Discover the Best German Classes Near Me
German is the most commonly spoken language in the European Union, and the 11th most-spoken language in the world. It is the official language of Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein, and one of the official languages of Luxembourg and Switzerland. It is classified as a West Germanic language and is related to other Germanic languages such as English, Dutch, and Swedish. Within the German language, there are also a number of regional dialects, which differ in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar.
Why You Should Learn German
Many people learn German as a way of better connecting with German culture. It is the language of many famous musicians, writers, filmmakers, and intellectuals, so knowing it can be a good way to engage more deeply with the things that these people have created. If you have German ancestry, learning German can also be a great way to connect with your heritage.
Learning to speak German can also be practical, since it is widely spoken in Europe, and is one of the official languages of the European Union. If you plan to travel to Europe, or if you have business dealings with any European companies, it can be helpful to know German. German is also widely used in academic and research settings, so knowing it can be useful for people working in those fields.
5 Ways to Learn German
There are a number of different ways to learn German.
- Formal language classes are popular because students get structured instruction, under the guidance of a German-language expert. With in-person classes, instruction is in-person, typically in a classroom with other students. This format is often the most interactive and engaging way to learn. Language institutes, community colleges, and colleges typically offer in-person German classes.
- Virtual instruction is another popular way to learn German, and offers more flexibility than in-person learning. A virtual German class takes place online instead of in a classroom, however, instruction is still live. Many schools, such as community colleges, now offer virtual instruction in addition to in-person classes.
- For students who want to take a formal class, another option is an on-demand format. With on-demand classes, students work through the material at their own pace. There are many different on-demand options for learning German, including Duolingo, Babbel, and Rosetta Stone.
- Another way to learn German is to utilize free online resources. YouTube and many other websites have a range of different lessons, language drills, and grammar explanations that are free to use.
- Immersion is also a great way to learn German. Immersion means immersing yourself in the German language as much as possible. Some ways to do this include: talking to a native German speaker, watching a German television show, reading a German news article, or listening to German music.
In-Person German Classes
If you want to learn German, you’re likely to find a number of in-person German classes, especially if you live in a large city like Los Angeles or New York City. In New York, ABC Languages offers a German class for beginners called Intro German Crash Course. It covers basic vocabulary and phrases, greetings, and travel phrases, and can be a good way for students to get a better understanding of whether or not German is something they want to learn. Students also get instruction in pronunciation and key challenge points in the language, and are introduced to cultural topics. The class costs $55 and is an hour long. ABC Languages is a language school that was founded in New York City in 1998. It also has locations in other cities.
The Bronxville Adult School, located about 20 miles north of New York City, also offers German classes, including German Beginner. This class has eight sessions, and is designed for students who have little or no knowledge of German. Students who take this class learn to understand basic spoken and written German, and to converse on everyday topics. They also write short German texts of their own. After completing the beginner course, students who want to progress further will find an intermediate German class. The Bronxville Adult School is a nonprofit organization that has been offering classes since 1942 and is committed to enabling lifelong learning. Tuition for German Beginner is $120.
In Los Angeles, Santa Monica College offers a German course called German for Beginners. The goal of this class is to teach students the fundamentals of the German language, and give them a working vocabulary and an understanding of important grammar rules. After completing this class, students should be able to speak and understand simple sentences. There are six sessions and tuition is $99. Santa Monica College is located about two miles from the coast. It offers a range of different classes, all of which are intended to help people enhance their careers or explore their personal interests. Students who want to sign up for an in-person class at Santa Monica College need to have a valid U.S. phone number and a valid California address.
Students who live in the Los Angeles area can also learn German through Strommen, which is a language tutoring agency that was founded in 2006. German 1 is designed for beginners, and is intended to make it easy for beginners to start learning German. Instructors at Stommen use a number of practical concepts and memo techniques in order to help students progress more quickly, and have more fun while learning.
In Houston, the German Institute for the Southwest offers German classes, including the 10 Week Fall German Course. Instruction is tailored to student proficiency, with an assessment test administered on the first day of class. In this class, instructors use material from the Goethe Institut, and courses are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The class costs $550, and has 20 sessions. The German Institute for the Southwest is less than five miles out of downtown Houston. It works to advance and promote German culture in the Southwest, and offers a variety of different German programs.
For students living in Denver, the Journey Language Center offers a number of German classes including Intro to German. This class is designed for beginners who have little or no knowledge of German. It is based on a conversational teaching approach, which includes learning about German culture. Classes are small, and there are six sessions. Tuition is $235. The Journey Language Center is in Boulder, which is about 30 miles from Denver. Its classes focus on less memorization, and more listening, interacting, and speaking.
In Boston, there is a class called Beginning German at Brookline Adult & Community Education, where students can start to learn to speak German, over the course of nine class sessions. Tuition is $160. Brookline Adult & Community Education is located in Brookline, which is about five miles west of Boston. It has been offering adult education since 1832, making it one of Massachusetts’ oldest non-credit public education programs. It is also one of the largest public programs in Massachusetts.
There are also German classes in Chicago. For instance, German Beginner is a six-session course at the Discovery Center, and costs $135. There is also a $25 materials fee, which is collected during class. The goal of this class is to give students both cultural awareness skills, and basic German language skills. It is designed for students who plan to travel to a country where German is spoken, and is also a good option for those who need foundational German skills. No prior experience with German is needed. The Discovery Center was founded in 1978. It is the longest-running independent adult education program in Chicago, and offers many different types of classes, including in German and other languages. It is located less than ten miles from downtown Chicago.
Virtual German Classes
If you can’t find an in-person German class, or don’t like the idea of commuting to an in-person class, a virtual German class might be a good option. Virtual classes have become increasingly popular in recent years–even among students who have access to in-person classes–because they are so easy to take. When you learn virtually, you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your home; all you need to do is log on to the class via your computer. If you’re not familiar with Zoom or any other online learning platforms, you might have to spend a bit of time figuring out the technology, however, overall, virtual learning can be a great way to learn German.
If you want to take a virtual German class, Fluent City’s German–Level 1 is one option. This class is designed for beginners who are interested in learning German conversational basics. It is also a good class for people who haven’t spoken German in a while, and want a refresher course. There are ten class sessions, and tuition is $399. The class covers the basics of reading and writing in German including verb conjugation in the present tense, number and gender agreement, question form, plurals, and possessive adjectives. Students also learn by practicing their German in conversations with the instructor and other students. At the end of the ten sessions, students should be able to talk about their day, describe their hobbies and profession, and introduce themselves. Each class has a maximum of ten students.
German–Beginner 1 is another German option for beginners. It is offered by ABC Languages, and can be taken by students who don’t know anything about the German language. There are two elements to learning. Students learn through formal learning sessions where the instructor lectures about grammar and the structure of the language. In addition, there are sessions where students converse in German with other students. The course covers basic conversation skills, vocabulary, and grammar. It has a total of six sessions, and costs $250. Students meet via Microsoft Teams.
The International School of Languages–founded in 2006 and based in – also runs virtual German classes. German Beginner 1 is for beginners and covers the basics of communicating in German, such as introducing yourself, providing personal information, counting, talking about your occupation and daily routine, telling time, and understanding a schedule. Students also learn vocabulary. They need to purchase the book, Aussichten A1.1. Tuition for this class is $300, and there are eight sessions.
Private Group German Classes
A group class can be a fun way to entertain a group of people. If you’re in charge of planning a work team-building activity, or providing the entertainment for a birthday party or other special event, consider booking a private group German class, or another type of private group class through CourseHorse. When you book with CourseHorse, you’ll find the process easy, with no registration or booking fees. You’ll get an email confirmation of your booking within 24 hours, and in most cases, you can make changes up to 72 hours before the event, as long as you meet the minimum group size.
CourseHorse’s escape rooms are popular group events. For instance, one option is Virtual Escape Room: Murder Mystery. Groups break up into teams, and the teams solve crimes by completing riddles and puzzles. They will receive evidence in the form of character descriptions, audio clips, maps, and video clips. They also get to play mini-games in order to find additional clues. This event costs $360 for up to 15 people, and $10 per person after that. It can be taken by up to 200 people, and runs for 75 minutes. While participants are broken into teams, there are also opportunities to interact with the entire group.
Trivia events are also fun to do as a group. For example, in Virtual Trivia: True Crime, participants split into teams, and take part in four different trivia rounds, where they answer questions about a variety of different true crime stories. The questions are designed to be challenging, but not impossible. The cost of this class is $360 for up to 15 people, and then $10 for each additional person. Up to 200 people can attend at once. The trivia rounds can be customized for an additional $150. The event runs for an hour.
If you want your group event to take place in person, many CourseHorse providers can come to your office or home, or run the class at an external venue. If the event is virtual, Zoom is generally used, however, Google Meets, Microsoft Teams, or WebEx can also be accommodated. To learn more about private group classes, contact CourseHorse.
What Will I Need to Learn German?
Unlike some other types of skills, learning German doesn’t require you to invest in a lot of materials or equipment. There are a few resources that can make your learning experience easier though. Some type of language guide or dictionary can be helpful, since it allows you to look up words or phrases that you don’t understand. There are a variety of both printed and online language guides. Practice exercises or drills are also helpful, since you’ll need to spend a lot of time practicing the language. Another great way to practice is to find a practice partner who you can speak German with. A variety of online platforms can help connect you with a partner.
Is it Difficult to Learn German?
It can be challenging to learn German. If you’re not a native speaker, it will probably take you some time to learn the language’s unfamiliar pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. German has some unique sounds, which take time to learn to pronounce. It also has complex grammar rules in relation to things like noun genders and verb conjugations. In addition, you need to learn more than just German grammar and vocabulary; you also need to master idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms.
However, with dedication and a lot of patience, anyone can learn to speak German. A crucial part of the learning process is spending a lot of time practicing. A class can be helpful. It can also be helpful to regularly expose yourself to the language by doing things like having conversations with native speakers, watching German television shows and movies, and listening to German music.