Deutsche Version Frequently Asked Questions Q:What kind of institute is the d.a.i? A: The d.a.i. is a bi-national institution which was founded in 1952 as an Amerika-Haus in order to foster German-American relations. We are not an agency of the United States Government, but rather a public minded society, almost exclusively funded from German sources. Aside from our cultural and political events we offer language courses), and in our library you can find books, newspapers, magazines, videos, DVDs, and audio-books from the United States. Q: Do I have to be a member of the d.a.i. to use its facilities? A: No, but as a member you can use the library exempt from charges. You would also be privileged to free or reduced entrance to all exhibitions and events, a reduced price for language courses, and you would receive frequent updates on our current activities. Q: What does it cost to become a member and how can I become one? A: A single membership costs € 25, family memberships are € 35, and for institutions € 150. The membership lasts one year and is also tax deductible. Entry forms are available here or at the d.a.i. Q: Is the d.a.i. connected to the University of Tübingen? A: We are not a part of the University, but we do work together with the University on many of our events. Q: I am looking for information about studying / internships / work in the United States. Where can I find this? A: Every Thursday from 4.30 to 5.30 PM the d.a.i. offers an individual advisory service. You can find our current program on our homepage under: http://www.dai-tuebingen.de/de/index.php?sec=news&cat=allg. If you cannot make it then, you can look in our "Work and Study" section in the library during our opening times. There you have access to a great deal of information material on this subject, and we try to keep it as current as possible. Most of the materials on this subject are reference books, which means they cannot be checked out. But you are certainly welcome to use them in our library. Students at the University of Tübingen should also seek information from the International Relations Department of the Eberhard Karls-University. Q: What about visa information, e.g. for an internship in the United States? Can I find that here? A: Because the d.a.i. is not an official agent of the United States we are not allowed to make official or binding statements concerning visas. We do offer several reference books which clarify current entry requirements and offer recommendations for those seeking visas. If you would like official information concerning visas, visit the US-Embassy in Germany at their website or call one of the following (very costly) telephone numbers: Recorded Message: 0190 - 270-789 Live Service: 0190 - 88-22-11 Fax: 0190 - 92-110-110 Q: Are you open on Saturdays? A: Yes, the library is open from Tuesday to Friday between 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM, every 1st Saturday of each month from 10.00 – 13.00 PM. Our offices are open from Tuesday to Thursday from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM on Friday until 4:00 PM. Q: Do you do translations or corrections of English texts? A: No, but we will gladly give you the address of a translator. Q: What language courses do you offer? A: We offer English and Spanish courses for different levels and age groups. In our diversified program you can find conversation and grammar courses for beginners as well as more advanced speakers, and also specialized courses such as Business English or English for Medicine. We also offer crash courses for students as well as refresher courses for those who already know English, but are out of practice. Our language courses span three quarters and an additional summer program. Q: I need to improve my English as quickly as possible. What can I do? A: You can take advantage of our intensive courses. Upon request, we also offer private and group instruction. Q: Are your instructors Americans or Germans? A: We work strictly with American "native speakers" in small groups, so that you can be in the ideal setting to learn fundamental English. Q: How can I become a teacher at the d.a.i.? A: You must be a native speaker of American English, come from the USA, at the least have a B.A., and pass a demonstration lesson. Q: How do I find the right course for me? A: Every Wednesday in our secretary's office, we can offer advice on which course fits you the best. Also, at the beginning of every quarter, we offer special consolation and registration meetings. Visit our language courses site for more information. Q: Do I receive a certificate upon finishing a course? A: No, but upon request we will gladly present a written confirmation of participation. Q: Can I take the TOEFL-Test at the d.a.i.? A: At the d.a.i. you can take the Institutional TOEFL, a written test. If you are planning on going abroad to study, you should check with the university in question, whether the Institutional TOEFL is accepted there. The computer-based TOEFL-Test can be taken elsewhere, e.g. in Munich and in Frankfurt. You can check out practice materials from our library, and we also offer a TOEFL Practice Weekend Seminar. More information about the TOEFL-Test can be found at the Educational Testing Service's (ETS) website: http://www.ets.org/ or http://www.toefl.org. There you can find an information brochure as well as information regarding registration. Q: What is the TOEIC Test and where can I take it? A: The TOEIC-Test is an internationally accepted test, which is especially suited for employees who need a certificate of their English skills. You can take the test every first Saturday of the month at the d.a.i., and also prepare for it by attending one of our preparatory language courses. Q: Where can I find information on other tests such as GMAT? A: Either in our library or on the internet at http://www.ets.org/. Q: Does the d.a.i. have any special offerings for English teachers? A: Yes, we offer teaching materials for lesson planning, tours of our library for school classes, and a great deal of presentations suitable for students who are capable of basic English, such as theater performances or educational films in English. Furthermore, we offer whole or half-day workshops for students as well as three-week Teacher Training programs at American Universities. Q: Do you show films in their original version? A: Yes, we show films in English bi-weekly. Monday night is Movie Night! Information about upcoming films can be found under the category Program/Films. Q: Are there other German-American Institutes in Germany? A: Yes, there are 8 additional German-American Institutes and 3 official "Amerikahäuser". You can find an overview of these institutions at the website of the US-Embassy. Q: How can I work for the d.a.i.? A: We are always happy to receive help from volunteers. There are opportunities to help routinely in our library and also sporadically with events and festivals. We also offer internships for students. Q: Who organizes the program? A: DieThe cultural consultants and our managing director work together to plan and organize the events at the institute. An advisory council), in which numerous cultural institutions in Tübingen are represented, assists in the planning through discussion and suggestions; but we always look forward to hearing your ideas! Q: And who is responsible for all this work? A: The members of the German American Society Tübingen e.V. elect a board of directors every second year. This body delegates its wishes to our managing director.