Studying in a Language Other Than English: When a Passing Certificate Is Not Enough

A student reaches exactly the German certificate level his university requires, starts an engineering degree and realises in week one that he follows about half of each lecture. The lecturer is not speaking unusually fast. The problem is that the exam measured general German, while the lecture hall runs on disciplinary German: technical terms, the long sentences of engineering texts, abbreviations everyone understands except newcomers. By mid-term he has caught up, but the first two months were harder than they needed to be.

Studying in the local language in non-English-speaking countries is a popular route, chosen for teaching quality, a wide range of cost tiers and later career opportunities. This article sets out the options, explains the gap between certificate and classroom, and shows how to shrink it before you arrive.

Three routes into a local-language degree

In some countries a foreign secondary school certificate does not give direct university access, and you must complete a preparatory year or part of a degree at home first. Rules vary by country, type of institution and sometimes subject, so check the host country's official qualification recognition portal.

Language certificates: know which test measures what

Each language has tests universities accept, such as TestDaF or DSH for German, DELF and DALF for French, JLPT for Japanese, TOPIK for Korean and HSK for Chinese. Requirements are usually expressed on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) or the test's own levels, and they differ by university, subject and degree level.

Check three things when you read the requirements:

• Minimum scores per skill, not just the overall result. Some universities set separate thresholds for writing and speaking.
• When the certificate is due: before your application is assessed, or at enrolment.
• Whether results expire between the test date and the submission date.

The gap between certificate and lecture hall

A language certificate shows you can begin studying, not that you will feel comfortable straight away. The gap usually sits in four places:

1. Subject vocabulary: a few hundred core terms in each module that general exams never touch.
2. Lecture listening speed: natural speech, cultural examples, sometimes regional accents.
3. Long academic texts: complex sentences, nominalisation and the argument style of each academic tradition.
4. Academic writing conventions in that language, which differ from exam writing.

A six-month plan before you go

• Build a glossary: take the first-year module list from the department website, find the introductory textbooks and record 300 to 500 core terms with meanings and example sentences.
• Listen to real lectures: many universities publish open lectures, and there are popular science channels in most languages. Listen for twenty minutes a day and note the main points in that language.
• Read one introductory book in your field in the target language, slowly and with notes. One book read carefully beats five skimmed.
• Write a short summary every week and have a native speaker or teacher correct it.

English-taught programmes in non-English-speaking countries

Many countries offer master's programmes, and increasingly bachelor's programmes, taught in English. They are a good option if you want that country's education before you have learned the language. Weigh two points, though:

• Daily life, paperwork and most part-time jobs still run in the local language.
• If you plan to stay and work, local language ability is often decisive, even in technical fields.

A common strategy is to take the English-taught programme and enrol in a language course from the first semester. Many universities offer free or credit-bearing courses for international students.

First semester: habits that help you catch up

• Sit near the front, record lectures where permitted and replay the difficult parts with the materials.
• Read slides or handouts before class and mark new words, so in class you only need to hear how they are used.
• Join a study group with native speakers; in return, help them where you are strong, such as maths or coding.
• Use the university writing service; many offer advice for second-language writers.
• Ask lecturers about key terms during office hours. Most are glad to explain.

What you do not need to worry about

• You do not need a native accent before you go. A foreign accent does not lower you in a lecturer's eyes.
• You do not need to understand every sentence in week one. Following the main ideas is enough; the rest arrives within weeks.
• You do not need to drop English. International literature is still mostly in English, and reading both is an advantage.

Checklist for choosing your language route

1. Which language is your target programme taught in, throughout or only partly?
2. Does your current qualification give direct entry, or do you need a preparatory year?
3. Which tests are accepted, what are the minimum levels per skill, and when is the deadline?
4. Do you have a glossary of core first-year terms?
5. What is your plan for continuing language study during year one?

This week, find the first-year module list on your target department's website, pick the most important introductory module and track down its textbook. Read ten pages in the target language and count how many words you had to look up. That number tells you the real size of the gap more accurately than any test score.

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