Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom (KDS)

This is an examination at an advanced level, which is recognised by German universities for matriculation purposes. The examination is developed in co-operation with the Ludwig- Maximilians-Universität zu München.

There are five components:

Reading

Candidates are expected to read authentic literary texts and to understand the gist as well as specific details. They are also expected to demonstrate knowledge of a wide range of vocabulary, phrasal expressions and idioms. Texts are taken mainly from works of contemporary literature.

There is one text of about 800 words in length with approx. 25 items of the following type: open-ended questions and finding synonyms.

Writing

Candidates are expected to produce written texts which are formally and structurally accurate, with coherent expression of ideas and register.

There are two writing tasks related to the set books. One is of a more general nature, and includes giving a personal view on a topic of one of the set books. Responses should be between 200 and 300 words in length. The second task is related to a short extract from one of the set books (about thirty lines) and responses should be between 250 and 300 words in length. There are four set books, and candidates must write on two of them.

Speaking

Candidates are tested individually by two examiners and are expected to talk about a topic which deals with aspects and problems of contemporary life and to participate actively in a conversation on such a topic. They are expected to organise their spoken discourse in such a way that main and subsidiary points are clearly distinguished.

Candidates have forty minutes to prepare a reading text and a talk. The first part of the test involves reading the text aloud. They then have to give a talk on a topic of general interest (chosen from a list of topics), which tests the ability to talk coherently and logically. Finally, the candidate participates in a conversation on the topic of his talk.

Structural Competence

Candidates are expected to demonstrate their knowledge of the language system by completing tasks which communicate facts on topics of current interest.

There are approx. 40 items of the type gap-filling and sentence transformation.

Dictation

Candidates are expected to understand a text (fictional or non-fictional) and to write using correct spelling and punctuation.

The text is approx. 150 words long and is read four times: first at normal speed, then in small units (each read twice), then again at normal speed.

Weighting of components

Speaking and Reading carry 22.2% of the total marks each, Dictation and Structural Competence 11.2% each and Writing 33.2%.

Results

There are three pass grades: sehr gut (very good), gut (good) and befriedigend (satisfactory). Certificates are awarded to all successful candidates.