Technical University Berlin

This course for foreign students is designed to improve students’ language skills and vocabulary. Areas of focus include grammar, conversation, writing exercises, and listening and reading exercises. In addition, excursions are planned to introduce students to German culture. Students work with cultural and historical topics on an academic level and broaden their intercultural knowledge. They are introduced to independent learning methods and familiarize themselves with typical learning situations at German universities. In this class at the B2 level according to the CEFR, students further develop their (often subject-specific) vocabulary and command of grammatical structures as well as corresponding competencies in university-specific situations. The class takes intercultural and methodological aspects of foreign language learning into consideration, and students discuss specific aspects of German culture and society. The B2 level is split into two courses, the B2.1 course covers the first half of the level and the B2.2 course covers the second half of the level.

Blue Engineering focuses on ecological and social responsibility. The course facilitates creative and interdisciplinary debates on the issues posed by technology in society and in nature. It enables students to network beyond their university and even beyond national borders while exchanging ideas and getting ready to act. As the course focuses on sustainability, topics such as technology assessment, engineers' responsibilities, neutrality of technology, plastics, and gender/diversity. 

This course explores current major themes in innovation and entrepreneurship, including human-centered design and innovation eco-systems. This practical course guides and accompanies students to create new valued products, services, or experiences, from idea generation through to business concept development and testing as well as pitching the developed business concept. The course discusses topics including human-centered design and innovation process to develop new products, services, or experiences; how to systematically explore, create and modify business-driven ideas; how to validate assumptions and test prototypes; the innovation and business creation eco-system; how to transform new ideas into valuable solutions considering their impact; leadership, team building, and managerial creativity competencies to work in and lead interdisciplinary teams; and how to present a concept in a pitch format.