German Courses

In Germany there are many language schools where you can learn German. Some of them, such as the Goethe Institut, specialise in teaching the German language. Adult Education Centres (Volkshochschulen), which are in all major cities, also offer a wide range of German courses.

German courses are offered either for beginners or advanced speakers. Schools will often carry out an assessment test with you to determine which course is right for you. You shall find special classes for parents that only take place in the morning or include childcare.

You will find literacy courses for people who do not master the Roman alphabet yet. In especially small classes you can learn to read and write the Roman letters.

There are also job-related German courses. In these courses, the focus is not only on everyday language but also on specialist content, for example for careers in the social care sector or in sales. The Federal Agency of Migration and Refugees (BAMF) supports vocational language courses as part of the job-related German support programme as per Section 45a of the German Residence Act [AufenthG]. There are also specialist professional courses, offered by the Goethe Institute for example, that you can use to prepare for everyday life at work.

Many language schools also offer preparation courses for language tests. These include, for example, Test DaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache) [German as a foreign language test] and DSH (Deutsche Sprachprüfung) [German language examination for university entrance] tests. These tests are usually used to prove your German language skills before you can start a degree course.

Before you start a German course, check whether it is possible for you to attend free of charge. You can obtain information from your local Migration Advice Service for Adult Immigrants (MBE).

If you are registered as a job-seeker with the Federal Employment Agency or the Job Centre, ask them about learning German free of charge too.

German for Professional Purposes – Courses from the Goethe Institut

The Goethe Institut offers specialised German courses for professionals. On their website, you can find information about what they offer, how to register and what you will pay.

Language Proficiency Tests (Test DaF and DSH)

You will generally need to prove your German language skills to study at a higher education institution in Germany. The Test DaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache) [German as a foreign language test] and DSH (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang) [German language examination for university entrance] language proficiency tests are recognised by higher education institutions in Germany.

Many universities and private language institutes offer courses to prepare for the tests.

On the websites of the Test DaF Institute and the DSH information pages you can find information in various languages about prior knowledge, preparation courses and the testing process.