If you’re gearing up to get your genitive on and air out your articles in Germany, you might be looking for a good German language school in Berlin, Frankfurt or Munich. Here are some recommendations based on our clients’ experiences.

I’ve mostly listed the prices for the “intensive” course because this is the one that fulfils the requirements for the language learning permit. Keep in mind when you’re booking at ANY language school that some schools offer so-called “intensive” courses at 15 hours a week and get you to pay extra to upgrade it to reach the 18 hours needed for the residence permit. Tricky.

German Language Schools in Berlin

Speakeasy in Friedrichshain

I have heard nothing but glowing reports about this place in the eastern Berlin suburb of Friedrichshain. Friendly teachers, good sized classes and wonderful service. A great choice if you’re in the East. Oh yeah, and a great website. An intensive course for one month is 245 Euros.

Expath in Neukölln and Mitte

The Expath team is passionate and enthusiastic and the German language classes are top notch. The atmosphere is very chilled out and the class times and options are flexible to fit in with work schedules. A one-month intensive course will set you back 240 Euros. There are two locations: Neukölln near Schlessisches Tor and Mitte near Rosenthaler Platz.

Die Neue Schule in Wilmersdorf

I went to Die Neue Schule for a few months in 2010 and loved it. Great classes, dedicated teachers and a real focus on conversation. Reasonable mid-range prices (380 Euros for a month-long intensive German course).

German Language Schools in Frankfurt

Speakeasy Sprachschule

This school doesn’t have anything to do with the Berlin school by the same name, but its reputation is just as good. Students rave about the small class sizes, the friendly teachers and the quality of the classes. It’s also a very pleasant place to spend your time. An intensive course will set you back around 750-850 Euros per month.

Goethe Institut Frankfurt

Goethe Institut is the master in language courses and has been around for decades. The courses are really thorough, their teaching methods are quality and if you can afford it or get sponsored, you won’t regret it. But it comes with a hefty price tag. An intensive course is around 1,800 Euros per month. I personally studied at the Berlin Goethe Institut for a few months on a scholarship and only have positive things to say about the standards.

Sprachenzentrum an der Zeil

This place is a subsidiary of the ASB Lehrerkooperativ gGmbH. They don’t get points for having clear information available in English on their website, but if you can actually take the leap and get in contact with them, you’ll find they do speak your language and it’s a great place to learn German, especially if you are on a budget. A Basiskurse with 100 teaching units a month goes for 435 Euros per month.

German Language Schools in Munich

TANDEM Language School

Students love TANDEM because it’s reasonably priced with friendly service, good quality courses and small class sizes. They won’t speak English to you here, you’ll get German immersion from day one. A 4-week intensive course will set you back 610 Euros.

Klartext Zentrum

The engagement of the teachers who work at Klartext Zentrum is particularly good – at least, that’s what everyone raves about. It’s a school that takes learning seriously, which means you’ll get plenty to do while you’re there and you can take exams at the end of the course. A 20-hour per week course for one month costs 450 Euros.

Carl Duisburg Centrum München

To the west of the city centre in Maxstadt, Carl Duisburg Centrum Munich gets bonus points for its lively activities programme and great customer service. The language school has been around for more than 50 years and also operates in Berlin, Cologne and Radolfzell. All teachers are native Germans with tertiary degrees and teaching qualifications. The cherry on top is the fabulous rooftop terrace. An intensive course here costs 900 Euros per month – it works out as 30 contact hours a week (24 class hours and 6 self-taught in their learning studio).