
Intensive German Courses
Here you find details about our German intensive courses for adults, such as starting dates, prices and levels offered from A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 to C2.
The German courses in levels A1, A2 and B1 are each 5 weeks long. The German courses in levels B2, C1 and C2 each comprise 10 weeks. All intensive courses can be booked for a duration of 2 weeks or longer. For long-term courses from 10 weeks, we offer a reduced course fee.
In Berlin and Constance, the German courses for adults are offered as complete packages with accommodation, full board, leisure and cultural programs and weekly excursions. This immersion concept is what makes the Humboldt-Institut’s German courses so unique and allows students to immerse themselves in the German language in a continuous German-speaking learning environment.
Alternatively, the German courses can also be booked without additional services.
Course Content
What do I learn in the intensive German course?
In the intensive courses, all language skills (listening comprehension, reading comprehension, speaking and writing) are systematically trained. In addition, great attention is paid to the active mastery of grammar.
Because the lessons are activity-oriented, the course participants often have the opportunity to apply and practice the course content both orally and in writing. Varied social and learning forms such as partner work, role-playing or presentations help to loosen up the lessons and create a positive learning atmosphere in the classroom.
Through cooperative learning and working methods, the students are activated and have an above-average amount of speaking time in class. Thus, they transfer the lesson content into their own vocabulary through active use in class and improve their active German skills step by step.
Curriculum and books
The Humboldt-Institut’s curriculum is based on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). It is independent of text books and is based on decades of teaching experience.
This means that the teachers – depending on the respective level and topic – work with a combination of different textbooks and materials. The aim is to provide students with the best possible learning material and to close individual knowledge gaps on each level.
The Humboldt Institute provides all course materials and books needed for the lessons to its students free of charge.
Certificates and exams
All course participants receive a Humboldt certificate after successful participation in the course, indicating the number of lessons taught and the level achieved. Grades are given for listening and reading comprehension, oral and written expression as well as for grammar skills.
The Humboldt-Institut’s intensive courses are well suited as preparation for officially recognized examinations such as telc Deutsch and TestDaF:
German course | Exam |
---|---|
B1 intensive course | Preparation for telc Deutsch B1 |
B2 intensive course | Preparation for telc Deutsch B2 |
C1 intensive course | Preparation for TestDaF and telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule |
Course schedule
Lessons timetable
All intensive courses comprise 30 lessons of 45 minutes per week. Five lessons are taught every morning from Monday to Friday, one lesson on Monday afternoon and two lessons each on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon.
The exact lesson times can be found, for example, in the weekly schedule for Constance or in the weekly schedule for Berlin-Mitte .
Course duration
The courses can be booked from a duration of 2 weeks or longer. The total duration depends on the learning objective of the student and is fully flexible.
- The German courses of levels A1, A2 and B1 comprise 5 weeks each.
- The German courses of levels B2, C1 and C2 comprise 10 weeks each.
- For long-term courses of 10 weeks or more, we offer reduced course fees.
Starting dates
Each month there are several starting dates to choose from, suitable for students with previous knowledge.
For total beginners, there are starting dates every five weeks when a new course phase begins with level A1. For more information on the course levels, please visit the course system page.
Classes always start on Mondays. For students who have booked their German course including accommodation, the arrival day is Sunday.
Bank holidays
With a few exceptions, the intensive courses in Berlin and Constance also take place on public holidays. Holidays without classes are:
3. October 2023
1. November 2023 (only in Constance)
25. December 2023
January 1, 2024
March 8, 2024 (only Berlin-Mitte)
March 29, 2024
May 1, 2024
May, 20, 2024
October 3, 2024
November 1, 2024 (only Constance)
December 25, 2024 (only Berlin-Mitte)
January 1, 2025
Locations & services
Course locations
In Berlin and Constance, the Humboldt-Institut offers intensive courses for all levels as complete packages including accommodation, full board as well as leisure and cultural programs at two attractive locations:
On the one hand Germany’s capital Berlin, with more than 3.5 million inhabitants, which 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.
With the combination course, you have the opportunity to experience two uniquely distinct regions of Germany within a short amount of time. 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.
German courses with accommodation – Immerse yourself in German with Humboldt
The intensive courses in Berlin and Constance are offered as a complete package, including accommodation and full board.
Both schools offer comfortable rooms with private bathrooms. The accommodation directly in the institute offers many advantages such as short distances to class, optimal learning conditions and a family atmosphere.
Due to the completely German-speaking environment in the schools, students are immersed in the language not only in class, but also during meals, free time, and excursions. This German immersion program allows for the practical application of what is learned in the classroom in everyday situations and contributes significantly to students’ learning success and motivation.
Three meals and a fruit basket are included in our package deal. Our kitchen team pays attention to a varied, healthy diet and cooks fresh every day.
Included services
All German courses with accommodation include
- Tuition and course material
- Small classes with an average of 10 students
- Accommodation
- Full board (in residence) or half board (host family)
- Daily leisure and cultural program
- Weekly excursions (entrance fees not included)
- Humboldt certificate
German courses without accommodation include tuition, course material and a certificate.
How can I book a course?
You can easily book our German courses online via our booking form or one of the green “Book” buttons. First select the desired course location, course, starting date and course duration.
Additionally, you can book accommodation and optional services such as airport transfers. You will receive a transparent price overview at any time during the booking process. After submitting the booking request, you will receive a confirmation from our booking office within one business day.
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.
Intensive Course 30
Berlin-Mitte ages 18 and older
2023:
1.130 €/week (2+ weeks) and 940 €/week (10+ weeks)
incl. residence accommodation and board
Tuition: Monday – Friday
April 16, April 2, April 23, April 9, August 13, August 20, August 6, Dezember 3, Februar 12, Februar 26, Februar 5, Januar 1, Januar 22, Januar 8, Juli 16, Juli 2, Juli 23, Juli 30, Juli 9, Juni 11, Juni 18, Juni 25, Juni 4, Mai 21, Mai 28, Mai 7, März 12, März 19, November 12, November 19, Oktober 15, Oktober 29, Oktober 8, September 10, September 24, September 3
Starting dates for total beginners:April 16, Februar 5, Januar 1, Juli 30, Juni 25, Mai 21, März 12, November 12, Oktober 8, September 3
plus 50 EUR/week seasonal surcharge from June 11 to August 19, 2023
Berlin-Mitte ages 18 and older
2023:
895 €/week (2+ weeks) and 830 €/week (10+ weeks)
incl. host family accommodation and board
Tuition: Monday – Friday
April 16, April 2, April 23, April 9, August 13, August 20, August 6, Dezember 3, Februar 12, Februar 26, Februar 5, Januar 1, Januar 22, Januar 8, Juli 16, Juli 2, Juli 23, Juli 30, Juli 9, Juni 11, Juni 18, Juni 25, Juni 4, Mai 21, Mai 28, Mai 7, März 12, März 19, November 12, November 19, Oktober 15, Oktober 29, Oktober 8, September 10, September 24, September 3
Starting dates for total beginners:April 16, Februar 5, Januar 1, Juli 30, Juni 25, Mai 21, März 12, November 12, Oktober 8, September 3
plus 50 EUR/week seasonal surcharge from June 11 to August 19, 2023
Berlin-Mitte ages 18 and older
2023:
385 €/week (2+ weeks) and 345 €/week (10+ weeks)
Tuition: Monday – Friday
April 10, April 17, April 24, April 3, August 14, August 21, August 7, Dezember 4, Februar 13, Februar 27, Februar 6, Januar 2, Januar 23, Januar 9, Juli 10, Juli 17, Juli 24, Juli 3, Juli 31, Juni 10, Juni 17, Juni 26, Juni 5, Mai 22, Mai 29, Mai 8, März 13, März 20, November 13, November 20, Oktober 16, Oktober 30, Oktober 9, September 11, September 25, September 4
Starting dates for total beginners:April 17, Februar 6, Januar 2, Juli 31, Juni 26, Mai 22, März 13, November 13, Oktober 9, September 4
Constance ages 18 and older
2023:
1.130 €/week (2+ weeks) and 940 €/week (10+ weeks)
incl. accommodation and full board
Tuition: Monday – Friday
April 16, April 2, April 23, April 9, August 13, August 20, August 6, Dezember 17, Dezember 24, Dezember 3, Dezember 31, Februar 12, Februar 26, Februar 5, Januar 1, Januar 22, Januar 8, Juli 16, Juli 2, Juli 23, Juli 30, Juli 9, Juni 11, Juni 18, Juni 25, Juni 4, Mai 21, Mai 28, Mai 7, März 12, März 19, November 12, November 19, Oktober 15, Oktober 29, Oktober 8, September 10, September 24, September 3
Starting dates for total beginners:April 16, Februar 5, Januar 1, Juli 30, Juni 25, Mai 21, März 12, November 12, Oktober 8, September 3
plus 50 EUR/week seasonal surcharge from June 11 to August 19, 2023
Constance ages 18 and older
2023:
385 €/week (2+ weeks) and 345 €/week (10+ weeks)
Tuition: Monday – Friday
April 10, April 17, April 24, April 3, August 14, August 21, August 7, Dezember 18, Dezember 25, Dezember 4, Februar 13, Februar 27, Februar 6, Januar 2, Januar 23, Januar 9, Juli 10, Juli 17, Juli 24, Juli 3, Juli 31, Juni 10, Juni 17, Juni 26, Juni 5, Mai 22, Mai 29, Mai 8, März 13, März 20, November 13, November 20, Oktober 16, Oktober 30, Oktober 9, September 11, September 25, September 4
Starting dates for total beginners:April 17, Februar 6, Januar 2, Juli 31, Juni 26, Mai 22, März 13, November 13, Oktober 9, September 4