The Arqus Summer School for German and Spanish kicks off at Leipzig University

Organised by the Language Centre at Leipzig University and the Modern Language Centre at the University of Granada, the programme started with 30 participants from Germany and Spain spending two weeks together in Leipzig for an intensive course in Spanish and German, complemented with a wide range of cultural activities.

The Spanish and German students met for the first time at Leipzig University on the morning of 11 August, taking part in a bilingual speed-dating session. In the afternoon, they attended the official opening of the Arqus German-Spanish Summer School at the Augustusplatz campus

During the opening session in the seminar building, participants were welcomed by professor Olaf Bärenfänger, Director of the Language Centre at Leipzig University, and Kerstin Gackle, academic staff at the Language Centre and co-coordinator of the Arqus working group Plurilingual and International Hug. Together, they provided insights into the history of Leipzig University and explained the role it plays within the Arqus Alliance.

“We prepare our students for a world that is becoming increasingly multicultural, multilingual and competitive. As these are certainly your goals as well, I can assure you that you are in the right place at this summer school in Leipzig” said Bärenfänger, encouraging the students to make the most out of the coming weeks.

After their time in Leipzig, the two groups will go their separate ways: Spanish students will spend another two weeks in Leipzig intensively improving their German language skills, while German students will travel to Granada to complete the Spanish language part of the programme.