Internationale Deutsch-
Olympiade 2024

• The Internationale Deutscholympiade (IDO) is the world’s biggest contest for German language learners. In 2024, it will take place from 15 to 22 July according to the motto “DABEI SEIN! Wissen schaffen. Zukunft machen” (“BE THERE! Creating knowledge. Making the future”).
• The final elimination is contested every two years with the venue alternating between Goethe-Institut cities in Germany. In the past, the following cities have hosted the IDO: Dresden in 2008, Hamburg in 2010, Frankfurt in 2012 and 2014, Berlin in 2016, Freiburg in 2018, in digital format with a Dresden connection in 2020, and Hamburg again in 2022. Göttingen will host the event for the first time in 2024.

• The next edition of the IDO is due to take place in Göttingen from 15 to 22 July 2024. Its motto: “DABEI SEIN! Wissen schaffen. Zukunft machen” (“BE THERE! Creating knowledge. Making the future”).
• Next summer, around 100 students and 50 accompanying teachers from over 50 countries will gather in Göttingen for the finale. 

School children who have qualified at A2, B1 or B2 level in a Nationale Deutscholympiade (NDO) or other national selection procedure are eligible to compete in the IDO. Participants must be between 14 and 17 years of age.
Two students may participate per country. The students may qualify in different levels or in the same level.

In line with the principles of fairness, the following persons are not allowed to participate in the contest: 

• students whose mother tongue is German or who have at least one German-speaking parent
• students who have lived for more than six months at a time in a German-speaking country since turning three
• students at German schools abroad
• students of local private schools whose principal language of instruction and communication is German
• students who already have a language scholarship for Germany for 2024
• students who have already started studying at a university
• students who are already of legal age (18 or older).

Students who provide false information about themselves will be disqualified and/or stripped of their title.

The winners of the qualifying rounds in each participating country’s national contest (Nationale Deutscholympiade) may then represent their country in the finals in Göttingen.  

The language training departments at Goethe-Instituts abroad are responsible for organizing their Nationale Deutscholympiade in concert with the German teachers’ association and other local partners.

• Contact your local Goethe-Institut to register for the Nationale Deutscholympiade. Each country is responsible for organizing its Nationale Deutscholympiade in detail, so we cannot provide any universally applicable information here.
• Nationale Deutscholympiade can sign up for the Internationale Deutscholympiade at a Goethe-Institut or Goethe-Institut liaison office abroad.