Nowadays, it’s not mandatory to learn German to live in Germany. However, investing your time to learn the language can make your life in Germany much easier. But, do you really have to join a school to learn German?
As soon as you make your way to start living in Germany, one of the major challenges you may face is the language barrier.
Even though it may not seem so common these days and you find people accept you as an expat and try to help you in English, you may still face challenges at certain scenarios such as socializing or attending your driving license exam or permanent residency interview, etc.
Therefore, it's better to develop your German language skills while you live here.
Where to start with learning German?
Once you made up your mind to move to Germany, you must start learning German as soon as you can.
You can sign up for a course either in your home country or choose the best suits you once you arrive here in Germany.
Nowadays, many apps are offering German language training along with many other languages at different prices ranging from 49€ per course to 5,99€ monthly subscription!
Conventional learning
There are many institutions offering Deutschkurs (German language courses) in Germany as well as internationally. Few internationally recognized German language institutes are :
Goethe-Institut
The Goethe-Institut is a non-profit German cultural association operating worldwide with 159 institutes, promoting the study of the German language abroad and encouraging international cultural exchange and relations.
Goethe-Institut offers both classroom as well as online courses from A1 up to C2.
Courses are concluded with an examination and the certificate you receive on successful completion is valid all over Germany for any type of requirements.
Volkshochschule
Volkshochschule is an institution for adult education that generally does not grant academic degrees, though certain courses are being conducted which are leading to that goal. They are most commonly found in Nordic countries and in Germany, Switzerland and Austria
Along with other professional courses and certifications, Volkshochschule offers high quality paid German classes from A1 to C2. The courses are offered both classroom as well as online and are handled by academic professionals.
Online learning
If you still find it difficult to choose one or you are not in a position to spend such an amount to learn German, you may try the below options for free.
Duolingo
Duolingo is an American language-learning website and mobile app, as well as a digital language proficiency assessment exam. The company uses a freemium model: the app and the website are accessible without charge, although Duolingo also offers a premium service for a fee
Use Duolingo’s free plan to learn German in a fun way. The course starts from the very basics progressing through some real life usages.
Deutsche Welle (DW.de)
Deutsche Welle or DW is a German public state-owned international broadcaster funded by the German federal tax budget.
Along with other publications, DW offers a free German learning program from the basic A1 to advanced B2.
The courses are structured in a way that it helps you in real time scenarios from saying hello to a friend in German through ordering food in a restaurant to picking up basic business conversations with your colleagues in the office.
DW also offers apps for both iOS and Android to help you keep up with your progress.
