Objective and target group

Objective: To update the knowledge acquired during training, expand subject-specific didactic knowledge and teaching skills and acquire additional formal qualifications. Target group: DLL is aimed at teachers of German as a world language or German as a second language with or without teaching experience. Even without a degree in German studies or German as a world language, teachers can expand their skills with units from the DLL series. The prerequisite for participation is knowledge of German at level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The units are particularly promising for teachers if they are already teaching, have teaching experience or have completed internships or work shadowing in German lessons.

flexible : weekly work packages with free time allocation interactive : exchange with other German teachers online : access to the Goethe-Institut's interactive learning platform from anywhere practical : comprehensive materials for independent learning tutored : feedback from qualified tutors certified : certificate from the Goethe-Institut quality : used worldwide for the qualification of DaF & DaZ teachers Not convinced yet? Hear directly from our participants and instructors what they have to say about DLL! Interview with Karla Gotham , DLL Interview with Melanie Mello , DLL course participant who trains teachers in North America as part of the GEM program Interview with Marje Stock , DLL course instructor who trains German teachers through the DLL professional development series

Practical continuing education and training program for teachers on new didactic content , developed according to current didactic knowledge. Action / teacher research: Teachers gain new didactic knowledge and insight by observing their own and other teachers’ lessons and by recognizing and trying out new potential courses of action in the classroom. Each unit ends with a 2-week final project ( Practical Exploration Project or PEP ), in which the new theoretical approaches of the DLL unit are reviewed and assessed in the teacher’s own teaching practice. The Practical Exploration Project initiates changes in the classroom and helps to increase the professionalism of teachers. Successful completion includes the submission of 3-5 pages of documentation in which the implementation and the results are described and evaluated in detail. Participants will receive individual feedback from the tutors. Sharing of experience among colleagues Reflective experiential learning

Format: 100% online with three 60-minute face-to-face live sessions, in which cooperative projects are worked on and course content is discussed. The dates and times of the live sessions will be agreed upon after the course starts, and usually take place at the end of the first, fourth, and seventh weeks of the course. Duration: 10 weeks of around 8-10 hours/week for a total of ca. 90 hours Assignments: Exchange in forums on the learning platform Exploration exercises Reflection exercises Tutored portfolio exercises Practical Exploration Project (PEP) Course assignments must be completed during the week in which they are assigned. Intercultural aspect of the continuing education program: Multinational group of participants, comparison of lesson plan models from various teaching and learning cultures to exchange experiences and gain a better understanding of other educational systems

6 completed exploration exercises all reflection exercises Participation in at least 2 of 3 online live sessions (if one of the 3 sessions is missed, the participant can instead watch the recording and submit a summary) successful Practical Exploration Project (PEP)

Deutsch lehren lernen
for German teachers

Practical continuing education and professional development series
Designed around your own instruction needs and that of your students
Suited for professionals switching careers

The innovative concept of DLL puts the attention on the daily practices and challenges of the German language classroom and deals with the key players and fundamental elements of instruction. Topics such as language skills, grammar, vocabulary, phonetics, literature, classroom formats, etc. are integrated into a competence-driven teaching concept. With the help of a collection of lesson recordings and the Practical Exploration Projects (PEPs), participants acquire action-relevant knowledge for their own teaching.

GET ACQUAINTED WITH THE DLL- CONCEPT

DLL at a glance:

Qualifications for teachers of German as a World Language and German as a Second Language
Advanced training and professional development programmes at the Goethe-Institut
Course taught entirely in German
Developing and improving teaching skills
Learning under the guidance of professional DLL tutors
Observing own and other people’s lessons with video recordings of DaF-lessons worldwide
Reflecting on and optimizing teaching practices

Starting next

January 13 - March 24, 2026
DLL 1: Teaching Competence and Lesson Planning
DLL 3: Teaching German as a World Language
DLL 5: Technology and Media in the German Classroom
DLL 6: Curricular Requirements and Lesson Planning

Register now
Registration closes December 16, 2025