Geprüfter Berufsspezialist für fremdsprachige Kommunikation/Geprüfte Berufsspezialistin für fremdsprachige Kommunikation

Preparatory courses for the examination take place at the respective educational institution. Learning locations are typically training rooms.

Occupation type: Advanced training profession (Weiterbildungsberuf), specialist in foreign language communication. Type of advanced training: Advanced training examination according to nationwide standardized regulations. Participation in preparatory courses is not required. Duration of advanced training: Approximately 6-9 months (part-time). Tasks and activities: Specialists in foreign language communication maintain international relations for a company division. They process foreign language documents such as contracts and translate business-related facts and sources. Furthermore, they exchange information with international clients and business contacts through various communication channels. They inform employees about cultural and country-specific peculiarities to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts in international cooperation. Additionally, they plan and follow up on appointments, trips, events, trade fair appearances, and conferences. Areas of work and locations: Employing companies: Specialists in foreign language communication...

Part-time: Approximately 6-9 months.

Distribution of hours (example): Learning and working methodology: 10 teaching hours. Oral communication in the foreign language: 100 teaching hours. Written communication in the foreign language: 160 teaching hours. Organizing and coordinating in the foreign language: 60 teaching hours. Advising and supporting in intercultural matters, also in the foreign language: 100 teaching hours. Total number of hours: 430 teaching hours.

Course fees are incurred for attending preparatory courses, and examination fees for the examination itself. Additional costs may arise, for example, for working materials, travel to the training location, or external accommodation. Funding opportunities: Preparatory courses for the advanced training examination can be financially supported according to the Advanced Training Assistance Act (Aufstiegsfortbildungsförderungsgesetz). Further information: Aufstiegs-BAföG - Advancement with funding. Funding for particularly talented young professionals: Stiftung Begabtenförderung berufliche Bildung (SBB) - Weiterbildungsstipendium.

Oral and written communication in the foreign language: Conducting and managing conversations appropriately for the target audience, especially using various media to present, explain, and discuss complex technical content and arguments. Maintaining exchange with international clients, business partners, and employees. Corresponding with clients, business partners, and in internal business processes in a target-audience and situation-appropriate manner. Drafting documents and texts for internal and external use, e.g., presentations and minutes. Organizing and coordinating in the foreign language: Planning, coordinating, and following up on appointments, trips, events, trade fair appearances, and meetings. Researching, evaluating, and preparing business-related content. Evaluating, classifying, and prioritizing foreign language documents such as contracts and correspondence. Advising and supporting in intercultural matters. Researching cultural and country-specific peculiarities.

In-depth knowledge in the following areas is a good prerequisite for successfully passing the advanced training examination: Foreign languages, for example, to formulate complex correspondence appropriately for the addressee and situation. Regional studies, for example, to advise on international team and project work.

The advanced training consists of theoretical and practical lessons. Depending on the educational provider, one should be prepared for the following conditions: Class times for part-time advanced training are on weekends or in the evenings. The learning format is generally in-person events: classroom instruction at the educational institution, which may not be in one's place of residence.

Participation in preparatory courses is not remunerated.

The following advanced training alternatives are available for the profession of Specialist in Foreign Language Communication: In the field of Foreign Languages, options include Translator (advanced training), Business Administrator (Fachschule - technical college) for Foreign Trade / Bachelor Professional in Business, or Certified Specialist for Foreign Trade (Geprüfter Fachwirt für Außenwirtschaft) / Bachelor Professional in Foreign Trade. Their commonality is communicating with foreign business partners and customers. In the field of Office and Secretarial work, options include Business Administrator (Fachschule) for Communication and Office Management / Bachelor Professional in Business, Certified Specialist for Office and Project Organization (Geprüfter Fachwirt), Certified Industrial Specialist (Geprüfter Industriefachwirt), or Certified Business Specialist (Geprüfter Wirtschaftsfachwirt). Their commonality is handling specialized tasks in the office.

In 1999, the nationwide regulation on the advanced training examination for the recognized qualification 'Geprüfter Fremdsprachenkorrespondent/Geprüfte Fremdsprachenkorrespondentin' (Certified Foreign Language Correspondent) came into force. In 2020, the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) and the Crafts Code (HWO) were amended, including the introduction of advanced training qualifications such as 'Geprüfte/r Berufsspezialist/in', 'Bachelor Professional', and 'Master Professional' to emphasize the equivalence of vocational and academic education. The use of these professional titles depends on the enactment of corresponding new advanced training regulations. In 2023, the regulation on the examination for the recognized advanced training qualification 'Geprüfter Berufsspezialist/Geprüfte Berufsspezialistin für fremdsprachige Kommunikation' (Certified Specialist for Foreign Language Communication) came into force, and the previous examination regulation for 'Geprüfter Fremdsprachenkorrespondent/Geprüfte Fremdsprachenkorrespondentin' was repealed. In 2024, the Vocational Training Validation and Digitalization Act (Berufsbildungsvalidierungs- und -digitalisierungsgesetz) came into force with adjustments.

Qualification title: Geprüfter Berufsspezialist für fremdsprachige Kommunikation/Geprüfte Berufsspezialistin für fremdsprachige Kommunikation (Certified Specialist for Foreign Language Communication)

The Specialist for Foreign Language Communication is a vocational advanced training. The examination is uniformly regulated nationwide in Germany. It is not mandatory to attend a course to be admitted to the examination.

After their advanced training, Specialists for Foreign Language Communication work in companies across almost all economic sectors. They can keep their expertise current, up-to-date, and expand it through adaptive training in topics ranging from foreign trade to business languages. Building on existing qualifications, advanced training courses, such as a business administrator for foreign trade, can expand and complement their competence profile. With this advanced training qualification, Specialists for Foreign Language Communication can gain access to university studies even without a general higher education entrance qualification (schulische Hochschulzugangsberechtigung) and, for example, acquire a Bachelor's degree in Intercultural Communication. Self-employment is also an option.

For the examination: Regulation on the examination for the recognized advanced training qualification named Certified Specialist for Foreign Language Communication (Fremdsprachenkommunikation-Fortbildungsprüfungsverordnung - FremdSprKFPrV) from 21.09.2023 (BGBl. 2023 I Nr. 255). Further: Certified Specialist for Foreign Language Communication - Framework plan with learning objectives, 2023 (Deutscher Industrie- und Handelskammertag - DIHK).

The prerequisite for admission to the advanced training examination is generally: completion of a recognized 3-year commercial, administrative, or service-oriented Ausbildung (vocational training); or completion of another recognized Ausbildung and at least 1 year of relevant professional experience; or at least 4 years of professional experience with significant relevance to tasks in the field of foreign language communication. Written and oral foreign language skills are also required.