OLS-Linguistic Support
NOTE: This website is currently being updated.
The Online Language Support (OLS) in the Erasmus+ program is available via the EU Academy platform for students going abroad starting from the academic year 2022/23.
You can voluntarily take OLS language tests and courses online in preparation before, during and after your stay abroad. Test your knowledge and visit courses in as many languages as you wish! Currently the OLS platform is available in the most used languages: EN, FR, DE, ES, IT. This will be expanded successively!
You can get started directly via the following link.
Since the system is not completely self-explanatory, you can find a manual here (unfortunately only available in German).
If you have any questions or technical difficulties, please contact the Help-Center of the European Commission.
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From here on the indicated information is valid for students until the academic year 2021/22!
Untill June 2022 the Erasmus + program enables you to further improve your language skills through online language support (Online Linguisitc Support -OLS). OLS is divided into two parts:
1. Language assessment obligatory for all Erasmus + students before their stay abroad.
2. Language courses in which you can participate before and during your stay abroad voluntarily. As well as the possibility to take a second test after the language course.
You will receive the link to the language tests and courses from your outgoing coordinator. The following languages are currently available: Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, German, Greek, English, Spanish, Estonian, Finnish, French, Irish, Croatian, Hungarian, Italian, Lithuanian, Latvian, Maltese, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak , Slovenian, Swedish.
More information about the language offer can be found in the following overview.
Further information can be found on the OLS website and summarized in the following FAQ:
Do I have to take part in the language test or language course?
Participating in the language test is obligatory before the mobility. You do not need to take the test after the mobility,
- if you achieved C2 level in the first assessment before your mobility or
- if you were or are abroad in the academic years 2019/20 or 2021/22 for your study abroad, as well as for the following academic year 2022/23.
The participation in the language course is voluntary. You will be assigned a course automatically if your level is B1 or below. It is your decision to take part in a course using your license but we highly recommend it to you.
Which languages are offered?
The OLS is available in all 24 official languages of the EU: Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Irish, Italian, Lithuanian, Latvian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovakian, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish.
More information regarding the language can be found in this overview.
How long will my OLS account remain active?
After the first connection to the language course via your OLS account, it remains active for a maximum of 13 months. During this time, access to the OLS language course will remain.
Where do I get the login information?
It will be sent to you by email, probably to your private email account (check your spam folder!).
What does „main language of instruction" mean?
„Main language of instruction" refers to the mostly used language of instruction in your courses abroad, not the local language(s) of your host country(ies).
You have been assigned the wrong main language of instruction?
Please let your Erasmus coordinator of your home university know immediately! Do not finish entering your data, otherwise we cannot change your language.
I have two languages of instruction, do I have to take two language tests?
No, you can only take a language test in the language you are planning to take the majority of your courses in.
I am a native speaker in my main language of instruction, do I have to take the test?
No. If you want to take the test in the local language (if it is a different than your main language of instruction) then please let your Erasmus coordinator know.
When do I have to take the test?
Before the mobility is mandatory, afterwards voluntary. Both tests are similar making it easy to see your progress. After your mobility (the period of time is entered by you) you have one month to complete the second test.You will be asked to do so automatically by E-Mail. The entered period of time can be changed by you anytime in the OLS system. You do not need to take the test after the mobility,
- if you achieved C2 level in the first assessment before your mobility or
- if you were abroad in the academic year 2020/21, 2021/22.
How long does the test take?
The higher your level is the more time the test will take. To reach level C2 it normally takes 40-50 minutes. You can also save your progress in the test and continue later. Please be aware that only finished sections can be saved.
In which language can I take a language course?
You can take the language course in your main language of instruction and/or in the local language(s) of your host country(ies), depending on whether you reached the necessary level in the assessment test (B1 or A2, depending on the language - see next question).
How do I get access to the language course?
If you passed the first assessment in German, English, Spanish, French, Italien, Dutch or Portuguese with a level between A1 and B1, you will be allocated with a language course in this tested language automatically.
In Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Greek, Estonian, Finnish, Irish, Croatian, Hungarian, Lithuanian, Latvian, Maltese, Polish, Romanian, Slovak , Slovenian and Swedish you will automatically receive a course license if you passed with below A2. If you achieve a better result, you can take an OLS language course in the main language of your study abroad or/and in the national language(s) of the destination of your mobility, provided that this language is available in OLS.
Can I participate take two langauge courses online?
Yes. After the first language assessment you can participate in a or more courses in the local language(s) of your host country.
Example: An Erasmus+ student in Belgium could use up to four language courses (main language of instrudtion: English; local languages: German, French and Dutch).
Important: Please select your local language(s) when editing your OLS mobility profile the first time. You may still be able to change your local language(s) after you took the first assessment test (to change your languages, please go to the OLS system under "Profile", then to "Edit mobilities" and select both languages under "Learning languages" then press save. Your mobility dashboard should now display several language courses). Please be aware that you will not be able to add another language after you clicked/started your first language course.
How much time do I have for the online language course?
You can participate in the language course before and during your mobility. The approximate duration can be entered by you when you log in the first time for your language test. This time starts when you first log in to the language course. So if your mobility takes about 4 months and you log yourself in before, your license may expire before your return. To avoid that you can enter a longer duration of your mobility which you can do anytime in the system. You have access to the system 24/7, allowing you to use the platform whenever you want. It is advised to study at least 2 hours per week with the learning module.
How does the language course look like?
You will get a personalized training program but you are also free to choose which modules you find useful. You can also participate in "Massive Open Online Courses" (MOOCs) or take part in virtual tutorials with native speakers ans other OLS participants.
Do I have to take a minimum number of exercises?
No, you do not have to. You can decide for yourself how intense you want to use the course modules.
Do I receive a certificate?
There won’t be any certificates, since the OLS language tests and courses are not designed to do so. But they enable for you to work for yourself on your language skills.