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About 14% of Berlin’s 3.4 million residents are non German and the city has a wide choice of language schools to help newcomers learn German – and many other languages. They can also help non native English speakers improve their Business English.

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There are two ways to learn German as a foreign language according to scientific studies: the unsupervised method – picking it up on the street – or the structured approach in classes. A mixture of both is probably best.

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Berlinish isn´t officially a dialect, but rather more a mix of different dialects. It´s inseperable from the Berlin-Brandenburg region but also shows that the metropolis has been a city of immigrants for centuries.

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With a huge selection of language schools in Berlin it's not always easy to choose the right one. We give you an essential check list of criteria to make that decision easier.

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Alpadia   
This language school in Schöneberg offers high quality German courses for different levels and needs, either in small groups or as individual lessons. There are also learning vacations and summer camps in Switzerland, France and England. The school is accredited through various national and international quality certificates.
›› Schöneberg, Hauptstr. 23/24, Tel. 030 7811076, www.alpadia.com

Anda Sprachschule  
This friendly language school in Friedrichshain mainly focuses on German and Spanish lessons at all levels, but English, French, Portuguese and Italian courses are also offered. Language lessons take place in small groups led by native speakers. This guarantees a lively and creative learning atmosphere.
›› Friedrichshain, Rigaer Str. 104, Tel. 030 60926692, www.anda-sprachschule.de

Berlitz  
Efficient language training which follows the successful Berlitz method® is offered here for adults, companies and children in all living languages. The core elements are active dialog and group or individual lessons taught by qualified teams of teachers made up of native speakers. Also offers language study trips and intercultural training.
›› Charlottenburg, Kurfürs­tendamm 21/Neues Kranzler Eck, Tel. 030 88774320
›› Mitte, Friedrichstr. 95, Tel. 030 2042124 
›› Tegel, Am Borsigturm 13, Tel. 030 4651011
›› www.berlitz.de

BSI Berlin  
This college teaches German to foreigners from many countries in a friendly and communicative atmosphere. Courses for all levels are offered including the Test of German as a Foreign Language, exam preparation, as well as integration courses.
›› Schöneberg, Hauptstr. 159, Tel. 030 6936001, www.bsiberlin.de

BWS Germanlingua  
Centrally located language school that has offered high quality German lessons to Berlin newcomers in a pleasant atmosphere since 1984. Qualified native speakers teach up-to-date German to all levels of learners, as well as German culture and local customs, in small groups or individually. There are courses starting every week and these can also be exam-oriented.
›› Mitte, Friedrichstr. 101-102 (Admirals­palast), Tel. 030 28093933, www.bws-germanlingua.de

DAS Akademie  
In this language school for German, Turkish, English and Spanish located in the pulsating heart of Berlin, students learn languages in small groups of up to a maximum of 12 in a lively atmosphere. The qualified teachers, all with diplomas, offer innovative and creative lessons, which are fun as well as effective. All the language courses and certificates of the Deutsche Akademie für Sprachen follow the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
›› Mitte, Torstr. 125, Tel. 030 25098068, www.das-akademie.com

Die Deutschule  
“It’s fun to learn German at the Deutschule,” say students at the arguably most affordable school for learning German as a foreign language in Berlin. It offers language courses for every level in the middle of Neukölln. After a free trial lesson, you can join any current course at any time. The instruction takes place mornings, afternoons and evenings in friendly classrooms, led by highly motivated native speakers. The Deutschule is also a telc testing center and member of fadaf.
›› Neukölln, Karl-Marx-Str. 107, Tel. 030 68085223, www.die-deutschule.de

Die neue Schule  
One of Berlin’s biggest and best known language schools offers courses in German, English, Italian and Spanish in a friendly and international atmosphere. Native speakers teach small compatible groups or individual learners during intensive, evening or weekend courses. The school also has courses for companies and arranges language holidays.
›› Wilmersdorf, Gieselerstr. 30A, Tel. 030 8730373, www.neueschule.de

Friedländer-Schule  
This language school offers German lessons by highly qualified teachers at reasonable prices through evening, intensive or summer classes. As well as learning German, you can also attend integration courses covering German culture and history. Also organizes days out and excursions.
›› Friedrichshain, Boxhagener Str. 106, Tel. 030 29669413, www.friedlaender.de

Goethe-Institut  
International market leader for German lessons, with the most up-to-date training methods, intensive support and internationally accepted tests, with branches in Berlin for over 50 years. Courses emphasize everyday situations, leisure, career or studying, all of which are accompanied by a diverse cultural and leisure program.
›› Mitte, Neue Schönhauser Str. 20, Tel. 030 259063, www.goethe.de/berlin

Humboldt-Institut  
You can learn German and experience Berlin at the same time at the renowned Humboldt-Institut in the Mitte district. It offers intensive German courses in small groups as well as part-time courses mornings, evenings and on Saturdays. Also on offer are exam preparation, a test center for internationally recognized exams (TestDaF, telc Deutsch A1-C2), support for study applications and lots more. The efficient learning process also continues outside the classroom, including through an extensive leisure-time, cultural and excursions program. There is also a residential accommodation annex for students taking language courses who don’t reside in Berlin.
›› Mitte, Invalidenstr. 19, Tel. 030 814537610, www.humboldt-institut.org

IFS Berlin – Institut f. Sprachvermittlung  
This institute for language tuition and cultural exchanges has a wide choice of German courses in group or individual lessons including standard and conversation lessons, as well as business German. Students benefit from the skills of the professional, degree-holding, native-speaking staff and are taught with the aim of passing the Test of German as a Foreign Language as well as Goethe Institute exams or to gain the skills needed for university admission.
›› Tiergarten, Potsdamer Str. 98a, Tel. 030 23005570, www.ifs-deutsch.de

inlingua  
For more than 50 years, the international inlingua team has been offering effective language courses that are oriented to a student’s individual needs, not just in German and English, but in all spoken languages. Native-language trainers, small homogenous groups and modern teaching methods guarantee success. Also on offer: private training, crash courses, individual group programs and state-funded language courses.
›› Schöneberg, Kleiststr. 23-26, Tel. 030 88471190, www.inlingua-berlin.de

ISL-Seminare  
The Institute for Suggestopedic Learning offers French courses as well as German as a foreign language in mini-groups or individual instruction. Suggestopedia is a holistic teaching and learning method focusing on a relaxed learning atmosphere, among other aspects.
›› Steglitz, Brandenburgische Str. 12, Tel. 030 79410216, www.isl-seminare.de

lernKulturen  
German is taught here on intensive courses (12 hours a week) or on evening courses (3 hours a week). Special features of the school are its small learning groups of up to a maximum of 12 students, qualified teaching staff and lively lessons with role play and conversation practice. All courses are geared toward passing the Goethe Institute’s central language qualifications (DeutschZertifikat, Test­Daf).
›› Wedding, Badstr. 44, Tel. 030 46607552, www.lernkulturen.de

LOGO Sprachenschule  
Language lessons in small groups and groups of two or in individual instruction with flexible times. German as a foreign language in evening courses or intensive courses at all levels. The LOGO language school is a recognized test center for the TELC language certificate.
›› Prenzlauer Berg, Wichertstr. 67, Tel. 030 40045236, www.logosprachenschule.de

sprachConcept Berlin Brandenburg  
This well-established language school in southwest Berlin is an accredited educational institution and its quality management guarantees consistent performance for its clients. Instruction is based on tried-and-tested learning methods. The school offers courses in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian and other languages. After taking a free placement test, you can directly enter the appropriate language course.
›› Lichterfelde, Hortensienstr. 28, Tel. 030 80498252, www.sprachconcept.de

Tandem Berlin e.V.   
This language school in Prenzlauer Berg offers value for money language courses in small groups in German, English, French and Spanish. Intensive German courses are bookable starting from two weeks. The school can help find affordable private lodging for foreign students on request. Tandem Berlin also arranges partners for exchanges of conversation and practice.
›› Prenzlauer Berg, Bötzowstr. 26, Tel. 030 4413003, www.tandem-berlin.de