Since practically the dawn of time, German has been a language of power, passion, and most importantly: partying. While it’s undoubtedly a difficult language to learn, German speakers have a serious leg up in pretty much any professional setting and social scene. Seriously, have you ever seen a German work a room? Pretty impressive stuff.
Whether you’re looking to boost your career with the language of business, sciences, and arts, or looking to improve your personal life with the true language of love (sorry French, but sit down), studying at the best German language schools abroad are definitely the way to go!
Why learn German? Warum Deutsch lernen?
Who wouldn’t want to be able to order bier after bier on their own? Drinking aside, German is one of the most important languages in the world, with over 200 million speakers. Being able to speak it will give you a real jump start in both your personal and professional lives — and, truth be told, studying at German language schools abroad is really, really fun.
Would you really turn down the opportunity to learn the language of such ballers as Goethe, Luther, Kafka, Einstein, and Schwarzenegger? English speakers, in particular, should spend some time learning German, as English is a Germanic language! You might not believe it, but studying a little Deutsch will definitely make you a better English speaker. It’ll definitely make you hot stuff (heisse scheisse), and it’ll probably make you their next hire. That’s why we just *HAD* to put together this list of amazing German language schools abroad. Let’s do this!
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Top German language schools abroad
1. Collegium Palatinum in Heidelberg
Want to learn the German language in Germany? For almost 60 years, ih Heidelberg - Collegium Palatinum has been a leader in the German language school world—truly one of the best German language schools in Germany. Located in a historic villa near the center of Germany’s OG university town, this school offers beginner through advanced courses year-round and includes many cultural activities and excursions around the region. Your question of where to learn German in Germany has been officially answered (unless you’re more of a city slicker, then check out our second recommended German language school).
- Pros: Ih Heidelberg - Collegium Palatinum is a fantastic selection for anyone seeking German schools. Whether it be the wide variety of class offerings including business, healthcare, or engineering German, or the stunning location in one of Germany’s most important small cities, this town is a great choice for every type of German language course in Germany.
- Cons: Be careful how long you stay here because you will probably end up never wanting to leave! Heidelberg is known for its romantic setting, located right on the Nektar River and covered in charming red-roofed buildings surrounded by lush forests. One of the only cities to escape WWII unscathed, Heidelberg offers a fantastic glimpse into Germany’s Baroque and Renaissance periods, and is now a major tourist attraction. Don’t pick here to study German in Germany if you can’t deal with seeing a selfie stick or two!
- More info: See ALL German Language Schools in Germany
2. Die Neue Schule in Berlin
There are plenty of German language schools in Berlin, but none quite like this one. Founded over 30 years ago and offering both group courses or one-on-one lessons in the center of the German universe, Die Neue Schule in Berlin is perfect for any type of student on the hunt for German schools in Germany. True beginners and experienced speakers alike can all learn something here, and both homestay and apartment living arrangements are available for students. Attending this school comes with some serious perks, including social get-togethers, cultural activities throughout Berlin, excursions to nearby Dresden and Leipzig, and discounts to local theaters and museums.
- Pros: This capital city is the home of more history, conflict, power, and… German schools than potentially any other major city in central Europe. What better way to get an understanding of the German language than in the place where some of the biggest events in recent history have taken place? You cannot really understand German until you experience both the pain that came from the World Wars and the pride that resulted from overcoming such dark times. Berlin is definitely the place to get this exposure.
- Cons: Berlin is a huge international city, meaning true immersion into the German culture can be difficult here. If you pick Berlin, be sure to really put yourself out there and make friends with locals, as it is all too easy to fall into an English trap here! There are plenty of German language schools in Berlin, so be picky as you search for the right one for you.
- Keep reading: In Which City Should You Learn German Abroad?
3. ESL Language Studies Abroad in Austria
Looking for something a little bit more unique in your German learning escapade? Head to Austria! Vienna—and especially Salzburg—are both planted in a stunning region in southern Austria surrounded by the eastern Alps.
ESL offers a sizable language center for students and, as a top notch German language institute, has been offering all types of German courses to all ability levels since 1999. Students will enjoy learning intensive, individual, or semester-long German. Consider taking a course in a teacher's home on top of your language school studies to REALLY see your fluency soar.
- Pros: While Germany is beautiful and offers a ton to language learners, stepping away from the standard route and studying in a place like Austria will give students a broader understanding of the German language and central Europe in general. Despite the stereotype of just yodeling farmers in lederhosen, Austria has become a huge melting pot, and, as the gateway to the Balkans, you’ll have lots of unique opportunities for travel and even more language learning!
- Cons: As you could probably guess, Austrians speak a different dialect of German than the traditional Hochdeutsch, or standard German that you would find in a German language course in Germany. Austrian German usually throws foreigners for a loop at first due to the more sing-songy accent and much different vocabulary, but once you conquer Austrian German all other German dialects will seem very easy!
- More info: See ALL German Language Schools in Austria
4. International Programs Standard German Course in Switzerland
Want to kill four languages with one plane ticket? Switzerland is your answer! Home to four official languages, Switzerland is an awesome option to find German schools. International Programs offers many types of German courses in Zurich, the country’s international metropolis, and beginners through advanced students are welcome here. As one of the best German schools, their institute is located right down the block from both the old town and stunning Lake Zurich — grab some wine and cheese and head outside to study Deutsch!
- Pros: Switzerland in general is famous for being one of the world’s most liveable countries. Its constant neutrality as the rest of the world goes up in flames is a direct reflection of the peaceful, warm, and welcoming attitude of its people and culture. Zurich in particular is a fantastic place for all language learners, as this diplomatic outlook means immersion is easy!
- Cons: Zurich is the definition of a bustling city. Known for being a global financial center, you can find anything and everything in Zurich. Depending on the type of student you are, this could be either a total score or detract from your German immersion. If you choose this region, be sure to focus on integration with locals and learn all the German (and maybe some Italian, French, and Romansch) you can!
- More info: See ALL German language schools in Switzerland
BONUS: Tips for learning German abroad
- Immersion, immersion, immersion! German is not an easy language, and there are so many parts of the language that just don’t translate that your only option for gaining anything close to fluency is immersing yourself with locals. Your teacher will try all day long to explain how and when to use things like doch, simply a word for emphasis, but you will never fully understand it until you hear locals throwing it out it in casual conversation. German is a language full of passion and power, and you just can’t learn things like that from a textbook.
- Use public transport! This is a piece of the immersion puzzle, but just in case it bears repeating: use. Public. Transport. Especially in Germany where it’s so streamlined, punctual, and convenient! Somewhere between navigating trams, buses, the S-bahn, and U-bahn, you’re sure to start picking up more and more German vocabulary and have better reading comprehension.
- Take advantage of language exchanges. You want to practice your German. Germans want to practice their English. It’s a win-win, really! Look for a language exchange partner while you study German language abroad. Not only did you just make a new friend, but you have a great tour guide for your new host city, AND you get to put all those grammar exercises to good use. Seriously, it’s such a simple step to take, and will make a huge difference—not just as you’re taking language classes, but throughout your life.
- Consider studying German outside of Germany! There are other awesome options beyond German language courses in Germany. Don’t forget that Germany is not the only place to learn German! There are actually six countries in Europe where German is an official language, so get creative with your school selection. Think Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Belgium, or Austria, to name just a few.
You're ready to learn German abroad!
Because German is such a difficult language, heads will definitely turn when you say you can speak it. Whether you are looking to pursue a career in business or you want to be an artist (or both!), being able to speak German will absolutely help you out. So, if you want to be as heisse scheisse as Arnold (who doesn’t??), head to one of these best German schools abroad and pick up one of the world's major languages today!