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Germany

Learn German with us. Guaranteed.

Concept & quality Photo by bruce mars on Unsplash

The Goethe-Institut is the Republic of Germany’s official cultural institute. With around 270,000 course participants annually, it is the largest provider of German courses worldwide.

70
years

Experience counts

since 1952, worldwide presence teaching German.

The Goethe-Institut stands for the competent and efficient teaching of German as a foreign language. Our recipe for success: lessons are based on clear learning goals and focus on your needs.

278.000

course participants

successfully learnt German at a Goethe-Institut in 2019.

Quality guarantee 1 Learning success at the Goethe-Institut


The Goethe-Institut is Germany’s best language institute!

That was the result of a representative consumer survey conducted by the ServiceValue market research institute on behalf of the Handelsblatt newspaper. Customers view the Goethe-Institut as by far the best language school provider based on their experiences over the past two years.
Source: Handelsblatt, No. 174, 10.09.19, p. 43.

A user survey conducted by Statista, an independent market research institute, on behalf of stern magazine to establish the best offers for pupils and adults in continuing education, also came to the same conclusion. Our learning quality was given the best and, at the same time, most important assessment in the survey. Course participants also assigned us with the best price-performance ratio.
Source: stern, No. 35, 22.08.19, p. 93.

The Goethe-Institut is Germany’s best digital education provider!

In addition to the award as best language teaching institute, the Goethe-Institut also came out on top as the best digital educational provider. This was the result of a survey conducted by the market research institute, ServiceValue, which was commissioned by the Wirtschaftswoche magazine. The Goethe-Institut occupied first place in a comparison of 10 digital educational providers.
Source: WirtschaftsWoche, No. 46, 06/11/2020, p. 107.

In addition to the quantitative studies, our customers and those of our competitors’ made journal entries as part of a qualitative test that was conducted over four weeks: our course participants are more satisfied than those of other language course providers. They make faster progress, have higher learning success, are more motivated and book additional courses more frequently with us.

High level of satisfaction Source: Mindfacts, 2018

High level of satisfaction

Satisfaction among customers of the Goethe-Institut is higher than with other providers.

Repeat booking Source: Mindfacts, 2018

Repeat booking

Customers of the Goethe-Institut are more inclined to book another course than those of our competitors.

We can count on almost 70 years of experience and commitment: we collaborate closely with science and research, are partners on key language projects, rely on proven methods and, at the same time, give important impulses in innovative language teaching. Our systematic, four-year quality management cycle ensures a high level of teaching quality, reliable standards and the continual development of our courses.

In addition, the rate of recommendation is significantly higher than that of our competitors. The reason is that we focus on what is important to our course participants: committed teachers, small courses, a stimulating learning environment, sound methods and content, and strict quality management. We do all these things to help you learn German. Guaranteed.

Quality guarantee 2 Our teachers

Our teachers Photo: Goethe-Institut/Sonja Tobias

What makes good lessons? Good teachers! We also take that to heart for our German as a foreign language courses and fully rely on our qualified, committed and motivated teachers.
 

Our teachers are highly qualified

Native speakers

Native speakers

German is their mother tongue or they have comparable German language skills.

Highly qualified

Highly qualified

They have a university degree, e.g. in German as a foreign language, German studies, linguistics or a teaching degree.

New learning methods

New learning methods

They are methodically and didactically trained and have at least 300 hours teaching experience in German as a foreign language.

Continual further training

Continual further training

Our permanent teaching staff receive regular further training, so they are always up-to-date with the latest developments in teaching.

Our teachers focus on one thing:

You and your learning success. The focus of their lessons is not frontal teaching but using varied methods and different types of media, ranging from classic textbooks through to interactive whiteboards. They teach course content in a communicative, appealing, interactive and intercultural way. They will discuss your learning goals and progress with you and give you useful tips and advice. All of this is, of course, done in German – correctly, clearly and in line with your knowledge of the language.

Our teachers have prospects:

They are well paid. 70% of our staff have a permanent contract with the Goethe-Institut and all our teachers have attractive working conditions. We place great emphasis on reconciling work and family life. As: motivated teachers also motivate our course participants, making a significant contribution to your learning success. Our teachers are important to us, so you learn German. Guaranteed.

Quality guarantee 3 Learning environment

Learning environment

Good German lessons succeed best in a stimulating learning environment. That’s why courses at the Goethe-Institut are held at attractive locations in spacious and modern classrooms – enhanced with digital media, activating learning materials, inviting media resource centres and free online materials.

Media resource centres

Improve your language skills effectively and converse with other course participants in our media resource centres. Free Wi-Fi, computers and a broad selection of media are available for all language levels – ranging from dictionaries to fiction, films and daily newspapers.
 

Goethe-InstitutCompetitors

 

Library Source: Mindfacts, 2018

Library

Customers of the Goethe-Institut view the library as an added bonus.

Learning Media Source: Mindfacts, 2018

Learning media

Customers of the Goethe-Institut use a larger portfolio of learning media than those of our competitors.

Every media library has four zones:

Learning

Here you can look for information, prepare for a lesson or an exam without being disturbed.

Communicating

This area is designed for you to engage in conversation, discuss and work with your fellow students.

Informing

In this zone, you will find learning materials, information about Germany, books and presentations.

Relaxing

This is where you can relax and drink some coffee or read a newspaper.

500.000 users © “wireless network” icon by Gilbert Bages, from thenounproject.com

Online community “Deutsch für Dich”

At the Goethe-Institut, you can also use the free “Deutsch für Dich” digital service for practising and communicating. The community gives you access to extensive, interactive learning materials, games and exercises. Here you can network online with other people learning German and stay in touch with them after the course ends. That’s how we create a stimulating learning environment for learning German. Guaranteed.

Quality guarantee 4 Course model

Course model © iStock

The Goethe-Instituts in Germany offer the entire range of courses – general language courses, exam preparation and job-related courses – for every language level and to meet every individual requirement. You can choose from intensive and evening courses to suit your needs, possibilities and language skills.

SUB-LEVELS PER COURSE

According to the Common European Framework of Reference for languages

Kursstufenmodell_Intensiv_d_EN 1 Intensive Course German Concise à 50h 1 Intensive German Course à 75h 75h 50h 50h A1 1 Intensive Course 2 Concise Courses or 75h 75h 50h 50h 50h A2 2 Intensive Courses 3 Concise Courses or 75h 75h 50h 50h 50h B1 2 Intensive Courses 3 Concise Courses or 75h 75h 75h 50h 50h 50h 50h B2 3 Intensive Courses 4 Concise Courses or 75h 75h 50h 50h 50h C1 2 Intensive Courses 3 Concise Courses or 75h 75h 50h 50h 50h C2 2 Intensive Courses 3 Concise Courses or One teaching unit (h) = 45 minutes Basic language use Independent language use Proficient language use

The number of lessons that are usually required to reach a certain level and take the corresponding Goethe certificate are based on experience. Individual aspects such as language learning experience and native language also play an important role. We will grade you before the start of the course in order to ensure optimal learning success.

Modular course system

We offer a modular system that allows you to coordinate and combine courses. Together we will find exactly the right level, from A1 to C2, for you to start your course.

Monthly course start

It is possible to start a course approx. every four weeks – the perfect conditions for flexible learning and equally effective and lasting learning success and progress.

Our proven, modular course model will help you in learning German. Guaranteed.

Concepts and Materials Photo: Goethe-Institut/Sonja Tobias

Progress at every level Regardless of the level

The aim of the lessons is that you enjoy them and make rapid and lasting progress while improving your active language skills. You will train all the language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking – in the learning and lesson phases, using up-to-date texts, authentic speaking and writing exercises, role plays related to everyday life, and practical project and research exercises.

Examinations Examinations can be taken on completion of every level

All examinations of the Goethe-Institut are internationally recognised and are valued as proof of qualification by employers and educational institutions. During the course, we will check your progress, give your well-founded feedback and provide you with optimal preparation for your certificate.

The Goethe guarantee

  • Individual grading into the appropriate level (online or at the location)

  • Homogeneous learning groups and intensive support makes learning fun and gives you a sense of achievement

  • Friendly and safe atmosphere due to optimal course sizes with max. 16 participants (18 participants in online courses)

  • Active learning with all the senses: listening, reading, writing and speaking

  • Communicative exercises and projects will enable you to use the language in a wide variety of everyday, work and study situations

  • Syllabus in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference

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