French has a rep for being romantic. Spanish fluency is revered for boosting employability. These are great languages to pick up, but don’t overlook the underdog… German! There are some huge perks to learning German and studying in Germany puts you on the path toward accessing all the benefits.
For one, Germany is a European economic giant, an innovation hub, and home to big wig corporations like Volkswagen and Adidas. Studying German in Germany puts you closer to the surplus of lucrative career opportunities in the country. Economists even say German speakers are likely to have higher salaries.
Germany also offers low cost and free quality tuition education options. That’s right, you can basically study German in Germany for free! It’s the perfect location for students with tight budgets for learning languages abroad. Additionally, student accommodations in Berlin are affordable and diverse, while private rentals are more expensive but offer privacy and comfort for international students. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced level German speaker, you’ll have countless intensive courses to choose from at the many German language centers or universities.
Ready to learn Europe’s most popular native language and dive into Germany’s complicated yet historic culture? Study German in Germany—read on to learn why and more about the programs that can get you there.
Why learn German... in Germany
We've got a few more reasons why you should register for German lessons in Germany. Learning any language in a native speaking country guarantees a deeper understanding of the local culture. While newbies to the German language may find the communication barrier challenging, their efforts will be appreciated by locals helping them integrate better into the community. That means more genuine bonds with new friends and host family members. And, being forced to speak German wherever you go will improve your proficiency.
Another benefit of German language courses in Germany? You’ll be positioned to learn all the colloquialisms and slang! Your German teacher back home may not teach you “was geht ab” (what’s up) but your new German pals surely will! After a few rounds of chillen (German slang for relaxing in laid back atmospheres) with your German friends, you’ll pick up the cooler lingo and really speak like the natives.
There’ll be plenty of time to explore between memorizing vocab and mastering new grammar patterns.
Learning a language in a foreign country also teaches empathy. Have you ever gotten frustrated with someone back home who hadn’t mastered English? Test out learning a language abroad yourself and learn German in Germany. You’ll quickly understand that language fluency isn’t easy!
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The best intensive German programs this year
If you’re finally sold on German language schools in Germany, we’ve got a roundup of some great options. So what do the best German language schools in Germany offer? Each of these German language schools include top notch instructors, lots of cultural trips and sightseeing around Germany, and excellent program support for international students. From Berlin to Munich and Frankfurt and beyond, where to learn Germany could be a tough decision—because there’s so many amazing options! Here’s our top picks for where you should study German in Germany.
German language schools in Berlin
If you are looking for German courses in Berlin, you have come to the right place at Sprachenatelier Berlin. Language students from all over the world come because of their superb, very flexible German courses and the exciting cultural program. German courses take place in the morning, afternoon, and evening, and include general German at the levels A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2 as well as exam preparation courses and German courses for work. They offer online and in-person courses.The school is located in a beautiful Art Nouveau building in the centre of East Berlin, helping to create a special learning and working atmosphere.
Sprachenatelier is a language school recognized by the Berlin Senate. All our teachers have specialist university degrees, native language knowledge and are driven by a variety of teaching methods, excellent specialist knowledge and experience.
- Related: Read Sprachenatelier Berlin reviews
2. Institute for International Education of Students Abroad (IES)
Study German in Germany with IES! They promise the best study abroad experience ever, and their alums second their bragging rights. Are you totally new to German? IES offers novice speakers in depth courses in Berlin to teach you how to communicate basic everyday needs. Do you have several years of advanced German language skills? You can enroll in their Emerging Independent Abroad course and debate topics and practice colloquialisms all in German. Course related trips in and out of Berlin are included for a truly immersive Berlin study abroad experience.
- Related: Read IES Abroad reviews
3. Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE)
Explore German culture through one of six academic tracks and combine it with intensive German courses in Germany. CIEE offers beginners survival German classes for basic cultural understanding and language skills. Higher level speakers can sign up for courses that teach them professional presentation and topics like German news and music. If you study German in Germany with CIEE, your studies don’t have to end in Berlin. You can continue on at another CIEE campus in London, Rome, Paris, Madrid, or as far as Cape Town!
- Related: Read CIEE reviews
With over 100 years of intensive German courses in Germany, the Middlebury School has earned a rep for outstanding study abroad experiences around the world. As a student in Berlin, you will learn German with an emphasis on integrating into German society. You’ll have the opportunity to volunteer, intern, or participate in extracurricular activities as you study. And, as a Middlebury student, you’ll sign a pledge to commit yourself to your language studies and cultural immersion. For this program, you’re required to have taken at least six semesters of college level German courses.
- Related: Read The Middlebury School reviews
A beautiful campus in an artsier-than-average corner of eclectic Berlin, GLS Campus Berlin, one of the the best German language schools in Germany, is your one-stop-shop to a productive and exciting experience mastering the German language. With on campus residency options that range from dormitories to private studios—not to mention a smorgasbord of campus eating options—you might find that you never want to leave. Uncover this internationalized and historic capital without losing momentum on your underlying language goals. Ampelmann approved!
- Related: More program info
[Browse ALL German Language Schools in Berlin]
German language schools in Munich
6. Junior Year in Munich (JYM)
What better place to study German in Germany than at the country’s #1 university—LMU Munich! This intensive language program is open to American and Canadian juniors, seniors, and graduate students. To enroll, you will need at least two years of college level German classes. And during orientation your level of German will be tested to determine which level of classes you take. JYM grads have gone on to successful international careers and even returned to Germany for graduate school. All courses are taught in German, ensuring full German immersion. Wondering if your German is sharp enough for admission? Head to JYM’s website which offers plenty of useful (and free!) German grammar and vocab resources.
- Related: Read JYM reviews
Looking for another metropolitan German language institute in Germany? You can also study in the Munich city center with NACEL Education Travel’s German language program. Their curriculum is tailored to native English and Spanish speaking students, with placements at local public high schools. Students live with German host families and can easily get to school with a quick hop onto nearby subways. After classes, students spend free time getting to know the city or visiting historic landmarks such as the Dachau concentration camp.
- Related: Read NACEL Education Travel reviews
[Browse ALL German Language Schools in Munich]
German language schools in Frankfurt
Are you an environmental sciences buff looking to learn a new language during your studies? Then Goethe University’s biodiversity and global change focused program in Frankfurt is an excellent option. Goethe was founded during the intellectual and philosophical European enlightenment era and is one of the leading research institutions in.the.world! While you’re studying topics such as macroecology and evolution, you can learn German at any level. If you’re already a German speaking boss, crank up your skills with their advanced courses which teach written German correspondence like letter writing.
- Related: More program info
Students from the ages of 12 to 21 can join Languages Abroad to study German and delve into the culture through visits to art galleries and cathedrals, shopping, and socializing with locals. This language school is in Sachsenhausen, a charming community that happens to be home to a former Nazi concentration camp. Students taking the program’s standard German course have four group lessons a day four days a week. While teenagers can enroll in the Teenagers Abroad German Camp. Around 10 percent of Language Abroad students come from non-English speaking countries, guaranteeing a truly international experience.
- Related: Read Languages Abroad reviews
10. ASSE International in Germany Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX)
Are you a high school student between the ages of 15 and 18 with an eye for international affairs? ASSE International in Germany offers American students a chance to study German while diving into American-German political relations. This German language program include networking opportunities with high level U.S. State Department program alums. And while learning the language at your proficiency level, you'll get to bond with a German host family. Between studying global current affairs and German culture, your college applications will be shining when you complete this program!
- Related: More program info
[Browse ALL German Language Schools in Frankfurt]
German language courses in Germany universities
11. European Study Center (ESC) in Heidelberg
If a beautiful backdrop is the perfect #studyflow stimulator, consider studying at ESC in Heildelberg—it’s often called one of the most beautiful cities in Germany. Intensive German language courses are taught at all levels for 20 to 25 hours a week. If you enroll in the school’s “Special Topics” course, you’ll get to volunteer with refugee children from the Middle East, Asia, and North Africa. Your time spent teaching them games and basic language and math skills will be a purposeful accent to your language classes.
- Related: Read ESC Heidelberg reviews
12. University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC)
Flexible study abroad options... small classes... and loads of enriching courses to choose from. USAC offers an all-around first-rate opportunity to learn German abroad. You can learn German at any level and at an affordable cost. USAC students live in Lüneburg—it’s a thriving college community with a small town that’s still packed with plenty of metropolitan activities. Optional trips to nearby Hamburg or Berlin are included in curriculum. And even better, with USAC’s intensive language courses, you can learn two years of German in one semester!
- Related: Read USAC reviews
13. Center for International Studies Abroad (CIS Abroad)
How does learning German near the picturesque fabled Black Forest sound for a study abroad experience (Google the place and prepare for enchantment!)? With CIS abroad, you’ll be taking German courses at Valparaiso University on their Reutlingen campus. Your orientation will fill you in on the ins and outs of town, how to get around, and the best spots to hang at! This is another awesome German language program jam packed with exciting trips. The program includes two five day getaways to other german cities like Berlin and Wittenberg. Students will also have easy access to weekend vacays in nearby France and Switzerland.
- Related: Read CIS Abroad reviews
Summer German language programs
14. DAAD University Summer Course Grant
Have you taken two or more years of college level German courses and you’re looking to take your skills to the next level? Head for a summer in Germany with DAAD—a study abroad program with so many options you can practically craft your study abroad experience. You can study in a large university town like Munich, Hamburg, or Cologne. Or, for a more cozy lifestyle, pick a university in a smaller town like Heidelberg or Göttingen. If where to learn German in Germany was stressing you out, relax into any one of these fantastic options.
During your three or four weeks of German language courses, you'll have presentations by industry experts in your field of studies and field trips throughout Germany. You may even be able to study German in Germany for free with DAAD. The organization offers scholarships to both undergraduate and graduate students to cover their time abroad.
- Related: More program info
15. The Summer School at the University of Mannheim
Redefine your idea of “summer school” with the University of Mannheim. To compliment your German classes, you’ll have engaging seminars taught by international experts on German culture. All summer academy students have tutors and student mentors called HuGos who provide support with integrating into Germany. Mannheim has mastered the art of support for German language courses in Germany for international students. A six week summer program is also offered for longer language immersion and cultural exchange.
- Related: Read University of Mannheim reviews
16. The Excellence Center in Palestine
Did you think it would be impossible to squeeze an internship and German lessons in Germany into a summer? Enroll with the Excellence Center in Europe program and you can totally do it! Your first few weeks will be spent in 20 hours of German language study. During the remaining weeks, you’ll get practical experience in your field through a deeper understanding of the challenges foreign refugees in Germany face. After thought-provoking discussions, presentations, and lectures, you’ll get to help the center organize events for locals and refugees (e.g. if you’re a marketing major you’ll help with promotion). Admission to this program is year round.
[View ALL Summer German Language Programs]
Immersion German learning is your calling
It just has to be done! (Becoming fluent in German, that is).
You may have started this article thinking learning German was a total snoozer. However, by now, you’ve probably realized it’s actually a major game changer. There’s the unique career benefits that come from mastering the language. Then there’s all the programs that make it easy to learn German in Germany cheap. German Plus, there’s the amazing friendships you’re bound to make abroad. Studying German in Germany could change the entire trajectory of your life for the better. So sign up for German language schools and give your future self the blessings it deserves!
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