Training for ÖSD examiners

1. Phases of training and renewal of examiner authorization

1.) Language skills

Excellent knowledge of German is a prerequisite for working as an ÖSD examiner. If German is not your first language, the language skills must be proven by means of a relevant proof of language skills:

• for training for the ÖSD exams at levels A1—B1: proof of language skills at level C1 with very good results in all skills (reading, listening, writing, speaking)
• for training for the ÖSD exams at levels B2—C2: proof of language skills at level C2 with very good results in all skills (reading, listening, writing, speaking)

Both ÖSD certificates and corresponding other internationally recognized certificates such as from the Goethe-Institute or telc are considered proof of German language skills. However, all evidence should not be older than three years when qualifying for the first time.

2.) Studies and training

To acquire an ÖSD examiner license, you must have a relevant degree or other subject-specific training.

This can be a degree in German (or a degree in German as a Foreign and Second Language – DaF/DaZ), a degree in a modern foreign language, linguistics or translation studies or a comparable field of study with a focus on foreign language didactics.

Alternatively, completed training for teaching German as a foreign/second language is also recognised, e.g., corresponding offers at universities and teacher training colleges or comprehensive certificate courses from recognised educational institutions. (approx. 230 teaching unit)

3.) Relevant teaching experience

In addition, you also must prove extensive teaching experience in the field of DaF/DaZ. If you have a relevant degree, you must provide evidence of teaching experience of at least 450 teaching units of 45 minutes each. In the case of a shorter DaF/DaZ training course, teaching experience of at least 1500 teaching units of 45 minutes is required.

4.) Additional requirements

• Profound knowledge of the level descriptions of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR, 2001) and its companion volume (2021)
• Knowledge of Profile deutsch (2005)
• High social skills (friendly and appreciative interaction with test participants, empathy, teamwork, resilience, etc.)

The ÖSD reserves the right to decide on the submitted requirements and admission to the training modules individually and at its own discretion.

2. Upcoming Trainings Sessions

For each ÖSD exam there is a training module for the implementation and assessment of a) the written and b) the oral exam.

The training for ÖSD examiners consists of three “phases” per training module. The so-called pre-qualification refers to the independent preparation, followed by the presence phase online. You then have two months to submit the so-called initial qualification, in which two performance examples must be evaluated.

1.) Pre-qualification (asynchronous self-learning phase)

You will receive an invitation to process the pre-qualification documents in good time before the training day. As part of this, you are expected to familiarize yourself with the relevant exams of the ÖSD and evaluate and assess them independently and individually. Extensive preparatory materials and learning videos are available to you on an online platform, which you can work on anytime and anywhere.

You should plan enough time for the pre-qualification (approx. 3–4 hours per examination module, i.e., approx. 6–8 hours if you register for training for the written and oral examination module).

The positive and timely completion of the pre-qualification is a prerequisite for participation in the training.

2.) Training (synchronous phase in the group)

The synchronous face-to-face phase of our training courses usually takes place online, but can also take place analogously, i.e., take place in direct presence. The individual training modules (written or oral) usually take about 3 hours, so the examiner training for the written and oral exam takes one day per exam format.

In this synchronous presence phase, the content conveyed in the learning videos and other materials provided will be briefly repeated, after which you will have the opportunity to ask questions. Subsequently, the assessments of the written and oral performances that were processed as part of the pre-qualification are discussed. All participants will receive a detailed training program by email approx. 2 days before the training date.

3.) Initial qualification (submission of trial assessments)

After the training, you have two months to complete the initial qualification. To do this, you must evaluate two specified written or oral examinations for the respective module. If your test assessment corresponds to the ÖSD guidelines, an ÖSD examiner license for this examination module will be granted. Finally, you will also receive a corresponding certificate that shows your individual examiner number as well as the module of exams that you can now give and evaluate.

Please note that at least 3 weeks must be scheduled between the submission of the documents for the initial qualification and any assignment as an ÖSD examiner.

4.) Follow-up qualification/renewal of examiner licenses

ÖSD examiner licenses are valid for 3 years from the date of issue. The period of validity is noted on the license. After the period of validity has expired, you must extend each of your examiner licenses with the so-called follow-up qualification to be able to continue to examine and evaluate the respective examination format in writing or orally.

You must evaluate one authentic examination per examination format and module. If the assessment corresponds to the ÖSD specifications, the respective examiner license will be extended for a further 3 years. If the follow-up qualification is not submitted or not completed positively, the respective examiner license expires. If a renewal is sought (e.g., after a longer period without a valid examiner license), the ÖSD decides on a case-by-case basis whether only the follow-up qualification needs to be submitted or whether the entire training process needs to be repeated.

3. ÖSD examiner license (= ÖSD examiner authorization or ÖSD examiner certificate)

The ÖSD examiner licenses are valid for 3 years from the date of issue. The period of validity is noted on the ÖSD examiner certificate; if it has expired, the respective examiner certificate can be extended by a further three years. The prerequisite is the positive completion of the follow-up qualification (for more on this, see 4. Follow-up qualification / renewal of examiner licenses

4. Registration for the ÖSD examiner training

The registration for the training as examiners at ÖSD examination centres outside of Austria is usually done in accordance with the responsible persons on site and in compliance with the agreed lead times.

If your training as an ÖSD examiner is not organized by your examination centre or as part of a new license, you can register individually via schulung@osd.at.

To register, the completed registration form, the current curriculum vitae in German and the necessary evidence of training, teaching experience and German language skills according to the requirement profile (see above) are sent by email to schulung@osd.at.

You must register for the training courses at least three weeks before the respective training date. Please note that the number of participants in our training courses is limited and timely registration does not guarantee a place in the desired training course. Registration is only considered valid once you have received confirmation by e-mail.

Notes:

• Please save the registration form on your PC before filling it out and check whether your entries have been accepted before sending the form.
• Please note the file name and subject specifications on the registration form.
• The “Billing address” field must be filled out. Subsequent changes to the billing address are not possible.
• We ask for your understanding that incomplete registrations cannot be processed.

The ÖSD head office decides whether the qualifications submitted meet the requirements. Rejection or conditional admission is possible. If you are admitted, you will receive an e-mail with information on how to prepare for the training (so-called pre-qualification).

How long does the online training take?

To acquire examiner licenses for the following examination modules, in addition to the pre-qualification and the initial qualification, half a training day each in the form of a synchronous online attendance phase is required:

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How many participants are required per training module?

The training courses only take place if there are at least four participants.

What are the costs of training to become an ÖSD examiner?

A fee of EUR 50.00 is charged per module (Written Examination Module / Oral Examination Module).

5. Upcoming Training Dates

Please note that all dates take place as online training.
The times shown refer to the Central European Time Zone (CET).