A lesson is 45 minutes long. Our courses comprise 30 lessons per week. In the summer months, on the first day of class there are usually no lessons, but instead the placement test is given and student orientation is held. Classes are held Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm. There is an additional lesson on Monday afternoon, as well as two lessons each on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. There are on average 10 students of different nationalities in our classes. The small size assures that each student will actively participate in class. The classes are divided as homogeneously as possible according to the language level of the students. All students are expected to participate fully in their German course. Thus, a certain amount of homework is obligatory in all German classes. It is given regularly and involves preparation before and revision work after the day’s lessons. However, the amount of homework will always allow sufficient time for leisure activities. Written homework will be corrected and returned to the student, serving as an indication of his or her individual progress. All course participants take a weekly test which comprises the content of the preceding week of classes, so that students and teachers can assess the progress made in learning German. For long-term students at the conclusion of each language level (after five weeks) an additional comprehensive skill level exam is given which must be passed with a minimum result of 75% in order to advance to the next level.