German Courses in Berlin-Mitte
ages 18 and older · A1-C2
Learn German in Berlin and discover a unique city!
Learn German in a city of superlatives: With over 3.5 million residents, Berlin is Germany’s largest city and is the home of numerous prestigious universities, colleges, and research institutes. Berlin is also the country’s most important political, economic and cultural center.
This makes Berlin the perfect location for students from all over the world to study German and learn more about Germany’s history, politics and arts at the Humboldt-Institut’s German language school.
Enroll in one of our German language programs in Berlin and embrace a city with a plethora of activities at any time of the year.
What are you waiting for?
The German language school in Berlin
The Humboldt-Institut welcomes students to its German language school in the heart of Berlin. Located in the central district of Berlin-Mitte, the institute offers everything that international students are looking for:
German courses in modern classrooms, competent and dedicated teachers, a family atmosphere, a varied leisure program and comfortable accommodation with en-suite bathroom. A special highlight is the rooftop terrace with panoramic views of Berlin. The institute’s central location in Berlin-Mitte and excellent transit connections put many sights within easy reach.
Our language school in Berlin offers both short and long-term German immersion programs. The institute is open all year round and intensive German courses are available for all language levels from A1 to C2.
The Humboldt-Institut in Berlin is also a licensed test center for the TestDaF and telc exams.
Age group
18+
Course types
Intensive courses & part-time courses
German levels
Beginners to advanced learners
Class size
Ø10
Accommodation types
Residence & host family
Course dates
Open year-round
Accommodation
For their German course with accommodation in Berlin, our students may choose between two types of accommodation:
Student residence on campus
Students are housed in our residence in single or twin rooms, all with en-suite bathrooms. All rooms feature modern and comfortable furniture, TV and Wi-Fi internet access. Living on-campus offers many advantages: a short walk to class, ideal learning conditions and a family atmosphere.
Our all-inclusive course fees cover three meals a day as well as a selection of fresh fruit. Our kitchen staff offers a varied and healthy diet and cooks all meals fresh every day.
Bed linen and towels will be provided and changed regularly. For your personal laundry there are coin washing machines and dryers available.
Host families
In their host families, students will stay in single or twin rooms. Students will have breakfast with the family and either lunch at the school or dinner with the family. All host families have been carefully selected and are well-known to us. The commute time between host family and school may take up to one hour.
Photos, Videos & 360° Images
German Courses & Prices
Intensive courses
The Humboldt-Institut offers various options to study German in Berlin: intensive German courses with 30 lessons per week, part-time German courses with 5 or 6 lessons per week and one-to-one German courses with 25, 30 or 40 lessons per week. The German classes in Berlin are offered for all language levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2.
Students at the Humboldt-Institut learn in small classes, which consist of an average of 10 students and are taught by experienced teachers. This allows students to quickly improve their German language skills.
All intensive courses are also available as a full-package including accommodation, full board and after-class activities. This immersive concept is what makes the German courses of the Humboldt-Institut so unique and allows students to “dive” into the German language and culture. To improve your German, there’s no better way than a German language immersion program.
The intensive courses are recognized as Bildungsurlaub (educational leave) in Baden-Württemberg, Berlin and Brandenburg. Please contact us if you would like to book a German course as part of your Bildungsurlaub.
Further information on all courses can be found on the overview page German courses for adults.
Intensive course 30
30 lessons/week2+ weeks · incl. residence accommodation and board 1.160 €/week (2+ weeks) and 965 €/week (10+ weeks)
Tuition: Monday – Friday
April 13, April 20, April 27, April 6, August 10, August 17, August 24, August 3, Dezember 7, Februar 16, Februar 9, Januar 12, Januar 26, Januar 5, Juli 13, Juli 20, Juli 27, Juli 6, Juni 1, Juni 15, Juni 22, Juni 29, Juni 8, Mai 11, Mai 25, März 16, März 2, März 23, November 16, November 2, November 23, November 30, Oktober 12, Oktober 19, September 14, September 28, September 7
Starting dates for total beginners 2025:April 20, August 3, Februar 9, Januar 5, Juni 29, Mai 25, März 16, November 16, Oktober 12, September 7
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All prices plus 50 EUR/week seasonal surcharge from June 15 to August 23, 2025 (applies only for courses shorter than 10 weeks)
Intensive course 30
30 lessons/week2+ weeks · incl. host family accommodation and board 855 €/week (10+ weeks) and 920 €/week (2+ weeks)
Tuition: Monday – Friday
April 13, April 20, April 27, April 6, August 10, August 17, August 24, August 3, Dezember 7, Februar 16, Februar 9, Januar 12, Januar 26, Januar 5, Juli 13, Juli 20, Juli 27, Juli 6, Juni 1, Juni 15, Juni 22, Juni 29, Juni 8, Mai 11, Mai 25, März 16, März 2, März 23, November 16, November 2, November 23, November 30, Oktober 12, Oktober 19, September 14, September 28, September 7
Starting dates for total beginners 2025:April 20, August 3, Februar 9, Januar 5, Juni 29, Mai 25, März 16, November 16, Oktober 12, September 7
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All prices plus 50 EUR/week seasonal surcharge from June 15 to August 23, 2025 (applies only for courses shorter than 10 weeks)
Intensive course 30
30 lessons/week2+ weeks 390 €/week (2+ weeks) and 350 €/week (10+ weeks)
Tuition: Monday – Friday
April 14, April 21, April 28, April 7, August 11, August 18, August 25, August 4, Dezember 1, Dezember 8, Februar 10, Februar 17, Januar 13, Januar 27, Januar 6, Juli 14, Juli 21, Juli 28, Juli 7, Juni 16, Juni 2, Juni 23, Juni 30, Juni 9, Mai 12, Mai 26, März 17, März 24, März 3, November 17, November 24, November 3, Oktober 13, Oktober 20, September 15, September 29, September 8
Starting dates for total beginners 2025:April 21, August 4, Februar 10, Januar 6, Juni 30, Mai 26, März 17, November 17, Oktober 13, September 8
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Included services
All courses with accommodation include German lessons, course materials, accommodation, full board (in residence) or half board (host family), daily social program, weekly excursions (excluding entrance fees) and a certificate.
Courses without accommodation include German lessons, course materials and a certificate.
Part-time German courses
In addition to our intensive German courses, we also offer part-time German courses. No matter if you wish to study German in the evening or on Saturdays: we have the right course for you! Part-time courses consist of 2 modules per level (A1, A2, B1) and 4 modules per level (B2, C1, C2). One module equals 12 weeks of course.
Part-time courses are particularly suitable for students who already live in Berlin and want to learn German while working.
For students with previous knowledge of German, a weekly course start is possible depending on the test result and upon agreement.
In part-time courses, no lessons are held:
- on all Berlin bank holidays
- over Easter (April 13 – 19, 2025)
- during summer (July 6 – August 30, 2025)
- over Christmas (December 21, 2025 – January 3, 2026)
Included services
Part-time courses include German lessons, course materials and a certificate.
What is my level of German? You are welcome to have your German language level tested at our institute before your course starts. Please call to make an appointment for the test. Alternatively, you can test your German skills by taking our online placement test. Please note: the online test is only a rough guideline; it does not replace the placement test in the school.
Learners with previous German knowledge may begin a course on a weekly basis upon previous agreement and depending on the placement test results.
German exams in Berlin
In addition to the courses, telc exams from B1 to C1 as well as TestDaF and TestAS are also offered at the Humboldt-Institut in Berlin. This allows students to prove their German language skills with recognized exams.
| German Course | → | Exam |
|---|---|---|
| B1 German course | prepares for | telc Deutsch B1 |
| B2 German course | prepares for | telc Deutsch B2 |
| C1 German course | prepares for | TestDaF or telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule |
More information about the different German exams in Berlin can be found in the exam overview.
Good to know
Arrival and departure
Course participants who have booked a German course with accommodation in Berlin will arrive on Sunday and depart on Saturday after the course ends. Please contact us if you would like to arrive or depart on a different day.
Many (German) cities offer a direct train or bus connection to Berlin. The Berlin airport is served by many different airlines nationally and internationally.
Invalidenstraße 19
10115 Berlin
Tel. +49 30 8145 3761-0
info@humboldt-institut.org
Arriving by your own car?
The Humboldt-Institut Berlin-Mitte is located in the central district and has an underground garage where students may park for a fee. Public street parking is also available nearby.
Railway station
The school is located directly next to the S-Bahn (suburban train) station Nordbahnhof. The next U-Bahn (subway, metro) station Naturkundemuseum (natural history museum) is about 500 meters away. By tram, the Berlin Hauptbahnhof (central train station) can be reached within seven minutes.
Airport transfer
If students wish to be picked up from the airport, we can arrange an airport transfer service for a fee of EUR 90 from or to Berlin Brandenburg airport (BER).
Leisure time
Berlin is such an exciting city with such an amazing range of options that finding things to do during free afternoons and evenings is practically guaranteed for each and every course participant:
Berlin features world-renowned museums, many concerts, theatrical productions, cultural events, movie theaters, bars, beer gardens and discos, as well as shopping opportunities. If you prefer some peace and quiet, you can also enjoy the many oases of tranquility in and around the city.
Our staff organizes and accompanies the daily leisure activities. German is always spoken during activities and excursions. This enables our students to use the language in everyday situations, which makes a decisive contribution to their learning success.
Leisure time activities
We offer our course students an interesting and varied leisure program that is already included in the course fee, except for entrance fees. We are also happy to help them plan and organize their own activities. Our leisure time coordinators are often students at Berlin universities who know the city and German university campus life well and can give many valuable suggestions and recommendations.
With our digital leisure program, students are always informed about current leisure activities.
The following list contains examples of leisure time activities that are possible in Berlin: Cinema/night clubs, barbecue, swimming/tennis/climbing, basketball/football, bowling/billiards, galleries/museums/theatre/concerts/zoo
Excursions
Every Saturday we offer full-day excursions to interesting cities or sights that are included in the course fee, except for entrance fees. Possible destinations are:
One week at the Humboldt-Institut
For more detailed information about the German lessons in the morning and afternoon, the leisure activities and excursions, we have put together an exemplary schedule for a week at the Humboldt-Institut in Berlin.
German courses for companies
Are you looking for German courses for your employees in Berlin? The Humboldt Institute offers tailor-made solutions for different language levels and group sizes.
Our offer ranges from particularly intensive individual courses to group courses and part-time courses, which are particularly suitable for learning in the evening or on weekends. Whether in our centrally located language school in Berlin-Mitte or at your offices, we would be happy to make you an individual offer. Write to us at info@humboldt-institut.org or use our contact form.
Mix of nationalities
Every year we welcome students from many different countries and from all continents. This balanced mix ensures an international atmosphere in our house in Berlin. Last year the distribution was as follows:
19%
9%
6%
4%
4%
4%
3%
51%
Year-round
there were participants from 94 nations in our courses.
Age groups
International students of all ages take part in our German courses in Berlin. They learn together, from one another, and take advantage of the wide range of leisure and cultural activities on offer.
| Ages | Percentage |
|---|---|
| ages 18-24 | 47% |
| ages 25-34 | 26% |
| ages 35-44 | 14% |
| ages 45-60 | 9% |
| ages 61+ | 4% |
Berlin and Constance: two cities – one course
With the combination of courses in Berlin and Constance our learners have the opportunity to experience two uniquely distinct regions of Germany within a short amount of time.
On the one hand Germany’s capital, with more than 3.5 million inhabitants is the largest and most vibrant city in the country with a large variety of sights and cultural offers.
Constance, on the other hand, is an unhurried and laid-back city of 85,000 inhabitants and is rated as having the highest quality of life in Germany due to its gorgeous location on the shores of Lake Constance and its proximity to Switzerland and the Alps.
A bus transfer between the cities (Constance–Berlin or Berlin–Constance) is included in the course fee when booking two consecutive courses of a minimum of five weeks in each of the two cities.
Bildungsurlaub + German courses in Berlin
Bildungsurlaub (educational leave) is a special form of vacation that serves vocational or political education. The German courses of the Humboldt-Institut in Berlin and Constance are recognized as an educational offer in Baden-Württemberg, Berlin and Brandenburg.
Please contact us if you would like to book a German course as part of your Bildungsurlaub. You will receive all necessary documents from us for submission to your employer.
German summer camps for teenagers
In addition to the intensive courses for adults offered throughout the year, the Humboldt-Institut also offers a summer camp for teenagers in Berlin. These summer courses take place every year in July and August in our course location Berlin-Teenager.
Downloads
More PDF documents:
German + University
Our Team in Berlin-Mitte
Christine Lüder-Rothemund
Head of the Institute
Stefan Schenck
Deputy Head of the Institute
David Weckwerth
Assistant to the Head of the Institute
Sandra Brust
Reception
Katrin Weise
Reception
Ida Hammermeister
Pedagogical Assistant to the Head of the Institute
Achim Schiessle
Head Chef
News
Interviews and articles on the blog
In this non-exhaustive list, you find relevant posts from the Humboldt blog about our language school in Berlin and of course our students there. We hope you enjoy reading!
- Teacher Training – How Can AI Help Teachers and Students?
- Discover Berlin and Lindenberg with Two New Videos
- From Cairo to Berlin: Why an Arabic Teacher Learns German
- Building Bridges in Europe – Politics in Residence at the Humboldt-Institut
- Pink Sisters: Two Nuns and Their German Course in Berlin
- My Adventure Learning German in Berlin – Grecia from Mexico
- My University Studies in Germany – Ivan from Ukraine
- Grammatik-Fanatiker – The Humboldt Podcast
- Combination Course Berlin-Constance: Learn German in Two Cities
- My Path to Studying Medicine in Germany
- From Venezuela to Germany – My German Experience in Berlin, Part 1
- Eleonora (B1) from Italy – Winner of the Humboldt-Advent Calendar
- A Semester Abroad at a Language School in Berlin – Part 2
- A Semester Abroad at a Language School in Berlin – Part 1
FAQ for our German courses in Berlin
Is there a placement test?
On the day of arrival or on the first day of class, all students (with the exception of total beginners) take a detailed placement test which provides us with information about their German language skills.
Participants are assigned to a class according to their results. This ensures that the classes are linguistically homogeneous.
Is there an A1/A2/B1/B2/C1 German course in Berlin?
The intensive courses in Berlin are offered at all levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. A new A1 course starts every five weeks, which is also suitable for total beginners. All course participants with previous knowledge take a detailed placement test, which is used for the placement in the respective class, e.g. class, e.g. B1 or B2. In this way we achieve homogeneous classes and thus the best possible learning learning progress.
When do the German lessons in Berlin take place?
The lesson times of the intensive courses in Berlin are as follows:
Monday: 9:00 – 13:30 and 14:30 – 15:15
Tuesday: 9:00 – 13:30 and 14:30 – 16:00
Wednesday: 9:00 – 13:30
Thursday: 9:00 – 13:30 and 14:30 – 16:00
Friday: 9:00 – 13:30
The part-time German courses in Berlin take place at the following times:
German courses in the evening
Tuesday and Thursday from 18:00 – 20:30
German courses on Saturday
Saturday from 9:30 – 14:00
Where do the classes take place?
All classrooms are located in the school building at Invalidenstraße 19 in Mitte. The student rooms for students who book the courses including accommodation are also located there.
Can I study at a university in Berlin?
The Humboldt-Institut advises and supports prospective international students in their search for a university admission in Germany. Based on your school/academic qualifications from your home country, we check whether direct or indirect admission to university in Germany is possible. We also offer an ✉ application service for university admission.
Will I receive a visa for the German course?
After we have received your application, we will send you an invitation to the German course together with the course confirmation. You will then apply for a visa at the relevant German diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate). We will be happy to help you if you encounter unexpected difficulties in obtaining a visa. Please contact us immediately in such cases.
Do I have to register with the local authorities (Anmeldung)?
Do I have to register with the local authorities?
In Germany, you must register with the city authorities within 14 days of moving in (Anmeldung). However, if you move to Germany from abroad for less than three months, you are not required to register. Anyone who officially registers their place of residence with the local authority is also obliged to pay the broadcasting fee (formerly GEZ). The fee is due from the time of registration. Further information on this can be obtained directly from the ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio contribution service.