Adult language courses are part of lifelong learning, also known as 'adult education'. This type of education is characterised by the resumption of classes or training to acquire skills/qualifications that go beyond initial school or academic education.

There are many reasons for wanting to better one's language skills:

• improvement as part of a professional activity;
• integration into Luxembourg society;
• cultural needs;
• leisure activity, etc.

There are two options for adults wishing to take language courses in Luxembourg: the courses offered by the National Institute for Languages (INL, formerly the

Who is concerned

All adults, regardless of their age, education or nationality, may participate in a language course of their choice corresponding to their level of competence.

Prerequisites

Anyone no longer subject to mandatory schooling (except by ministerial decree) may be admitted to these classes.

How to proceed

Language courses at the National Institute for Languages

Introduction and methodology

Located in Luxembourg City and Mersch, the, National Institute for Languages is responsible for providing language courses to adult audiences wishing to acquire or improve their oral or written communication skills in one of the following 8 languages: French, German, Luxembourgish, English, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish and Chinese.

Like many language schools in Europe, INL bases its teaching, learning and assessment on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) published by the Council of Europe.

Language courses at the INL take place from 08.00 to 21.00 from Monday to Friday and are organised during the spring and autumn semesters. Enrolments for the autumn semester begin in June and for the spring semester in January.

In this context, the training currently offered by INL:

• follows the progression of the CEFR's 6 skill levels, from A1 for elementary users to C2 for fluent speakers;
• is in the target language from level A1 onwards;
• is based on interactivity: learners participate in courses through language activities in various skills (comprehension, speaking, interacting, reading, writing), making use of all the tools of the language: grammar, spelling, vocabulary, pronunciation, etc.;
• promotes autonomy and encourages reflection about learning approaches and regular self-assessment;
• is accompanied by a standardised evaluation and a skills assessment expressed in terms of European levels issued at the end of the course.

Currently, the language courses offered by the INL are as follows:

• general language courses for beginners and non-beginners;
• courses for specific objectives;
• a training course in the teaching of Luxembourgish (Zertifikat Lëtzebuerger Sprooch a Kultur).

Integration courses (20 hours per week) allow adult immigrants to acquire basic training quickly in French and Luxembourgish.

Registration for a course

Any new enrolment in an INL course takes place in 3 steps:

1. Online application for admission

Candidates complete one application for admission per language chosen. The application fee is EUR 10, non-refundable, per academic year and per language, and must be paid on submission of the application (or within 3 working days).

The date of payment of the application fee determines priority for the making of appointments.

Students who are already taking courses at the INL enrol for the next level with the teacher during the last few classes of the semester.

2. Setting up an individual appointment online

Applicants receive an SMS or email informing them when they can start scheduling appointments. They can make an appointment through their personal account on the website, subject to validation of payment of the application fee.

Candidates look at the schedule and choose an appointment for an interview with a teacher at forthcoming orientation and registration days.

3. Interview and registration days

During the interview of approximately 15 minutes, the teacher and the applicant together determine the training best suited to the applicant's needs and abilities.

Non-beginner applicants check their level using an entry test based on the CEFR.

After choosing their course, applicants pay their registration fee within 3 days.

Applicants must provide the following documents:

• confirmation of appointment, which can be printed through their account (home, registration);
• a copy of their identity document;
• any documents that entitle them to a reduced rate.

Payment

Final enrolment is decided by the INL according to the learner's language skills, and attracts payment of a registration fee per course.

Applicants can pay their registration fee:

• online with a secure credit card (MasterCard, Visa): applicants log onto their account to register their credit card and print their confirmation of registration to present on the first day of the course;
• by wire transfer or direct deposit: applicants log onto their account and print their payment notice, which they give to the reception desk or send by post to the INL with proof of payment. They print their registration confirmation to present on the first day of the course.

Reduced fee

Special rates may apply to persons whose registration is made or requested by:

• jobseekers on benefits;
• beneficiaries of the social inclusion income (REVIS) from the National Office for Social Inclusion (ONIS);
• persons recognised as being in need by the Luxembourg Office for Reception and Integration or the communal social welfare offices;
• civil servants, State employees and similar persons, provided that the course is organised specifically for them;
• post-primary pupils, based on a reasoned cover letter from the headmaster of their school.

Beneficiaries must comply with the following conditions:

• at the beginning of each semester, they must present a certificate from the appropriate administrative department in their name at the time of registration;
• the reduced fee is applicable only to those who attend at least 80 % of classes organised each month. In case of absence, students must present an official certificate justifying the absence. A monthly attendance rate of less than 80 % results in the registration fee being charged in full. Refusal to pay results in immediate exclusion from the class;
• the reduced fee applies only to general language courses. For courses with a specific objective, a written request must be sent to INL management. In this case, the INL reserves the right to limit the number of courses allocated to persons benefiting from a reduced fee.

Unless otherwise provided by the INL, application of the reduced registration fee is limited to learning one of the 3 administrative languages of the country, or English, and applies to one course per semester only, between 08.00 and 12.00 and between 14.00 and 16.00.

Language courses organised by colleges, communes or associations

Many language courses (French, German, English, Luxembourgish, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Czech, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Swedish, Polish, Albanian, Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian, Greek, Dutch and Latin) are offered throughout the country. For language learners at all levels (beginners, advanced, etc.), language courses are organised by colleges, communes or some non-profit associations, under the auspices of the Department of Adult Education of the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth. They normally take place in the evening twice a week.

Registration for language examinations

The National Institute for Languages is the National Centre of Certification for regulated diplomas and certificates for the Luxembourgish language. This means that the INL is responsible for preparing, organising and conducting the tests in the Luxembourgish language required for the acquisition of Luxembourg nationality, the 'Sproochentest Lëtzebuergesch'.

Similarly, the INL oversees the pedagogical and administrative management of diplomas for foreigners who do not speak Luxembourgish, the 'Lëtzebuergesch als Friemsprooch' (LaF) examinations and their variations, for the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth based on the levels of the CEFR.

Thanks to agreements with foreign institutes, the INL offers all interested persons the possibility of taking international tests and examinations in all languages taught (with the exception of Chinese) to obtain official recognition of their language skills. A diagnostic test of language skills is also available in German, English and French.

Taking a language exam or test is subject to the payment of a registration fee. The registration fee must be paid for each exam or test before the registration deadline to the account LU57 1111 2993 9957 0000. Proof of payment must be provided at the time of registration.

The registration fee is subject to an increase if the candidate postpones his participation in the exam or test to a later session. The increase amounts to 50 % of the registration fee.

If the candidate withdraws from the exam or test, 70 % of the registration fees paid will be reimbursed. The candidate must send a written and substantiated request together with any supporting documents to the management of the INL before the registration deadline expires.

Becoming a Luxembourgish language teacher

The Law of 22 May 2009, which established the National Institute for Languages, also created the 'Zertifikat Lëtzebuerger Sprooch a Kultur'. The training given was developed by the National Institute for Languages and is offered by the INL in collaboration with the University of Luxembourg. The non-university course of 120 hours spread over 3 modules allows anyone interested – especially those wishing to teach Luxembourgish – to gain a deeper working knowledge of all aspects of the language (spelling, linguistics, lexicography, literature, etc.), and acquire Luxembourgish teaching and evaluation skills. Another part of the course is about Luxembourg's history, culture and literature, current political and socio-economic topics, and so on.

Who to contact