Learn German in Berlin: 5 ways to finally do it and stay motivated.

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3 months have passed. 8 months have passed. Close to a year has passed and you still haven’t got round to it: kicking yourself in the butt and starting to learn German in Berlin.

There is nothing to feel guilty about. It takes time to settle into your new life here: new job, new friends, new routines. It doesn’t feel so urgent: you manage just fine nodding and smiling at the check-out at Lidl. Also; why bother learning German in Berlin when everyone speaks English with you?

This guide is a gentle start into finding the answer to your “why” & finding a method that works for you. In the process you will also where to get lessons for free, and how get paid holidays out of it.

best ways to learn German in Berlin

Is it necessary to learn German in Berlin?

Strictly speaking: it is not necessary to speak German in Berlin. You can live & work without too much trouble in an English-speaking bubble. You will find English-speaking jobs, friends, utility providers, doctors, banks, insurance providers & tax advisors.

However, things are a lot more inconvenient & limited in all aspects of life.

  • Work life: you only get access to a small pool of positions. This study by Indeed estimated that only 15% of positions in Berlin were listed in English. That means worse career prospects and less opportunities. Most decision-makers (read: bosses) are German-speakers too.
  • Immigration & citizenship application: You cannot apply for permanent residency or citizenship without a min. B1 level.
  • Bureaucracy: Even if all Germans struggle with bureaucracy, you won’t be able to handle any letter from the Finanzamt & co at all. You will lose time or potentially make mistakes when translating. When it gets really complicated, you need to use a German-speaking person to write or call for you. Public clerks won’t speak English with you most of the time.
  • Social life & community life: you will get stuck in the expat bubble (which tends to be more unstable as people come and go) and won’t be able to make ties with locals, neighbors or colleagues.
  • Everyday life: from reading menus to understanding signs, even basic German helps with those little things that make life easier. Not everything is shrouded in doubt & mystery.
  • Travel & culture: you won’t get past the “tourist” status much if you are not able to connect a little more deeply with German culture and locales.

It’s not about “needing” German: it’s about how much richer and more engaging your day-to-day can be and how it increases your prospect for long-term success. If you find your “why” in one or more of the reasons listed above, it will be much easier to stay motivated in the long run.

Language schools in Berlin

Sometimes, a good old teacher-pupil situation is best to learn German in Berlin. Fortunately, there is a good range of language schools in Berlin. In almost all of them, you can sign-up for a free trial class to get a sense of your level & see for yourself if the teaching method suits you. Mind also that some schools will require from you to buy some specifics material like books to follow the course.

Volkshochschule

Volkshochschule

Intended as training centers for adults on all sorts of skills and topics ranging from health & culture to IT & politics, Volkshochschule are an offering provided (and subsidized) by the city. It stands for equality and access to quality education for all. It’s a powerful ally in the languages department too.

It offers the flexibility to choose the amount of hours for all languages levels. It is the cheapest option as well starting from 69€ for students. A drawback though: larger, fuller classes that might not cater to individual needs quite as well as private schools. This choice is for the most motivated of profiles.

Browse classes and register for a class near you via this link.

Goethe Institut

The grand institution is in charge of spreading the German culture in the world and offers German courses for all. It is very tailored and professional teaching service that comes at a cost : a little more than 729€ for 4 intensive 25h-weeks. Might be a good idea to kickstart your efforts. They also have cheaper great online courses where you have live sessions with real teacher in between fun-oriented exercises to do on your own. A good solution if you aren’t ready for a classroom. More info about this program here.

  • Google rating: 4.1/5 (226 reviews).
  • Address: Neue Schönhauser Str. 20 · 10178 Berlin (Mitte)
  • What the reviews say: The institute is recognized for its comprehensive courses and professional teachers. However, some online course participants reported issues with course structure and customer service. Overall, the in-person courses receive positive feedback for their organization and effectiveness

Sprachsalon

Sprachsalon is the right place for everybody who wants to learn a language in a friendly and personal atmosphere with interesting people from different background. In keeping class sizes small, with between 5 and 10 students, everybody can be sure to get plenty of valuable attention from their teacher. The teachers are engaged, passionate, and qualified, always aiming to make their students thrive.

  • Google rating: 4.8/5 (59 reviews)
  • Address: Weichselstr. 38 · 12045 Berlin (Kreuzberg/Alt-Treptow)
  • What the reviews say: students commend the school’s friendly staff, small class sizes, and cozy atmosphere. One student mentioned, “Friendly staff, small class sizes and a nice blend between teaching and conversational learning. Plus, tea and dogs add to the lovely cosy atmosphere”. 🙂

Sprachenatelier

Whether you are a beginner or at an advanced level, prefer to learn online (live!) or in person, have time during the day or only at night: the large variety of German courses offered at Sprachenatelier Berlin means we have a fitting course for you. All teachers at are qualified, experienced, and engaging native speakers, who use various methods to make class lively.

  • Google rating: 4,5/5 (232 reviews)
  • Address: Frankfurter Allee 40 · 10247 Berlin (Friedrichshain)
  • What reviews say: The school is appreciated for its supportive environment, well-structured classes, and cultural activities. Students highlight the small class sizes and friendly atmosphere. One student said, “I highly recommend the intensive course. The school ensures that you learn in small groups… The approach of the owners, staff and teachers was very friendly and open”.

Speakeasy Berlin

Speakeasy Berlin is a language school in Berlin, located in the vibrant district of Friedrichshain, offers high-quality German classes, both physically at their school and virtually online, as well as telc language certification exams. The school offers its students much more than just a language class by focusing on the speakeasy community, offering many additional services such as visa and university support, and inviting students to attend free monthly workshops and events. It’s extremely easy to book their courses on their website using their unique course configurator and the variety of class intensities and class-times means you’re sure to find something that suits your schedule.

  • Google rating: 4,8/5 (1044 reviews)
  • Address: Warschauer Str. 36 · 10243 Berlin (Friedrichshain/Kreuzberg) & Uhlandstr. 7-8 · 10623 Berlin (Charlottenburg)
  • What reviews say: Students notice its friendly environment, engaging teaching style, and supportive staff. However, some students have reported inconsistent teaching quality and administrative issues such as delays in receiving exam results. There are also concerns about the authenticity of reviews, with claims that the school encourages positive feedback and suppresses negative ones. Despite these concerns, many learners still recommend the school for its vibrant atmosphere and effective language instruction.

Sprach Institut

Using video conferencing equipment, Sprachinstitut Berlin’s hybrid courses offer students the utmost safety and flexibility. As a student, you have the opportunity to decide whether you would like to come to school or participate online, the best of both worlds! Each classroom is fitted with a state of the art 360 degree camera, which makes you feel as though you are really in the classroom regardless of where in the world you may be! Located in Mitte, Sprachinstitut Berlin pride themselves on their small class sizes (maximum 8 students), experienced native teachers and modern teaching facilities, all at a fair price.

  • Google rating: 4.7/5 (152 reviews)
  • Address: Kommandantenstr. 80 · 10117 Berlin (Mitte)
  • What reviews say: Students frequently mention the school’s small class sizes, typically ranging from 4 to 8 participants, which foster an interactive and personalized learning environment. The instructors are praised for their engaging teaching methods and the use of up-to-date materials. However, some feedback points to areas for improvement, such as the desire for more interactive activities, concerns about class sizes occasionally being too large and admin-related confusion.

Expath – All On Board

Expath is a language school in Berlin founded and run by actual language teachers. The focus is on active, real-life conversations in small online classes as well as in the school at Rosenthaler Platz. They don’t do tests or certificates – and helping students in English when they’re stuck once in a while is not a taboo at Expath.

  • Google rating: 4.8 (98 reviews)
  • Address: Torstr 117 · 10119 Berlin (Prenzlauer Berg)
  • What reviews say: Expath Berlin (now known as All on Board) generally receives positive feedback for its engaging teachers and flexible course options. Some negative reviews have raised concerns about inconsistent course quality, canceled or merged classes, and administrative miscommunication.

DAS

DAS (Deutsche Akademie für Sprachen): Since the beginning, DAS Akademie focuses on making their students speak. They go by a “no desks – no stress” policy in their Mitte location. Teaching intensive courses and evening courses through-out the week, classes are kept small to keep things interactive and personal. Online courses are also an option if you can’t learn German in Berlin right away.

  • Google rating: 4.7/5 (173 reviews)
  • Address: Torstraße 125 · 10119 Berlin (Prenzlauer Berg)
  • What reviews say: DAS Akademie in Berlin is well-regarded for its communicative, speak-from-day-one teaching approach, small class sizes, and friendly instructors. Students praise the interactive atmosphere and central location, though some note that the courses can be more expensive than other schools. Overall, it’s considered a strong choice for immersive German learning.

deutSCHule

Since 2009, the deutSCHule has developed an innovative link between standards of academic learning, social engagement and community awareness in Berlin Neukölln. Your German courses will take place in an inclusive and diverse environment and you get the chance to get to know exciting people from the entire world while enjoying organic coffee and homemade vegan snacks in their in-house deutSCHule-Café.

  • Google rating: 4.9/5 (1,288 reviews)
  • Address: Karl-Marx-Str. 107 · 12043 Berlin
  • What reviews say: You’ll read a lot of positive comments: engaging teaching methods, inclusive community, and affordable pricing. Students commend the school’s dynamic instructors, supportive atmosphere, and effective curriculum, leading to significant language improvement. The institution also offers a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ individuals and provides additional resources like a cozy in-house café. While most feedback is positive, some students have noted occasional administrative challenges.

You can read my own experience studying at deutSCHule in this post.

Online sessions one-to-one or in small groups

Learning German in Berlin in an IRL class is simply not possible for some people. Whether it’s a matter of schedule or learning style, online could be a more comfortable alternative.

The following platform connect students with their teachers depending on levels, skill sets & focus area. Simply enter your preferences for schedules and pay your teacher when you meet them the first time. It’s really a flexible solution to find the right German teacher in Berlin for your needs.

Each of those platforms offer a full curriculum supported by interactive material & an intuitive platform. The learning experience is augmented and tailored to your needs, fitting your schedule.

Learning German with languages tandems in Berlin

I will grant you : learning German in Berlin is not easy. But sometimes, finding the right person to talk with can be a huge motivation. Also if you feel you are ready to practice on your own; this might a good option to meet cool people and auf deutsch bitte ! I find it’s great to gather the self-confidence you need in the early days to dare speaking a language that looks very intimidating at first.

With language tandems, you are both feeling awkwardly uncomfortable. No one is judging. The tricky bit is that it’s like finding a sparring partner at Tennis: it’s only fun if you are both on the same level. Finding a language tandem in Berlin is very efficient for some people who have learned the basics and would like to exercise their skills during a friendly conversation.

There are a few ways to find the right match:

Apps

I like to think of apps as a supplement and not as a replacecement of traditional methods to learn German in Berlin:

  • They provide bite-sized interactions and lessons, actionable in the subway or in the waiting line.
  • You can really start at any level. So if you are a beginner, that might be a way to get ahead of the game before your first German course in Berlin.
  • Most of those apps have gamification aspects to it so you should be fine.
  • Self motivation is however key because there is no one to look over your shoulder.

Find here a selection of the best quality apps to learn German, depending on your level & learning style.

Learning German in Berlin, outside a classroom :

Volunteering

There is nothing better to get going than simply find yourself in a different environment, challenging your comfort zone. Volunteering for local causes is a great way to do good around you and practice your German skills in the real-world, solving real problems. You can find a guide on how to find volunteering opportunities in Berlin here.

Consuming local shows & media

Try to fill your life with as much Deutsch as you can. It helps a lot to watch German TV or listen to German radio.

  • Radioeins in Berlin invites a lot of international artists for interviews for examples. They often interview in English before translating to German for the local audience. It’s great to know what the interviewer will say to practice!
  • TipBerlin contains a lot of news about the local life you can related to. Skim through it when you are enjoying a coffee break at your local café.
  • Listen to the podcast “News in slow German” (or this one by the Deutsche Welle) to immerse yourself in local news at a slow pace too.
  • That one is more advanced but if you like American TV shows like Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, you will love Jan Böhmerman.

How to learn German in Berlin for free

As employee benefits

Larger companies might provide free German classes in the office as part of their training budget. In some cases, those can also be done during regular work ours. This an expense the company can write-off so it might be worth talking to HR.

The Qualifizierungschancengesetz also allows employees in Germany to access subsidized training if their jobs are affected by digitalization or structural changes, especially those in SMEs or without recent qualifications. To benefit, employees should discuss suitable certified courses with their employer, who then applies for funding through the local Arbeitsagentur. If approved, the state can cover up to 100% of course fees and up to 75% of wage costs during training. More info on how to proceed there.

As a DAAD scholarship

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers scholarships for1-4 months programs hosted at FU Berlin, TU Berlin or Humboldt for example.

Check the DAAD database for more information and read here about the requirements to enter.

As unemployment benefits

The Training Voucher (AVGS or Bildungsgutschein) is a government-funded program in Germany that helps unemployed individuals finance vocational training or further education. Here is how you can use it to learn German in Berlin.

  • You must be registered as unemployed with the Arbeitsagentur or JobCenter to be eligible for an Bildungsgutschein. Read here how to apply for unemployment benefits.
  • You can choose from a variety of accredited German language courses offered by language schools and other providers.
  • The AVGS covers the full cost of your German language course, allowing you to improve your language skills without financial burden.

Here is a guide on how to apply for a Bildungsgutschein.

How to get paid holidays to learn German

If you are an employee, you can make use of your educational leave (Bildungsurlaub or Bildungszeit) to learn German in Berlin (5 days per year). This benefit can be used to attend German language courses approved by the Berlin Senate Administration. Informing your employer at least 6 weeks in advance, you can study an intense program, all while receiving your regular salary. Use bildungsurlauber.de to find a certified course in your area.

I hope this overview motivated you to learn German in Berlin. Share your tips and comments below.

Bastien

Sources and references

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