The three-week courses are open and free of charge to all exchange students. Swedish and Norwegian students are not offered intensive pre-semester courses because of the Nordic languages' special character as neighbouring contact languages. However, see the information on 'semester courses'. After an initial interview, students are divided into groups at a variety of levels ranging from beginners to very advanced. Students work in small groups with the four disciplines of listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Emphasis varies according to level.