Courses in Germany

There are numerous opportunities to learn German in Germany. Besides courses run by colleges, adult education organisations, and commercial language schools the intermediary organisations for foreign cultural policy offer courses tailored to the needs of learners and their available time. Making contact with Germans in one's leisure time implies a further part of its language skills.

In the Basic Level students are enabled to effectively use the German language in many daily situations as well as in their profession.

The exam Certificate German (ZD) developed by the Goethe Institute with the German Association of Adult Education is recognised and accepted around the world as proof of the successful completion of the Basic Level in German. The ZD is proof of language skills at the B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. For acquirement of the ZD-Certificate approximately 350 to 600 teaching units of the German language are needed.

Providers:

Goethe Institutes,

Carl Duisberg Centres,

Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations,

interDaF at the Herder Institute.

In the Intermediate Level (corresponding to the B2 to C1 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) students are enabled to take part in lengthier conversations, understand more complex texts and to compose texts of their own.

The Intermediate Level concludes with an examination at the level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. At many German universities and further-education institutions, foreign applicants with the Certificate C1 are exempted from the language entrance test.

Providers:

Goethe Institutes,

Carl Duisberg Centres,

Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations,

interDaF at the Herder Institute.

The Advanced Level Courses imparts differentiated knowledge of the German standard language that enables learners to understand complex texts and express themselves well orally and in writing.

The certificate of the Central Advanced Level Examination (ZOP) conforms to the level C2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and is seen in the business world as certification of good German language skills for professional life. It exempts from the German language entrance examination for German universities.

Provider:

Goethe Institutes.

These intensive courses prepare for the German Language University Entrance Exam for Foreign Students (DSH) or the worldwide used Language Test for Entrance to Universities (Test DaF).

Providers:

Goethe Institutes in Bremen, Dresden, Göttingen und Mannheim-Heidelberg,

Carl Duisberg Centres,

Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations in Stuttgart,

The Goethe Institute offers German lessons as distance learning courses at all levels (A1 to C2) as well as special distance study courses for German teachers.

The way of learning is via internet, using a book or listening to audio cassettes supervising individually by qualified learning teachers. The leaving certificates are in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides information about the German language university entrance exam for foreign students (DSH).

DSH preparation is carried out within our Intensiv 8 course programm at the Goethe Institute Mannheim and the Carl Duisberg Centres in Dortmund and Cologne.

Provider: TestDaF-Institute.

This examination is for students with advanced knowledge of German and tests whether students are able to understand the language used in university contexts.

TestDaF is a central standardised examination of German as a foreign language, modelled on the US "Tests of English as a Foreign Language" (TOEFL). Tests may be taken at test centres in Germany as well as in applicants' home countries (world-wide test centres).

The Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations and the Goethe Institutes in Göttingen and Bremen are offering a TestDaF preparation course.

The Carl Duisberg Centres offer a special TestDaF examination training. Four times a year according to the schedule of the TestDaF Institute examinations are carried out in the Test Centres.

To be admitted to study any subject at a university in Germany, proof must be given of adequate German language proficiency. This proof can be given by passing one of the following exams:

For those who need German in their jobs.

Provider: Goethe Institute in Berlin.

Qualification: Business German Certificate (ZDfB).

Provider: Goethe Institute in Freiburg.

This course provides an introduction to the language of business and administration and is designed to prepare participants for the PWD examination in business German.

Providers:

Goethe Institute in Freiburg,

Goethe Institute in Düsseldorf,

Carl Duisberg Centres.

The course includes intensive study of special terminology and common grammatical structures in legal texts. The programme also includes visits to courts and university facilities. An integral component of the course is comprised of seminars with legal specialists on various topics such as civil and criminal law.

Provider: Goethe Institute in Bonn.

The eight-week course "German plus internship" integrates an internship into your language training programme. There are good opportunities for internships in tourism (including hotels and restaurants), mechanical engineering, banking, the retail sector, municipal administration and design.

Providers:

Goethe Institute in Schwäbisch Hall,

Carl Duisberg Centres.

Whether for pleasure, university studies or business: Custom-made courses are available, both in small groups and on a one-to-one basis. The course contents are tailored to your needs.

Providers:

Goethe Institutes,

Carl Duisberg Centres.

Professional development course for German teachers at the elementary level, provided at the Goethe Institutes in Göttingen and Schwäbisch Hall.

This course is intended for teachers whose native language is not German, and who teach German as a second language at elementary or secondary schools. Provided at the Goethe Institutes in:

Göttingen

Schwäbisch Hal

Freiburg

Bremen

Berlin

Frankfurt/Main

The Goethe Institute offers German language courses:

for children and teens,

combined language and soccer, winter sports or music courses,

the course German for Over-50s for the older generation as well as

common and particular Intensive Language Courses on political and economic subjects within line the language-programme "DeutschLand - German language in Germany" (website in German and French).

The Carl Duisberg Centres amongst others provide:

Summer Courses for Young People,

combined, so-called "German plus Culture and Sports" language courses (for instance Winter Special, Classical Music or Art and Language).

Foreigner legally and permanently residing in Germany or citizen of a EU member state, can be granted permission by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) to attend an integration course according to § 44 section 4 of the Residence Act if they are not or no longer legally entitled to attend such a course according to § 44 section 1 of the Residence Act.

The German Test for immigrants is addressed to migrants living permanent in Germany. It is arranged as completion of the integration course and replaces the Certificate German.