Language Cafés at Zessko
Students who are passionate about languages have the opportunity to join us in their free time to chat about all things related to languages and cultures in a relaxed and casual environment. Tutors of native-speaker level will be there to co-ordinate the events. Participants are encouraged to actively contribute to the sessions and have their say in planning future topics and activities.
Emphasis is placed primarily on conversation - language and culture should be experienced and discussed together.
Further information for EDUC students
Arabic Language Café
Current Semester - Weekly face-to-face meetings starting 16 October 2025
Thursdays, 18:00 - 19:00, Zessko Media Library, Campus Neues Palais, Haus 19, Raum 1.19.2.11
Impressions: "In the Arabic language café, we explored Arabic cultures and made contacts with fellow students" (WiSe 24/25)
"The linguistic and cultural exchange was fascinating and entertaining for me."(WiSe 23/24)
German Language Café
Current Semester - Weekly face-to-face and online meetings in the Mediothek Campus Neues Palais, starting 13 October 2025
On-Campus: Thursdays, 16:00 - 17:00, House 19, Room 1.19.2.11
Online: Mondays, Mondays, 14:00 - 15:00 via Zoom (Link in Open.UP)
Impressions: "I liked the relaxed atmosphere and possibility to talk to different people." (SoSe 24)
"Am besten fand ich die Atmosphäre - alle waren immer freundlich und offen für kulturelle Unterschiede. Es war sehr einfach, sich in die Gruppe einzubringen, da ich keine Angst hatte zu sprechen. [Wir hatten] eine tolle Tutorin!" (SoSe 24)
English Language Café
Current Semester - Weekly face-to-face and online meetings in the Mediothek Campus Neues Palais, starting 22 October 2025
On-Campus: Mondays, 14:00 - 15:00, House 19, Room 1.19.2.11
Online: Wednesdays, 19:00 - 20:00 via Zoom (Link in Open.UP)
Impressions: "The English Language Café helps me learn English so I can understand things faster." (WiSe 24/25)
"I really like the English Language Café. I met very interesting people there, for instance exchange students from Colombia." (SoSe 24)
Current Semester - Face-to-face meetings in the Media Library on the Griebnitzsee campus, room 3.06.1.17, starting 15. October 2025 (but not on 22 October)
Time: Wednesdays, 16:00 - 17:00
Impressions: "L'animatrice a essayé d'intégrer tous les participants, comme ça chacun/chacune a l'opportunité de partager ses pensées et opinions. Par conséquence, je pouvais améliorer mon français" (WiSe 24/25)
"On est devenus un bon groupe avec beaucoup de thèmes et activités différentes. J’ai spécialement adoré la séance avant Noël. C’est aussi cool qu’il y ait les séances en ligne pour participer plus librement." (WiSe 23/24)
Conversación y Café
Current Semester - as of 13 October 2025 on the Neues Palais campus
Room and Time: TBD, TBA
Impressions: “Mir hat besonders gefallen, dass man die Sprache sprechen und üben konnte ohne den Druck zu haben richtig zu sprechen. Weiterhin fand ich die Vernetzung mit anderen Studenten sehr wichtig.” (SoSe 24)
“Me encanta el formato flexible de las sesiones: a veces leemos textos, a veces hablamos de tradiciones del mundo hispanohablante, a veces jugamos. Es siempre divertido!” (WiSe 24/25)
Anyone who would like to participate and get involved can sign up for the Open.UP language café moodles using the links provided in the light blue boxes above. Spaces are limited.
Information for EDUC-Students
Students from our EDUC partner universities are welcome to participate in the language cafés at the University of Potsdam.
This semester we are offering language cafés in two languages – English and German. The cafés will take place both online and on-campus every week during the lecture period. Please note that no ECTS points can be awarded for participation in language cafés. Students can join the language café groups at any time during the whole semester.
Tandem Language Partnerships present another great opportunity to get to know other students from the University of Potsdam. Interested students can find more information about language tandems at Zessko's Sprachentandem web pages.