GLS Berlin College Summer School (Ages 16 – 18)
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GLS Berlin is the only language school in Germany with a huge park-like campus, located in the very center of Berlin, in the fashionable Prenzlauer Berg district. GLS Berlin College offers the entire package of quality German language courses for mature students aged 16-18, an exciting place to study and to stay on campus, and an activity-filled social program for language practice outside the classroom.
Berlin is not only the capital of Germany, but also in many ways the capital of Europe, sitting at the crossroads of the East and West. Germany serves as the continent’s largest economy and the world’s fourth largest overall. It’s a major player in industry, engineering, science, and renewable energy. As a country known for its rich culture, world-famous festivals, beautiful landscape, and war-torn history, it makes for a compelling study abroad destination. The city attracts young people, freethinkers, entrepreneurs, artists, and scholars, and of the 3.5 million inhabitants, over one-third are from outside Germany. As a study abroad student, students can look forward to world-class experiences on a student budget, government subsidies for some types of programs, fascinating classmates, easy connections for travel across Europe, and a non-stop social life outside of the classroom.
The fashionable Prenzlauer Berg, where the GLS German Language School is located, is in the historic center of Berlin, and known as “Berlin´s coolest area.” More than 40 bars, cafés and fashion stores featuring Berlin designers are only some of the attractions students can find in the near vicinity of GLS.
GLS BERLIN COLLEGE AT A GLANCE
- Location: Berlin, Germany
- Age range: 16 – 18
- Maximum number of students per session: 160
- Maximum number of students in class: 12
- Ratio of staff to students: 1 : 10
- Number of full-day excursions per week: 1
German Language School (GLS): Kastanienallee 82, 10435 Berlin, Germany
“GLS Berlin was originally started many years ago as a language travel agency by Barbara Jaeschke, the current Managing Director of the school, and the agency is still in operation. There is no better professional figure than a language travel agent to appreciate how a language school should be, and with GLS, the result is awe-inspiring. Barbara with GLS was one of the founders of IALC, and I met her at one of the workshops at the beginning of my career. At the time, GLS had just moved from the ex-West Berlin to what was becoming the fashionable ex-East, a part of the city that suffered less war damage and has thus retained much of its traditional character. Every year the largest professional workshop in Europe for study abroad agents is held in Berlin, and by attending this regularly, I have had the opportunity to witness the evolution of this school’s facilities on visits to it afterwards. Students at this school will be able to appreciate the array of facilities on the campus (which takes up a whole city block) from the many classrooms, green areas, the cool and modern studio apartments, café, and restaurant. The school’s crowning glory is now the Hotel Oderberger at the far end, a historic public bath house that it purchased, restored and updated. Very few adult schools I have seen in my career can match this assortment of courses, services and top-notch facilities for its students. Bravo, Barbara!
Several years ago, GLS introduced a wide assortment of German language summer programs for teenagers. I have featured this one here for the fact that it targets a very particular age range, 16 to 18, which is not easy to find in a junior program. Students this age often feel too old for programs that accept children from age 13/14 onwards, but if they enrol in an adult class, can find themselves with students who are in their 20s. In that case, they are often the youngest students in the school. Older teenagers on this program will love the opportunity to see Berlin, the “New York City” of Germany in terms of cool, but with a longer and of course very different history. I was 16 years old when I first visited the city (it was shortly before the Berlin Wall came down, and the stark contrast between East and West was eye-opening. Much of what I saw in person then has now, fortunately, been relegated to history in the fascinating Museum of the Wall at Checkpoint Charlie, which at the time was still a checkpoint). During that trip, I remembered making a mental note to read more about the history of World War II before my next visit, as the traces of the conflict and aftermath were everywhere.
Logistically, for Italians, Berlin is also very accessible to Italy, with several airlines offering both direct low-cost and regular flights. Students can easily arrive on their own or travel as unaccompanied minors. “
GLS Berlin
Why choose the GLS Berlin College program for teenagers?
- GLS Berlin has been honored as the best language school Germany 5 times by Study Travel Magazine’s Star Awards.
- GLS is the only language school in Germany with a 16.000 m² park-like campus and 2 hotels.
- GLS Berlin belongs to Eaquals and IALC, two of the most difficult memberships to obtain for language schools.
- GLS Berlin is located in the epicenter of Berlin’s hippest district, Prenzlauer Berg.
- GLS Berlin College offers quality German courses for independent and mature teenagers who are preparing to enter the next chapters of their lives.
- The GLS Berlin school has excellent modern facilities and resources to accompany students with everything they need.
- The GLS Berlin College program is able to offer top-quality accommodation on its own campus, as well as homestay and hotel options.
- GLS Berlin operates online communities for students, so they can connect even before arriving in Germany.
- The GLS Berlin College program provides students with ample time to explore Berlin with and without GLS guides.
- The GLS Berlin College program includes a fantastic social program with activities and excursions so that students will never be bored.
The facilities
GLS BERLIN CAMPUS FACILITIES AT A GLANCE
- 16,000 m2 green campus with onsite residence
- 66 classrooms, most with smart boards and touch screens
- Free Wi-Fi
- Computer Lab with 15 computers
- Cafeteria
- 2 Restaurants
- Spacious garden
- Indoor swimming pool
- Laundry room
- Basketball and table tennis facilities
MORE ON THE GLS BERLIN COLLEGE PROGRAM SERVICES
Location
The GLS German Language School is located in the historic center of Berlin, in the fashionable “Prenzlauer Berg” that did not suffer much damage during WWII. It is known as “Berlin´s coolest area.” More than 40 bars, cafés and fashion stores featuring Berlin designers are some of the attractions students can find in the near vicinity of GLS.
Restaurant
The GLS school operates its own restaurant, located on the ground floor of the language school. The restaurant serves modern German food and is open daily.
Book store
GLS has its own book store in the lobby of the school.
Help desk
The school has a help desk in the lobby, open daily from 8AM – 8 PM to assist students with any kind of enquiry.
GLS Online Community
GLS operates online communities for students, so they can connect even before arrival in Germany. They can find others doing the same program and check out their photo stories about the GLS programs.
Airport Transfers
Roundtrip transfers to and from Berlin Tegel airport, Berlin Schönefeld airport and Berlin Main Train Station on Sundays are included in the price of the program. Marshall Language Services will need to furnish the participant’s flight information to GLS Berlin College so that the airport transfers can be organized.
When the program is over, GLS Berlin College staff will accompany the participants back to the airport and check them into their flights. If they are traveling as unaccompanied minors, they will hand over the children to airline staff.
Student Welfare
GLS Berlin College staff and campus security will provide 24 hour supervision and will be on hand to care for the welfare of students.
The courses
COURSE CONTENT AND SAMPLE TIMETABLES
German Language and Berlin Urban Arts Course
The GLS Berlin College program is suitable for independent and mature students aged 16 – 18. The courses are held on the GLS Berlin adult school campus. The German course is available on 3 levels: elementary, intermediate and advanced, and offers lessons in the afternoon. Outside of class, every day, Berlin College students will be shown a different part of Berlin. Sightseeing and activities with a focus on urban arts and culture, as well as workshops on topics like Berlin street art or photography, take place before or after the German language lessons.
The program provides:
- Minimum duration of 1 week
- 20 afternoon lessons of 45 minutes per week
- All learning materials
- Maximum 12 students per class
- 1 full-day excursion per week
- 2 activities daily (morning and evening)
- Diploma on completion of course
A sample timetable:
HOMESTAY
One of the best ways to experience the Berlin way of life and culture is to choose homestay accommodation. All homestays are carefully selected and visited regularly to ensure consistently high standards. Family life is informal and the people are welcoming, friendly and talkative, so students will have plenty of opportunities to practice their German with native speakers.
Additional homestay provisions and information
- Homestay accommodation includes a double bedroom with bed linen and towels.
- Meal plan: Half board (breakfast at the host family and dinner on campus)
- Many homestays offer Wi-Fi.
- Distance from school by public transport: up to 30 minutes.
- Accommodation is from Sunday to Sunday. It is possible to book extra nights at an additional cost.
STUDENT RESIDENCE
GLS Berlin College offers residential accommodation in 4 to 5 person bedrooms on the GLS Berlin campus. The campus is located in the trendy neighborhood Prenzlauer Berg with fancy cafes, restaurants, stores and other amenities just down the street.
Facilities
Facilities include fully-fitted kitchen, living areas, Wi-Fi, game areas, sports facilities and a spacious canteen.
Meals
Breakfast and dinner are included in residential accommodation. Lunch will be available at the GLS cafeteria at an additional cost.
Laundry and Cleaning
Bed linens and towels are provided. Bed linen will be changed once a week, towels will be changed twice a week. Rooms will be cleaned at least once a week. There are on-site coin operated self-service laundry facilities.
HOTEL
GLS Berlin offers residential accommodation in 4 person bedrooms at a youth hostel 8 minutes walking distance from the GLS Berlin campus.
Facilities
Facilities include fully-fitted kitchen, living areas, Wi-Fi, game areas, sports facilities and a spacious canteen.
Meals
Breakfast and dinner are included in residential accommodation. Lunch will be available at the GLS cafeteria at an additional cost.
Laundry and Cleaning
Bed linens and towels are provided. Bed linen will be changed once a week, towels will be changed twice a week. Rooms will be cleaned at least once a week. There are on-site coin operated self-service laundry facilities.
Dates and Fees
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