Learn German in Cologne, the lively capital of carnival
Cologne is the oldest of Germany’s big cities and is located in the West. It is not only known for its 2000 old history but also for its cultural and architectural heritage. The famous Cologne Cathedral – a gothic masterpiece – and its international events, like the Cologne Carnival attract millions of visitors every year.
Courses & Fees
Our German language courses in Cologne provide you with the best opportunities to succeed. You will study German in a group course of 20 or 25 lessons per week. There are also various combinations of group and individual lessons available, as well as just private lessons (see below). A lesson has a duration of 45 minutes. Each class has a maximum of 12 students (but on average only 7 students). Please note that there are no classes on official public holidays.
Standard Course
- Info:
- 20 lessons per week, 45 min. each*
- Monday to Friday, 9:30AM – 1:00PM (or 2:30PM – 6:00PM in high season)
- The Standard German Course teaches speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in small groups of maximum 12 participants (average 7 participants)
*supplement for course weeks from 24 Jun – 23 Aug 2024: $55 – per week
Intensive German Course
- Info:
- 25 lessons per week, 45 min. each*
- Monday to Friday, 9:30AM – 2:00PM (or 1:15PM – 6:00PM in high season)
- In the Intensive Course you will also develop the skills taught in our Standard Course with an additional special focus on communication. Maximum 12 participants (average 7 participants)
*supplement for course weeks from 24 Jun – 23 Aug 2024: $55 – per week
Mini Group Course
- Info:
- 20 lessons per week, 45 min. each, max 6 participants
- Monday to Friday, 9:30AM – 1:00PM
- This German course has been especially developed to meet the requirements of those people who prefer to study in a very small group on a very intensive basis. In this course you will have the guarantee that there will be not more than 6 people in your group. Important notice: This mini group course is available only from October until June (not in July, August and September)
- Fees:
- 1 week $616
- 2 weeks $1,056
- 3 weeks $1,496
- extra week $440
Combined German Course
- Info:
- Standard Course + 5 or 10 one-to-one lessons, 45 min. each*
- You will take part in the Standard Course and additionally receive one-to-one private lessons where you will practice your German intensively. In the private lessons you and your teacher can focus on your specific individual requirements.
*supplement for course weeks from 24 Jun – 23 Aug 2024: $55 – per week
- Fees:
- 20 + 5 one-to-one lessons/week
- 1 week $600
- 2 weeks $1,100
- 3 weeks $1,590
- extra weeks $495
- 20 + 10 one-to-one lessons/week
- 1 week $891
- 2 weeks $1,672
- 3 weeks $2,431
- extra weeks $770
Individual Tuition
- Info:
- Lessons of 45 min. each
- Individual lessons are the most intensive form of language learning and ensure the greatest possible success. The lessons are tailored to suit the needs of anyone requiring specialized vocabulary for professional purposes, a particularly high standard of language training or for those wishing to make maximum progress in minimum time.
- Fees:
- 10 lessons per week $638
- 20 lessons per week $1,243
- 25 lessons per week $1,511
- one single lesson $72
Business German
- Info:
- Economy, Hotel and Tourism, Marketing, Banking, Law, Medicine, Engineering etc.
- Business German lessons are perfect for those students who need the German language for their work. During these lessons, we focus on the special needs of the participants’ professions.
- Fees:
- Max. 2 participants
- 3 lessons per week $176 per week
- 6 lessons per week $319 per week
Preparation For Exams
- Info:
- Be prepared for your exam! We help you get ready for the exams of Telc and the Goethe institute and others: the Zertifikat B1 (ZD), the Zertifikat B2, the Zertifikat C1 (ZMP), the Zertifikat C2 (ZOP), Test-DaF and the Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Zugang ausländischer Studienbewerber – DSH (both are entrance examinations for German universities). Students are responsible for registering to the examination. Please beware of the fact that the number of students for each exam is limited and often booked out fast. Therefore, students need to register ahead of time directly for example at Goethe Institut or Telc. We do not guarantee availability for exam dates.
- Fees:
- Max. 2 participants
- 3 lessons per week $187 per week
- 6 lessons per week $330 per week
German Pronounciation
- Info:
- Have a special focus on German pronunciation! This is often important for students in higher levels who still retain their native accent in German or for job purposes, where exact pronunciation is extremely essential.
- Fees:
- Max. 2 participants
- 3 lessons per week $176 per week
- 6 lessons per week $319 per week
Starting Dates & Holidays
You can start your German language course every Monday unless you are an absolute beginner.
The starting dates for absolute beginners 2025:
- 08 January
- 05 Feburary
- 04 March
- 02 April
- 29 April
- 27 May
- 24 June
- 08 July
- 22 July
- 05 August
- 02 September
- 30 September
- 28 October
- 25 November
The starting dates for absolute beginners 2026:
National holidays 2025 in Cologne:
- 29 March
- 01 April
- 01 May
- 09 May
- 20 May
- 30 May
- 03 October
- 01 November
National holidays 2026 in Cologne:
- 18 April
- 21 April
- 01 May
- 29 May
- 09 June
- 19 June
- 03 October
- 01 November
The school is closed on:
- 23 December 2024 to 05 January 2025
- national holidays
Levels
For our accredited German language courses in Munich, Our Partner BWS Germanlingua uses the levels of the Standard European Framework of Reference for Languages. We may assign students to classes based on the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages” (CEFR) levels by administering a written grading test prior to arrival through the internet and a brief oral test on the day of arrival: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2.
The classes are not closed. This means that you can switch classes (and therefore levels) during your visit (if a place is available in the higher or lower class). A change in level may be demanded by either the instructor or the student. In this case, the procedure is to directly contact the Director.
Please keep in mind that if a regular or intensive group course has less than three students, we reserve the right to cut class duration from 20 to 15 lessons per week for the standard course and from 25 to 18 lessons per week for the intensive course.
A1
Beginners
With learning elementary language structures you will be able to cope with simple everyday situations.
A2
Elementary I
An extension of elementary vocabulary and grammar will enable you to understand texts with everyday language and lead simple dialogues.
B1
Elementary II
Through the increase of grammar and vocabulary you will be able to deal with everyday and professional situations and formulate simple texts.
B2
Intermediate I
A deepening of vocabulary and grammatical structures will enable you to understand difficult texts and discuss them.
C2
Intermediate II
You will work on specialized vocabulary and complex grammatical structures, analyze problems in written form, construct letters and discuss business situations.
C2
Advanced
By reading literary and scientific texts you will become acquainted with grammatical structures and idiomatic uses. Your ability to express yourself will increase and you will be able to master all situations adequately in spoken language.
Accommodation & Fees for Cologne
For your stay in Cologne to learn German we provide you different accommodation types. This way, you can enjoy your stay exactly as you would like. Carefully selected host families enable you to experience a stay that allows you to immerse yourself in the German language and culture. Bed and breakfast are provided by the host family. The accommodation may be a twin room shared with another international student or, for an added fee, a single room. If you prefer the half-board alternative, you can also have dinner with the host family for an additional fee.
Our shared student apartments with single and twin spaces, as well as our private studio apartments, are perfect for students who want to be more alone. These properties are self-catering.
On request, we can also arrange hotel and business apartment accommodations. Arrival: Sunday, Departure: Saturday, 6 nights/7 days.
If you want a transfer to or from your hotel, we would gladly arrange one for you.
School-owned Shared Apartment
In our student apartment you will share a flat with other students of our school. You have the option to book a twin room which you will share with another student of a different nationality or to book a single room just for yourself. In both cases, you will be sharing the kitchen and bathroom with the students living in the residence. The apartment is equipped with a washing machine, dishwasher and of course a WiFi/WLAN internet connection. Please note that the minimum age for this type of accommodation is 20
- Price per week (6 nights / 7 days, Arrival: Sunday, Departure: Saturday)
- Double room, self catering $286
- Single room, self catering $385
*supplement for accommodation from 23 Jun – 24 Aug 2024: $66 per week
School-owned Studio Apartment
If you like to be more independent, our self-catering apartments with a small kitchen and own bathroom for one person will be the right accommodation for you. You can bring a second person at extra charge. Please note that the minimum age for this type of accommodation is 18.
- Price per week (6 nights / 7 days, Arrival: Sunday, Departure: Saturday)
- Whole apartment, private bathroom, self catering $495
- Second person in apartment $110
*supplement for accommodation from 23 Jun – 24 Aug 2024: $66 per week
Living in a Host Family
This option offers the possibility to indulge into German daily life, culture and food and the opportunity to speak German also after school hours. There is no such thing as a classical “host family”, so your accommodation could be with a big family of father, mother, two kids and a dog as well as a single mother and her child, a single person or a couple. In any case, we always do our utmost to match your needs, requirements and interests with the host family’s profile.
- Price per week (6 nights / 7 days, Arrival: Sunday, Departure: Saturday)
- Double room, with breakfast $286
- Single room, with breakfast $385
- Double room, with halfboard $396
- Single room, with halfboard $495
*supplement for accommodation from 23 Jun – 24 Aug 2024: $66 per week
Additional services
Visa requirements & invitation letter
We support you in obtaining your visa to enter Germany. You will get an invitation letter which you will need for your visa application. We will send it by express mail to the German embassy in your country. However, we cannot guarantee that every visa process will be successful. This service does not include the visa issue fee which has to be paid directly to the embassy. Please click here if you need information on Visa requirements.
- Invitation letter $100 plus optional DHL fee
University placement program
Education-Abroad will take care of the placement at a German University and provide assistance and counseling in regards to getting your visa and opening the locked bank account. Please refer to our University program page and our Pathway brochure for more information on course prices and dates.
- Booking Fee $900
Vocational training program
Learn German and complete a paid vocational training (Berufausbildung) at a German company. With this program you will start learning German at one of our schools in Berlin, Munich or Cologne and continue your stay in Germany with a vocational training in your selected area at a German company. You can choose from various professions in different areas, such as baker’s craft, horticulture, nursing care and many more. Find further information here
- Booking fee $1,200
Transfer from the Cologne airport
Transfer from the Cologne airport to your accommodation
- Euro 150,00 €
Transfer from the airport to your accommodation and back to the airport
- Euro 270,00 €
Activities in Cologne
Complete your language travel to Germany with our exciting activities
Learning a language is even easier when you explore the country where it is spoken. To have your full German experience we have set up a weekly new program with 3 activities. These can be social gatherings, cultural activities, sporty events or sightseeing trips. Choose your favorites and start your discovery with us.
Our activities are offered on the notice boards every Monday. The guided activities are optional. The office team can be contacted for advice or information. A notice board also provides information on what to do and where to go and of course on upcoming events in Cologne.
Upcoming activities
- Activities are subject to change, please check the notice board at school.
- If less than 3 participants register for an activity, it will be cancelled.
City Info – Cologne
The historic city center is situated on both sides of the Rhine River. Its many Clubs, pubs and restaurants bring a unique vibe to the city. In the evenings the vibrant and trendy nightlife will tempt you with its countless bars, pubs and beer gardens. The perfect surrounding to use and improve your German. Cologne is a modern, lively and cosmopolitan city: hub of its well-known universities, its reputable broadcasting centers and TV production companies as well as trade fairs. The numerous flea markets, the philharmonic orchestra and the various parks, in which you can relax on sunny days is definitely worth a visit. Popular destinations are also the love locks on the bridge “Hohenzollernbrücke” and the 4711 House where the traditional German “Eau de Cologne” is produced.Cologne is a charming and very open-minded city with its own mentality and its liveliness as well as authenticity of everyday life making feel welcome and at home in no time.
Some useful Links
- koeln.de – The official tourist board guide to the city, including a calendar of events
- koelntourismus.de – A site about Cologne and its surroundings
- stadt-koeln.de – Cologne city info
- KVB – Information on the public transportation system of Cologne
