What is the Humboldt-Institut?

The Humboldt-Institut, a non-profit organization first established in 1977, is one of Germany's finest language institutes. Our work is built on the philosophy that the quickest way to learn a foreign language is to spend time in the country where that language is spoken. Whichever efforts you have made to study in your own country, there is no better way to really master the German language than to be immersed in German culture and to communicate freely in German with Germans. This is the focus at our institute. You can accelerate the learning process tremendously if you attend a school which specializes in teaching German as a foreign language, and whose teachers are specially trained in modern teaching methods.


We at the Humboldt-Institut offer a choice of 19 centers in Germany and different types of courses, varying in duration, intensity, and according to the age group of the students.
  • One-to-one crash courses with 40 lessons per week for adults

  • Crash courses in mini groups (2-4 participants) with 40 lessons per week for adults

  • Intensive courses (in groups of 5-10 students)
    • 30 lessons per week for students aged 18 years and over
    • 30 lessons per week for students aged between 15 and 18 years

  • Summer courses in groups of 5-10 students, with 25 lessons per week, for students from 15 to 18 years of age and for university students aged 18 years and over

  • Junior intensive courses in groups of 5-10 students, with 25 lessons per week, for young pupils between 8 and 12 years and between 10 and 14 years respectively

  • One-to-one crash courses with 25, 30 or 40 lessons per week for students between 15 and 17 years of age and for young pupils between 10 and 14 years of age

  • Preparatory courses TestDaF in groups of 5-10 students, with 30 lessons per week, for students aged 18 years and over


All courses are part of a coherent system which can be followed through according to the individual needs and the language level gained at a certain point in time. The Humboldt-Institut focuses on all aspects of language acquisition: reading, writing, speaking, listening and grammar; thus all students learn to speak, ask questions, and take an active part in discussions. Yes, you may compare us: you can measure progress if you keep in mind that Humboldt-Institut students regularly achieve a defined language level more than 25 % quicker than with similar institutions. In all courses, we distinguish the following levels according to the Common European Framework of Reference (the course durations given below refer to intensive courses of 30 lessons per week):


Level Course duration
A1 Elementary 1
A2 Elementary 2
B1 Intermediate 1
B2 Intermeduate 2
C1 Advanced 1
C2 Advanced 2
Proficiency 		6 weeks (for total beginners)
6 weeks
6 weeks (leads to Zertifikat Deutsch)
6 weeks (leads to TestDaF)
6 weeks
6 weeks
12 weeks (only with the Humboldt-Institut)



Who is studying at the Humboldt-Institut?
Our students are as different as people from all over the world, although the international atmosphere and the common need to get unique and efficient services distinguish them from others. The Humboldt-Institut addresses three kinds of people: adult professional and business people who want to study intensively with fellow students of a similar age, young international students and the group of juniors, all of them from all over the world.


Where can you find us in Germany?
You can find our course centers in a large variety of Germany's most attractive regions and towns. Our centers are located in major German cities as well as in idyllic natural surroundings.

We have year-round centers for adults in Constance, Freudental (district of Allensbach), and for teenagers and juniors in Lindenberg.

Our summer course centers for adults and university students are located in Ratzenried (district of Argenbühl), Cologne and Berlin.

Teenagers can choose among summer courses in Munich, Schmallenberg, Ellwangen, Torgelow, Bad Honnef, Kirchheim unter Teck, Meersburg, and Freiburg.

Summer courses for juniors are available in Affhöllerbach, Bad Dürkheim, Reimlingen, Berlin-Lehnin, and Wittgenstein.

What can you find at our institute? What can we offer you?
Many people who are interested in taking a German course surf the Internet using a search engine to find an adequate school. We would like to give you a brief overview of the search terms for which you would definitely find a corresponding course at our school:

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(We could go on for ages but we better stop here. We don't want to overload your PC's memory, after all.....!)


Now it is your turn!
Please click on one of the categories on the left so that we can present you with the type of course that is just the right one for your needs.
Norbert Güthling Director