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German courses
 A1–C2

Learn German with the international market leader for German language tuition. Whether you’re in Germany, in your home country or online – the Goethe-Institut is your qualified partner. We guarantee rapid progress thanks to highly-qualified teachers, state-of-the-art teaching methods, intensive support and mentoring and a course level system that is internationally recognised. 

Three people looking happily into the camera are sitting at a table with books and exercise books. © Goethe-Institut

Learn German

Learn German with success in more than 90 countries on-site at your Goethe-Institut or online.

or

Practise German for free

German exams A1-C2

Would you like to book an exam at one of our exam centres or contact our colleagues on site? You can find our locations worldwide here.

Exam venues worldwide

For further information please contact the nearest Goethe-Institut to find out whether the digital German exams are part of their portfolio.

German courses at the Goethe-Institut

Find out about our courses and what makes learning German at the Goethe-Institut so special. 

  • practice-based and varied
    Immerse yourself in the German language! From day 1, we teach you the skills you need for everyday life and work in Germany, and you can practise what you’ve learned in a range of situations. Our focus is on practical skills rather than theoretical knowledge! 
  • relevant and authentic 
    You practise with everyday materials and gain an insight into the real-life situations of German speakers. Our courses help you settle into life in Germany.  
  • Optimally designed and internationally recognised  
    We ensure you are optimally prepared for the Goethe-Zertifikat. Your learning progress is objectively measurable and internationally comparable. The language level you achieve at the Goethe-Institut is recognised all over the world!  
  • innovative and flexible
    By cooperating with universities, we design German lessons based on the latest research in language learning. Teaching materials, courses and exams are optimally coordinated to improve your progress. Our online platform provides a wide range of innovative learning options that enable you to learn German online at your own pace. 
  • success-oriented and competent
    We train our own language teachers and set the standard for German language tuition worldwide. In every learning setting, you will be professionally supported by our highly qualified teachers, both online and in classroom settings. You make fast, noticeable progress and soon achieve the goals you have set yourself. 
  • Ein Mann schreibt eine Mindmap an die Tafel und diskutiert die Ideen mit seiner Lehrerin. © Goethe-Institut/Sonja Tobias

    In your German course, you can contribute your own ideas and views. This enables you to learn content that is really relevant for your goal.

  • A course participant studies in the library using the online platform on her tablet. © Goethe-Institut

    Varied and stimulating exercises on our online learning platform allow you to effectively practise your skills – anytime and anyplace.

  • A course participant uses an interactive whiteboard to assign different weather phenomena to the seasons. © Goethe-Institut

    Our digitally equipped classrooms offer you a wide range of learning and interaction opportunities.

  • A teacher smiles as he recommends learning materials to a group of learners. © Goethe-Institut

    Your teacher will give you valuable advice on all aspects of language learning. This will help you learn more effectively on your own.

  • Two students concentrate on a task during a language class. © Goethe-Institut

    Your teacher will help you according to your specific needs but also give you time to work independently. This is how you can learn German particularly effectively.

  • Laid out on a table are word cards which learners can use to build sentences. © Goethe-Institut

    Our interactive lessons encourage you to learn German using all your senses thanks to a wide range of activities and exercises.

  • A teacher smiles as he recommends learning materials to a group of learners. © Goethe-Institut

    Your teacher will give you valuable advice on all aspects of language learning. This will help you learn more effectively on your own.

  • A young woman and an older man engage in a discussion. © Goethe-Institut

    Goethe-Institut language courses are places for encounters. Freedom from bias, openness and curiosity are among our most important values.

  • Four participants laugh as they stand in a circle and play an ice-breaker game. © Goethe-Institut

    Lessons are interactive and lively. A varied course plan ensures participants never get bored.

  • A participant sits on her sofa as she participates in a virtual lesson using a video conference tool. © Goethe-Institut

    Enjoy all the benefits of a group course – also possible online and from the comfort of your own home.

German courses A1 to C2:
Something for everyone

The Goethe-Institut offers a wide range of German language courses and German language training programmes – for all language levels and requirements. You can pick the programme that best suits your needs, abilities and language skills.

On-site German Course   

Experience the atmosphere that makes our German courses unique. Enjoy the advantages of a motivating learning community and varied and engaging lessons in our digitally equipped classrooms. Or sign up for one-to-one tuition with our teachers – an especially intensive and effective way to learn German.     

On-site German Training 

Do you want to prepare for a German examination or improve a particular skill? Find out about our special exam preparation, grammar and conversation courses. With the support of a teacher, you improve your skills in a group setting. Many of our locations offer other interesting formats such as courses on special topics or German for specific professional groups. 

Integrative German Course with online features  

Do you like participating in face-to-face lessons in a group, but you also enjoy discovering new things on your own? Our hybrid German courses with an online component offer you the best of both worlds. With the help of our learning platform, you can prepare lessons on your own wherever you are and whatever time it is. This maximises interaction time in the group.         

German Online Course  

Learn German online in customary Goethe-Institut quality. You can join a group course or sign up for individual tutoring. On our online platform, challenging and varied assignments introduce you to lots of topical and interesting subjects.     

German Online Training   

Learn German independently – whenever and wherever you like. Whether you want to brush up on your language skills or take them to the next level, our Online Training guarantees lasting learning results even without a teacher. 

 

Become part of the Goethe learning cosmos!

As a cultural institute, we offer you numerous services in addition to language courses. 
 
Enrolment in a German course at the Goethe-Institut gives you access to our libraries and media centres as well as all kinds of film, art and music events. 
  
You can also use our exercises and communication programmes for free. In our “Deutsch für dich” community, continue learning German with our interactive exercises and converse with other German learners. 

We are committed to promoting the German language as part of a multilingual world and encouraging global knowledge sharing.  
  
Discover the Goethe-Institut – a very special place. 

The successful way to learn German!

 
As a teacher at the Goethe-Institut, I want my lessons to be not just goal-oriented and clearly structured but also varied, so that they engage and connect learners. I want students to enjoy this unique learning experience in every session. They should realise they’re not only attending a first-class language course, but that they are also part of an inspiring and supportive learning community.
Elena Alston, teacher at the Goethe-Institut New York

Elena Alston © Elena Alston

What makes a good lesson? Good teachers! 

  • We rely on qualified, dedicated and motivated teachers who offer you personalised support at all times. 
  • Our teachers have one important focus: you and your progress – whether in person or online. They rely on a variety of methods as well as dialogue and shared encounters. They teach content in a communicative, stimulating and interactive way. They discuss your goals and progress with you and offer you valuable advice and support, enabling you to practise and improve your German skills on your own. 
  • Our teachers are highly qualified both linguistically and in terms of methodology and didactics. German is either their native language or they speak it at native speaker level. They have a university degree in German as a foreign language or a similar qualification. They have extensive experience of teaching German as a foreign language and regularly take part in personal development programmes. 
  • The Goethe-Institut is a fair employer. Motivated teachers motivate students and play a significant role in supporting your progress. 

Learn German

Learn German with success in more than 90 countries on-site at your Goethe-Institut or online.

or

Practise German for free

German exams A1-C2

Would you like to book an exam at one of our exam centres or contact our colleagues on site? You can find our locations worldwide here.

Exam venues worldwide

For further information please contact the nearest Goethe-Institut to find out whether the digital German exams are part of their portfolio.

German courses for business clients

Language courses to meet your company’s requirements

B2B German courses

German exams and certificates

You can complete each level with an exam. A Goethe-Zertifikat opens doors for you all over the world, both professionally and personally. Our certificates are recognised internationally and highly valued as proof of language skills by employers all over the world. 

Five people holding certificates in their hands. © Goethe-Institut

All you need to know about German courses

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