Frequently Asked Questions

Term 1:        13.01.25 - 23.03.25
Term 2:        31.03.25 - 15.06.25
Term 3:        07.07.25 - 14.09.25
Term 4:        29.09.25 - 07.12.25

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Learning is an individual process. How much time you need to attain a certain level depends on various and individual factors: your commitment, your time input, and your taking advantage of additional practice resources.

Should you already have studied one or more languages, you may learn German faster. It makes a big difference if you participate in a language course in your home country or in Germany, where you will be exposed to the German language outside the classroom.

As a rough guideline, we estimate it will take the following amount of instruction to complete each language level:

A1 : approx. 60-150 hours (80-200 TU*)
A2 : approx. 150-260 hours (200-350 TU*)
B1 : approx. 260-490 hours (350-650 TU*)
B2 : approx. 450-600 hours (600-800 TU*)
C1 : approx. 600-750 hours (800-1000 TU*)
C2 : approx. 750+ hours (1000+ TU*)

* TU = Teaching Unit; a teaching unit consists of 45 minutes of instruction.

Learn more about the CEFR Language Levels A1-C2
 

The Goethe-Institut is the official cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany. This means that we focus only on German language and culture. We teach German 100% in German and in doing so offer a completely immersive experience. Our instructors teach with modern and innovative methods that are effective for language learning. These methods create classes that are entertaining, interactive, communicative and fun. Our classrooms are equipped with modern technology - smartboards instead of blackboards. At the Goethe-Institut London, we offer you a flexible learning experience: we offer not only classic face-to-face instruction, but also online learning or a combination of both (Blended Learning). We offer the format that is right for you - no matter how busy your lifestyle is.

If you have never studied German before, start at level A1.1. You can book a class online or get in touch with the language office.

If you have previous knowledge of German but are unsure which level is right for you, we welcome you to take our placement test. Take the written part of the placement test online. For a brief oral assessment, one of our teachers will give you a call.

Our German program is offered on 6 main levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2.

Each level is divided into sub-levels:

• A1.1, A1.2 & A1.3
• A2.1, A2.2 & A2.3
• B1.1, B1.2, B1.3 & B1.4
• B2.1, B2.2, B2.3 & B2.4
• C1.1, C1.2, C1.3 & C1.4
• C2+

You start with sublevel x.1 and progress to the next higher sublevel after completing a course.

If you have no prior knowledge of German, you will start at A1.1.

To ensure quality and consistency, courses may only be attended by students who are officially enrolled in that course. If you are already enrolled in a course, you may switch into a different course being held in the same semester up until the end of the third session of the course (subject to availability and administration fee).

In addition to on-site classes in South Kensington, the Goethe-Institut London now offers all of our course formats online: 
Online Courses and Online Individual Courses.

Please visit the site for the Goethe-Institut Germany for more information.

At the Goethe-Institut London, we offer the following concessions:

• 10% discount if you are a full-time student, retired or registered unemployed on daytime general language courses during the week (proof required);
• 25% discount for teachers 
• Bring a Friend: 20% discount for existing customers and 10% for new customers

Concessions can only be given at the time of booking and cannot be applied in retrospect.
Discounts cannot be combined and only one form of discount will be given at any one time.

Please review our current terms and conditions for more information regarding our cancellation policies.

We accept debit and credit cards (Visa & Mastercard).

You can also book your courses and exams online.

Yes. You can sign up for a course until the end the third session of classes. If the term has already started, please get in touch with the language office so we can advise you on the quickest way to join a class.

There is no minimum attendance required to attend a course, but students who do not attend at least 70% of their classes will not be eligible for a certificate of participation at the end of the semester.

If you miss a session, our online classbook will give you all the information you need: a short summary of last every previous class and your homework for the following week.

Although we do not offer make-up classes, you have many resources at your disposal to help you catch up if you miss a class. Every course is connected to an online classroom, where your teacher will post announcements, homework, and lesson notes.

All students who attend at least 70% of their classes, and (for courses with an online component) complete at least 70% of their assignments will receive a certificate of participation for their course.

Also, we encourage you to sign up for one of our official Goethe-Zertifikat exams, which will provide you with an internationally-recognized certificate to prove your language abilities. Course participants will be able to take an exam for a discounted rate.

More Information on our Exams

If you have never studied German before, start at level A1.1. You can book a class online or get in touch with the language office.

If you have previous knowledge of German but are unsure which level is right for you, we welcome you to take our placement test. Take the written part of the placement test online. For a brief oral assessment, one of our teachers will give you a call.

The Goethe-Institut teaches German according to the immersion method, which means we strive for our courses to be as much in German as possible. Don't panic! We have decades of experience in over 150 locations worldwide with this method - we know you will succeed!

There is no difference with regards to the progress you will make in a face-to-face versus a blended course - both are designed to cover the same essential content. Although you will not have as much face time in a blended course, the format is designed to make use of in-class and out-of-class time differently in such a way that you will still have the same opportunities to develop your language skills.

For example: In a standard blended learning course, you will attend a 90-minute class once a week at the Goethe-Institut. At home, you will complete online activities designed to take approximately 90 minutes. You can complete these activities at whenever is convenient for you. There are no online meetings which would require you to be online at a certain time.

All teachers at the Goethe-Institut London are either native speakers or are required to demonstrate a level of C2 proficiency in the German language. In fact, non-native speakers who mastered the German language are a wonderful source of inspiration for learners and they can give you a first hand insight perfecting your practice.