 ECTS)
Introduction to Academic Writing, B2/C1 Level (3 ECTS)
Public Speaking in English, Level B2/C1 (3 ECTS)
Specialized Language Courses
Developing Professional Business Communication Skills, B2 Level (3 ECTS)
The Global Engineer’s English Toolkit: Technical, Academic, Digital, Intercultural, Part 1 (3 ECTS)
Further Information
The Global Engineer’s English Toolkit: Technical, Academic, Digital, Intercultural, Part 2 (3 ECTS)
Further Information
English for Social Work (3 ECTS)
Module C1
Upon successful completion of three of the offered C1 courses, a C1 certificate will be issued by the Language Center.
The courses can be taken flexibly over several semesters (winter and summer semesters) and combined with one another. Please note that not all courses are offered every semester.
The course combination must include at least one oral and one written exam, e.g., C1.1 + C1.2 + either Introduction to Academic Writing or Academic Writing.
Please note that the specific courses you can take depend on your placement test results or English courses you have already completed.
English - Target Level C1.1 (3 ECTS)
English – Target Level C1.2 (3 ECTS)
Academic Writing – BA dissertation, MA thesis, and academic paper writing, C1 Level (3 ECTS)
Introduction to Academic Writing, B2/C1 Level (3 ECTS)
Public Speaking in English, Level B2/C1 (3 ECTS)
English for Staff
Refresher Course (B1/B2) – For researchers, teaching, and academic staff – Part B
English for Administrative Staff – Annual Program 2026/27
View the flyer: Register here
English Program
We currently offer English courses at levels B1 through C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Depending on the level, the general language courses consist of between two and four weekly class hours per semester.
Course Structure
As a rule, two semesters are allocated for completing levels B1 and B2. Level B1 comprises 4 SWS, and Level B2 comprises a total of 8 SWS. This gives learners ample opportunity to systematically refresh and further develop all four language skills—listening, reading, speaking, and writing.
The C1 program at the Language Center consists of five courses, each with 2 SWS, offered every semester:
- English – Target Level C1.1 (Winter and Summer Semesters)
- English – Target Level C1.2 (Winter and Summer Semesters)
- Public Speaking (B2/C1) (online course offered only in the summer semester)
- Introduction to Academic Writing (B2/C1 Level) (Online Course) (Winter and Summer Semesters)
- Academic Writing—BA Dissertation, MA Thesis, and Academic Paper Writing (C1 Level) (Online Course) (Winter and Summer Semesters)
New starting in the Summer Semester 2026: Upon successful completion of three of the five courses, a C1 certificate will be issued by the Language Center.
Assessment
Since learners have different approaches to language acquisition, the assessment concept is based on a combination of continuous and final performance evaluations.
During the semester, learning progress is documented through assessments such as quizzes, online exercises, oral contributions, and regular homework assignments. This is supplemented by a summative exam at the end of the semester.
Upon completion of a course level (B1.2, B2.2, and C1.2), an additional oral exam is administered.
Registration and Deregistration
Registration for our English courses in the 2026/27 winter semester takes place via unisono and is available during the first and second registration periods:
Registration Phase 1: August 17 – September 6, 2026
Registration Phase 2: September 21 – October 4, 2026
If you are unable to attend a course after all, you can drop it via unisono from September 7 through September 20, 2026. After this date, please send an email to english@spz.uni-siegen.de to drop the course.
Placement Test
If you have taken an onSET placement test at the Language Center or attended a course there in the last two semesters, you do not need to take another placement test.
If you have a valid official language certificate (e.g., TOEFL iBT, TOEIC, IELTS, Cambridge, UNIcert), please email the proof to the English Coordination Office. You will then be admitted to an appropriate course.
For everyone else who has not yet taken a placement test or submitted proof of language proficiency:
If you do not know your exact current language level, you can use the table to self-assess and then register for a suitable course from our program. No later than the end of the second registration phase, you will receive an email with all the important information about the placement test, which will be administered via the onSET platform at the Language Center during the first week of classes and is a prerequisite for participating in a course.
Office Hours
Appointments are scheduled via email.
Appointments take place in person in room F-S 302. If needed, a virtual consultation via Zoom is also available. You’ll receive the access link by email shortly before your appointment.
Language Learning Links
Grammar
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/tgg
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/
Self-study / practice (all skills and levels)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish
Academic English
General English
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english
https://www.macmillandictionary.com/
American English
https://www.merriam-webster.com/
Collocations
“The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog” is a well-known pangram—this sentence contains all 26 letters of the English alphabet.
English is the official language in 55 countries.
J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series has been translated into more than 80 languages.
About 80% of scientific articles worldwide are published in English.
Our English Teachers
Edwin Shillington teaches English according to the motto: “You don’t teach a class; you teach individuals.” According to his parents, he showed a talent for creative writing long before he could even hold a pencil or crawl. His hobbies include listening to music, reading, and maintaining his daughter’s bicycle—though not necessarily in that order.
English instructor; has been with the Language Center since the 2022–23 winter semester
Anastasiia Tokarieva is a passionate instructor with a deep enthusiasm for languages, education, and intercultural exchange. She has had a long, international career as a university professor and researcher—including stints in Ukraine, Sweden, and Portugal—and now shares her knowledge at the University of Siegen. She loves guiding people from all over the world, building bridges between cultures, and discovering new horizons together.
English instructor; has been with the Language Center since the Winter-Spring semester of 2025/26
Dr. Hendrik Winterstein has been teaching English at the University of Siegen since 2008. He also teaches integration courses (German) for immigrants. Several times a year, he travels back and forth between Siegen and Houston, Texas, his second home: “Howdy y’all!” In his free time, he enjoys traveling, playing sports, and hanging out with friends.
Welcome to my English courses!
English instructor; has been with the Language Center since the 2008–2009 winter semester
Do you have any questions? Feel free to contact us:
Language Center at the Student Services Center (Building F-S)
Sandstraße 16-18
57072 Siegen
English Department at the Language Center of the University of Siegen
Sarah Leek (English Program Coordinator)
Room: F-S 302
Phone: +49 271 / 740 3014
sarah.leek@spz.uni-siegen.de
english@spz.uni-siegen.de
Melanie Ryan (Special-Assignment Teacher for English)
Room: F-S 302
Phone: +49 271 / 740 5365
english@spz.uni-siegen.de
Come visit us on the 3rd floor—we’d be happy to help you.