Multilanguage studies at Tomorrow
Support available to you as a German language learner
As a learner who has enrolled specifically to study in German, this page sets out exactly what that means in practice across your learning experience, community, and support.
Please read this page carefully, it is your reference point for understanding how language works across different parts of your studies.
📚 Learning
- Asynchronous Learning Materials
All in-app learning content is available in German translation, with the exception of images and visual media, which remain in English.
⚠️ Please note: Visuals, infographics and other media embedded in your learning content are not currently translated. If you find a visual that is unclear, we recommend using a browser-based translation tool to support your understanding.
- Synchronous Learning (Live Sessions)
Live sessions at ToU are delivered in English. Here is what you can expect:
- Language of instruction: English
- Subtitles and translation: The Cosmos platform supports live translation. We recommend enabling this yourself at the start of every session - instructions are below
- Peer discussions: Expected to take place in English, though subtitles remain available to support understanding
- Slides: All slides used during live sessions are in English
- Presentations: Any presentations you deliver during live sessions should also be in English, as we cannot guarantee that Challenge Owners or peers understand German
How to enable translation in Cosmos: Translation is available in all Cosmos rooms and meeting spaces. You can enable it yourself by selecting your preferred language from the settings menu within the room. We recommend doing this as soon as you join a session rather than waiting for staff to enable it for you.
💡 Please note: There is a short delay in the live translation tool which can occasionally affect the flow of discussion. We are aware of this limitation and are working to improve the experience.
💞 Learner Support
- Learner Handbook
You can toggle the handbook between English and German
- Support Tickets
You can submit support tickets in German and our team will do their best to respond in German where possible. Please be aware that:
- Responses may sometimes be in English depending on which team member is handling your query
- All official communications from staff, including academic decisions, records, and certificates, are issued in English
We are actively working to improve consistency in our multilingual support. In the meantime, if you need a decision or communication explained in German, please let us know in your ticket and we will do our best to assist.
📩 Raise a support ticket: Learner Support
- Office Hours
Learner Support Office hours are mainly provided in English, however you can speak to the team member hosting to find out when the next German speaking staff member will be holding one. All Program Director Office Hours are provided in English.
📂 Assessment and Submissions
The language requirements for submissions vary by programme phase and challenge type. Here is a full overview:
| Submission type | Language requirement |
|---|---|
| Written capstones - Orientation and Calibration (individual challenges) | 🟢 German permitted |
| Written capstones - Elevation and Activation | 🔴 English required |
| All group project submissions | 🔴 English required |
| Any submission that includes a presentation | 🔴 English required |
| Thesis - written and defended | 🔴 English required |
⚠️ If you are unsure about the language requirement for a specific submission, please check with your Programme Director or raise a support ticket before submitting.
🤝 Community
- Community Slack Space
Our Community Slack space operates in English. All channels, announcements and community communications are in English.
We have however created a dedicated Slack Channel for all learners who have opted to study in German. You can join the Channel here.
💡 Tip: You can use your browser's built-in translation feature to translate individual Slack messages if needed.
- Community Events
All community events, virtual and in person, including Graduation, are delivered in English.
For ToU-hosted virtual events (such as Expert Events), live translation can be enabled in Cosmos. Please enable this yourself at the start of the event using the language settings in the room.
For peer-led events, Circles and Community of Practice sessions, translation is not always available or appropriate. These spaces operate in English as our shared community language.
- Community Communications
All communications from the Community team are in English. We want to be transparent about this so you can plan accordingly. If you ever need clarification on a piece of communication, please reach out to the Community Team directly.
🛠️ Recommended Tools
We recommend the following tools to support your language experience at ToU:
- DeepL - high quality German-English translation tool, available as a browser extension: deepl.com
- Google Translate - available as a Chrome extension for instant in-browser translation
- Cosmos translation feature - built into the platform for live sessions. Enable it yourself at the start of every session
💬 Questions or Feedback?
If you have questions about language support, or if something in this page is unclear, please reach out via the Learner Support ticketing system or join one of our regular office hours sessions.