Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here you will find answers to frequently asked question about our language courses and examinations.
Language Courses
When do I need to register?
German Intensive:
There is no specific registration date for our registration process.
Registration is even possible one day before the start of the course, sometimes even after the course has commenced, if free places are available.
However, registration should be done as soon as possible, since we work on a fair course allocation system, based on the registration date (first come, first serve).
Evening Courses:
There is no specific registration date for our registration process.
Registration is possible at any time. Joining a course after it has commenced is also possible at any time, should free places be available, and if the participant has the required language level.
Private Lessons:
Private lessons can, as a rule, be organized at very short notice, as per your requirements and the desired intensity of the lessons.
How do I know which is the right course for my language level?
To test pre-existing language skills, a placement test is performed with each potential course participant. The results of the placement test allow us to allocate the optimal course for your language level.
Do I need to complete a placement test if I am able to present a certificate from the Goethe Institute, or from another language school?
A certificate or a placement test from another language school, or an examining body, is not sufficient.
We complete a placement test with every potential student who has some pre-existing language skills. Only a placement test which has been completed by us is a recognized means to verify the current linguistic skills and shortfalls of a potential course participant.
Can I obtain a document confirming my participation in the course?
A confirmation certificate can be made available on payment of a handling fee.
Before the start of a course, a registration confirmation can be made available, which verifies that registration has been concluded for a specified time period. Relevant information, such as the monthly teaching hours and course times, are specified in the registration document.
After the course has begun, a booking confirmation, which verifies that registration has been concluded for a specified time period and that the course has commenced, can be provided. Relevant information, such as the language level of the course, monthly teaching hours, and course times, are specified. This booking confirmation, however, is not a participation confirmation, as the course would not have been completed at this point in time.
After completion of the course, a participation confirmation can be issued, which verifies that the course has been attended. In the participation confirmation, relevant information such as the language level of the course, the monthly teaching hours, and course times are specified.
Am I guaranteed a seat in the course once I have registered?
We always do our best to offer all our customers a place according to registration.
Some providers give an unrealistic place guarantee and promise a definite course place just to get a registration. In reality, however, there is unfortunately never a guarantee of a seat in a course, as capacity depends on the number of free places, spontaneous cancellations and, of course, the number of registrations, among other factors. In addition, there is the possibility of cancellations due to illness or other unforeseeable events. We therefore ask for your understanding that we cannot give a dubious guarantee for a course place, and instead promise open communication.
I need a visa. What do I need to take into consideration?
Please check with the relevant embassy or consulate regarding the provisions for a visa, such as the required course duration and the required number of lessons per week. For further information, please contact the Federal Foreign Office /Auswärtige Amt.
Please register well in advance of the commencement of the language course, as processing your visa application may take several months.
In addition to your registration, please request a registration confirmation, which can subsequently be submitted to the relevant embassy or consulate.
Does the school also offer accommodation?
As a language school, we only offer language courses. We do not provide accommodation.
What do I do if I’m registered for a course, but I am not given a visa?
In such a case, there are two possibilities:
- Re-Booking: It is possible to change the start date of the course by re-booking, if for example you have to move the start date by one or two months. A re-booking is subject to a re-booking fee, and can be done, either by written confirmation, via a new online registration, or by doing a personal re-booking at our office. If you would like to re-book, please contact us.
- Cancellation: If you do not receive a visa, cancellation of the course is possible, subject to a cancellation fee. In such a case, please send us the official document confirming the refusal of the visa.
Can I cancel my registration for the course?
You can cancel your registration at any time. Please note, however, that an already paid down payment may be lost, or further costs could ensue; specified cancellation periods apply for open-ended contracts. The exact conditions of cancellation are dependent on the relevant course, so please refer to the respective conditions of registration.
Can I change my course within a running course module?
The placement test before the start of the course and the resulting course allocation are binding.
Please understand that swapping courses during a progressing course module is not feasible, as this would not guarantee our customers a homogenous course group for the respective course block. Constantly switching participants would disturb the classes and detract from the learning experience.
However, a course can be switched after consultation with the management, at the commencement of the next course block, if there are sufficient reasons requiring the transfer.
Are classes taught in two languages, i.e. are explanations given in my mother tongue?
Language lessons are monolingual, only in the language you wish to acquire. This has been proven to be the most efficient way to learn a foreign language.
Do I have to take a final test after each course module, in order to be admitted to the next module?
It is possible to take an optional evaluation test after each course module, which allows an assessment of your language skills according to a specific language level, confirming this with a certificate. This evaluation test is not mandatory.
For further information on evaluation tests, please contact us directly.
Do I have to first attend a course or can I register for a language exam without a course?
Registration for a language examination is possible at any time, independent of course attendance.
Am I automatically registered for exams when I attend a language course?
A separate registration is always required for examinations.
Please inform yourself of language exams under Language Exams, or refer to the notices in our classrooms, detailing the upcoming examination dates.
Which course book is utilized, and where can I get it?
On the first day of the course, the teacher will tell you which course-book will be utilized for the course. Please note that the course-book is not included in the course fee.
The course-book cannot be purchased or borrowed from MONDIALE, but must be purchased separately from a regular book store.
If I missed a lesson, can I simply add on a lesson or reschedule a subsequent lesson?
Group courses: Please understand that the group courses are organized in fixed course blocks which guarantee our clients a homogenous course group for the duration of the respective course block. Constantly switching participants would disturb the classes, and detract from the learning experience. Unfortunately, a missed date can thus not just be added to your course duration. However, on request, we can send you the teaching material of the missed course period by e-mail.
Private Lessons: If the original appointment was canceled on time, an alternative date may be rescheduled according to availability, either at the end of the training program, or at an individually agreed time.
Exams
When is the closing date for registration for an examination?
You should register at least 14 days before the exam.
How can I pay for the telc exam and until when?
You can pay online via PayPal account, SEPA direct debit or credit card as well as on site in cash or with girocard (EC card). Payment by credit card is only possible online.
Please note that your payment must be received by us no later than 24 hours after registration. Otherwise your booking will be cancelled automatically.
Do I have to first attend a course or can I register for a language exam without a course?
Registration for a language examination is possible at any time, independent of course attendance.
Can I postpone my exam date?
Postponing of your already booked exam date is possible after prior notification via an online form.
Please note that only the given examination dates for the respective type of examination are eligible for rebooking and that according to the examination conditions a rebooking fee will be charged.
Please contact us in time if you want to change your exam date.
What happens if I have to cancel my exam due to illness?
If you are unable to take your telc examination due to illness, please inform us before the examination begins. A medical certificate is required so that you can receive a refund of the examination fee minus the registration fee. Please inform yourself about the examination conditions.
How can I have a partial result of a previous examination credited to my exam?
If you take a failed examination again, you can have a partial result (written or oral part) from a previous examination taken into account. You then do not need to repeat the corresponding part of the examination. The result will be credited against your new examination result. Previous results can only be credited for the same examination (e.g. B1 for B1, B2 for B2, etc.). A crediting of C1 for C1 Hochschule or vice versa is not possible. Please also note the information on the validity of your result on the back of the result sheet, as crediting is only possible in a certain period of time.
For the examinations A2-B1, B1-B2 Pflege and B2-C1 Medizin as well as B1-B2 Beruf and B2-C1 Beruf no partial results of previous examinations can be credited.
The participant is responsible for the validity in terms of time and content of his certificate data transmitted to us.
When do I have to be at the examination centre on the day of the examination and how does the examination work?
After you have registered for the examination and paid the examination fee, you will receive an e-mail confirmation containing information and rules for the examination day. Please read these instructions carefully!
If you register in person at our office, we will provide you with a written list of the instructions and rules, which we will of course point out to you when you register.
If you do not show up on time on the day of the exam, you cannot take part in the exam!
Which aids are allowed?
No aids are allowed.
When can I find out the results and where can I get my certificate?
You can find out whether the results for your examination are already available on the page with the result status. The results are usually available about 6 weeks after the exam. We usually send your result by mail, but you can also pick it up in person by showing your photo ID.
Can I get the results any faster?
Unfortunately, there is no way to get the results any faster. An express correction is not possible.
Can the result be sent to me?
The results are usually sent by post. If you would like to collect your results personally from us, please inform us accordingly. Please understand that it is not possible to send the results by e-mail or abroad.
Can someone else pick up my certificate?
With a signed power of attorney and a copy of your identity card or passport, you can have the certificate picked up by a person you trust. The person must also carry an identity card or passport.