Language Courses and Cultural Exchanges Worldwide

Learn German in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg or Frankfurt

Germany is the European Union’s most populous country, the largest exporter of goods in the world and the second largest importer.  Beyond its simple economic dominance, however, Germany attracts foreign interest and is home to a beautiful and fascinating cultural heritage as well as some of the most spectacular landscapes in Europe.  This "Nation of Poets and Thinkers" has produced such musical geniuses as Bach and Beethoven, literary geniuses including Schiller and Goethe, and philosophers such as Immanuel Kant and Georg Hegel.  The landscape offers something for every interest, from the wilderness of the Black Forest, to the spectacular views of the Alps in Southern Bavaria, to the sunny beaches of the island Rügen, just North of Berlin.

Berlin, capital of the reunited Germany since 1991, is one of the great cities of Europe.  Divided between the communist German Democratic Republic and the Democratic Federal Republic of Germany throughout the cold war, Berlin offers a unique opportunity to observe the the history of the second half of the last century.  However, there is much more to see in Berlin than remnants of Communism.  The famed Museum Island is one of the largest museum complexes in the world and draws millions of visitors every year to see classics of German art.  The Pergamon Museum houses various monumental buildings from the antique world.  All these factors combine to make Berlin a wonderful place to spend some time and learn German.

Munich is without any doubt one of the most pleasant cities in Germany.  As the city is situated near the Alps, it attracts many nature and sports lovers, especially hikers and skiers.  The capital of Bavaria has a rich cultural life and is known for its typical Bavarian traditions like the Oktoberfest, biergarten, bretzels and lederhosen.  Besides its many museums, theaters and concerts, it also houses FC Bayern München.  It is a grassy city, boasting parks such as the park of the Nymphenburg castle and the famous Englisher Garten.  The more than 80,000 students living in this city contribute to its liveliness and nightlife and make Bavarian life vibrant and interesting.

Frankfurt, the most important financial city of Germany, is smaller than Berlin or Munich, but more international than any other German city due to its number of foreigners.  Known for its financial institutions, its international fairs and its modern skyscrapers lining the Main river, Frankfurt is sometimes jokingly called "Mainhattan".  Frankfort is a welcoming and captivating city boasting numerous museums, theaters, galleries and clubs.  Located in the middle of the Rhine river valley, this multicultural town has everything you need to enjoy a successful language immersion program.

Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany.  Hamburg has a reputation as being the Venice of the North due to the two large artificial lakes and numerous crossing canals that form the inner city structure.  Beyond all other attractions, the Hamburg Harbor, Europe’s third largest port and the most important trans-shipment center for numerous goods worldwide, is the heartbeat of the city and creates a cosmopolitan atmosphere.  Germany’s gate to the world, as Hamburg Harbor is called, is a fascinating micro-cosmos, a world of its own, which we will explore regularly with our international participants.

The School

Our partner school in Berlin is located in the center of the city, 15 minutes from the Brandenburger Tor and a stone’s throw from Alexanderplatz.  150 to 250 students of all nationalities take various lessons at this school.  The school is equipped with a multimedia room, an internet café, WiFi and a self-study center.  Students can relax in the lounge or on the spacious roof terrace to enjoy a cold or warm drink.

Our partner school in Munich is located in the center of the city, 15 minutes away from Karlsplatz, the busiest part of the city, and near the Central Station.  75 to 175 students coming from all over the world take German lessons at this school.  The school is equipped with a multimedia room, an internet café, WiFi and a self-study center. Students can have a drink in the lounge or on the spacious terrace.  You can even play table tennis on the roof.

Our partner school in Frankfurt is located 15 minutes away from the fine district Sachsenhausen and Hauptwache.  75 to 125 students of different nationalities attend classes at this school.  The school is equipped with a multimedia room, an internet café, WiFi and a self-study center.  Students can relax and have a drink in the friendly lounge.  A free car-park is situated in the front of the school building.

Our partner school in Hamburg is located right in the heart of the city. From the 200 square meter roof terrace, participants can enjoy a view on the Inner Alster - the large artificial city lake - and the Jungfernstieg, with its world famous hotels and department stores.  All classrooms are spacious and equipped with high quality furniture and state-of-the-art facilities such as Internet acess throughout the premises, a computer lab with 60 workstations, a large library, several multimedia rooms and a spacious cafeteria with snack and drink vending machines.

The Classes

All locations offer very high quality courses: the school is accredited by EAQUALS (European Association for Quality Language Services) and locations in Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich are official TestDaf centers .We offer the following courseloads in Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt:

• Standard Courseload
  This program consists of 20 lessons of 45 minutes per week and is available to students of all levels.  Lessons take place in the morning and focus on the practical use of the language.  Classes have a maximum size of 15 students.
  
• Intensive Courseload
  The program consists of 24 lessons of 45 minutes per week and is available to students of all levels.  Lessons take place in the morning and the afternoon. This program is good preparation for language exams like GfdS, ZD, ZMP and ZOP and for those who would like to study at a German university (DSH and TestDaF). Classes have a maximum size of 15 students.
  
• Extra-intensive Courseload
  The program consists of 28 lessons of 45 minutes per week and is available to students of all levels. Classes have a maximum size of 15 students.  This program is ideal for participants who wish to attain an optimal result in a short period of time. Students discuss current event issues and part of the program focuses on individual requests and interests.
  
• Private Courses
  This program offers students the possibility to follow a schedule which suits them personally, reflects their interest and meets their needs.  You can either take these lessons separately or in combination with one of the programs mentioned above.
  
• Exam Preparation (TestDaF and DSH)
  The school is a recognized center for students who wish to take the TestDaF.  It organizes sessions to prepare students for the TestDaF and the DSH (only available in Munich and Frankfurt). The programs are 4 weeks long and consist of 16 lessons per week.  The sessions take place before the exams, you will find the start dates at the bottom of this page.  Participants must have a minimum level of B2 to be able to enroll, but we advice a C1 level.
  

Activities and Excursions

The schools frequently organize social and cultural activities: 2 activities during the week and excursions during the weekend are included.  The excursions are aimed at showing the students the historical monuments most interesting sights of the cities.

Berlin: Unter den Linden, the Humboldt University, the Brandenburger Tor, what remains of the Berlin Wall, the Pergamon Museum as well as Potsdam, the ‘Versailles’ of Germany, etc.

Munich: Karlplatz, Max-Joseph-Platz, the Pinakothek, the Hofbräuhaus, etc.

Frankfurt: Städel Museum, Wiesbaden Casino, Frankfurt Opera, the nearby cities of Würzburg and Heidelberg, etc.

Hamburg: Harbor, SPICY museum, Speicherstadt, Hamburg Dungeon, North sea, etc.

Excursions can be booked directly at school.  Transportation and entrance fees are not included.

Accommodation

Accommodation is in a shared room in host family.  Breakfast is included.  Families are situated a maximum of 45 minutes from the school via public transportation.  It is possible to opt for a private room and/or half-board (2 meals a day).

Participants older than 18 years have the option of staying in a private room in a shared apartment.  The room can either be in student apartment or rented by locals.  The apartments are generally situated 10 to 15 minutes from the school.  Kitchen and bathroom are shared with flatmates/locals. Meals are not included.

Dates 2009-2010

All programs are offered year-round, for a period of minimum one week. Arrivals are possible each Sunday, departures each Saturday. Courses begin each Monday except for complete beginners.

Complete beginners may begin on one of the following dates:

Berlin:  02/11/2009 , 30/11/2009, 04/01, 01/02, 01/03, 06/04, 31/05, 14/06, 05/07, 19/07, 02/08, 06/09, 04/10 and 29/11.

Munich: 19/10/2009, 16/11/2009, 04/01, 01/02, 01/03, 06/04, 31/05, 05/07, 02/08, 30/08, 04/10 and 15/11.

Frankfurt:  05/10/2009 , 02/11/2009, 04/01, 01/02, 01/03, 06/04, 03/05, 07/06, 05/07, 02/08, 04/10 and  01/11.

Hamburg: 05/10/2009,  09/11/2009, 04/01, 01/02, 01/03, 06/04, 07/06, 05/07, 02/08, 06/09, 04/10 and 01/11.

Exam preparation for the TestDaF (4 weeks in Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt) begins: 12/10/2009 , 11/01, 22/03, 10/05, 21/06, 30/08, 11/10.

Exam preparation for the DSH (4 weeks in Berlin and Munich) begins: 11/02 and 19/08.

The school is closed during Christmas vacation, from 19/12 to 03/01.

Prices

The fee structure for this program is detailed in the table to the right. Fees include:

• The chosen program
  
• Accommodation in host family or shared apartment
• Breakfast in the host family

Remarks

• Prices do not include transportation to and from Berlin, Munich or Frankfurt
• Course books must be purchased at the school
• Transfer between airport and accommodation may be arranged at extra cost

 

Enroll for This Program | Questions? | Terms and Conditions

28 Rue de la Loi - 1040 Bruxelles   |   Tel +32 (0) 2 230 01 90   |   Fax +32 (0) 2 280 07 87