German Language School (GLS Berlin)
THE DESTINATION | THE SCHOOL | MAP | RACHEL’S TAKE | WHY THIS SCHOOL? | FACILITIES | THE COURSES | FROM OUR CLIENTS | HOUSING | SOCIAL LIFE | INSURANCE AND PRICING | REQUEST AN ESTIMATE | OTHER PROGRAMS | SIMILAR PROGRAMS
Five-time winner of the Study Travel Magazine’s Star Award for Best Language School in Germany, GLS Berlin is the only one in the country with huge facilities, allowing its students to live there while learning German. The park-like campus is a green oasis in the very center of Berlin, in the über fashionable Berlin Prenzlauer Berg district of the ex-East. GLS truly offers the entire package of outstanding academic programs, an exciting place to study and to stay, 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 AT A GLANCE
- Year of foundation: 1983
- City: Berlin
- Position in the city: Center
- Minimum age in adult school: 18
- Number of students in school: more than 5.000 every year
- Main type of public transport: metro, trains, trams and buses
- Approximate number of nationalities in school each year: up to 60
German Language School: 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!”
GLS Berlin
Why study German at GLS Berlin?
There are many language schools in Germany, which is the top destination for German language learning. German Language School Berlin distinguishes itself in the following ways:
- As an affiliate of International House World Organization, GLS Berlin provides quality language courses. Teachers participate regularly in training programs and are experienced in teaching multicultural classes.
- GLS Berlin belongs to Eaquals and IALC, two of the most difficult memberships to obtain for language schools.
- GLS Berlin has been honored as the best language school Germany 5 times by Study Travel Magazine’s Star Awards (School Superstar status).
- GLS is the only language school in Germany with a 16000 m² park-like campus and 2 hotels.
- GLS’s prime clients include Rolls Royce, Fendi, Ebay, Lufthansa and the Deutsche Welle TV.
- The German Language School is able to offer top-quality accommodation on its own campus.
- The school has excellent modern facilities and resources to accompany students with everything they need.
- GLS Berlin has a fantastic nationality mix.
- The courses offer an exceptionally good value for money in the German language school market.
- GLS is an official telc German and TestDaf testing center.
The facilities
GLS BERLIN FACILITIES AT A GLANCE
- 66 classrooms, most with smart boards and touch screens
- Free Wi-Fi
- Computer Lab with 15 computers
- Cafeteria
- Restaurant
- Spacious garden
- Indoor swimming pool in the Hotel Oderberger
MORE ABOUT THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES
Afternoon Seminars
GLS’ teachers are also experts in fields like German film, art, history and literature. Every week, GLS teachers offer a free seminar.
Social Evening (Stammtisch)
Every week GLS offers all students a Stammtisch, or a “Social Evening” at the GLS restaurant with one or two teachers. Students can use this opportunity to socialize and to practice German.
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 bookstore 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.
The courses
GENERAL GERMAN AND EXAMINATION COURSES
- Minimum Age: 18
- German levels: All
- Course duration: 1 + weeks
- Length of each lesson: 45 minutes
- Start dates: Every Monday (General German), see dates and fees (Exam Preparation courses and Absolute Beginners)
German Standard Course
The German standard course covers all aspects of successful language learning and develops students speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.
- Number of lessons per week: 20 lessons
- Timetable: 9:00 – 12:30 Monday to Friday
- Number of students in class: 6 – 12
German Standard 30 Plus Course (Summer only)
The Standard 30 Plus course is for adults aged 30 or older who prefer a mature learning environment.
- German levels: A2 – C2
- Number of lessons per week: 20
- Timetable: 9:00 – 12:30 Monday to Friday
- Number of students in class: 6 – 12
- Start dates: see dates and fees
German Semi-Intensive Course
- German levels: A2 – C2
- Number of lessons per week: 25 lessons
- Timetable: 9:00 – 12:30 Monday to Friday and 13:15 – 14:45 afternoon workshop (5 lessons per week) on Tuesday and Thursday
- Number of students in class: 6 – 12
German Intensive Course
- German levels: A2 – C2
- Number of lessons per week: 30 lessons
- Timetable: 9:00 – 14:25 Monday to Friday
- Number of students in class: maximum 8
German Crash (Combined) Course
This intensive combined course includes 20 group lessons per week in the mornings and 10 one-to-one lessons per week in the afternoons.
- Number of lessons per week: 30 lessons
- Timetable: 9:00 – 12:30 Monday to Friday and 10 one-to-one lessons
German One-to-One Course
The German one-to-one course is the most flexible and intensive option for learning German. This individualized course is adapted to the student’s language needs and preferred dates and time.
telc German Exam Preparation Course
GLS offers telc Exam Preparation courses for levels A2, B1, B2 and C1 Hochschule for admission to German universities. The school is an official telc testing center.
- Course Duration: 2 weeks
- Number of lessons per week: 36 lessons
- Timetable: 15:00 – 18:30 Monday to Friday
- Number of students in class: maximum 8
Goethe Preparation Course
GLS offers Goethe Exam Preparation courses for levels B2, C1 and C2. Students take 20 general German lessons in the morning and 10 Goethe preparation lessons in the afternoon.
- Course Duration: 4 weeks
- Number of lessons per week: 30 lessons
- Timetable: 9:00 – 12:30 and 13:15 – 14:45 Monday to Friday
- Number of students in class: 6 – 12 (general German) and maximum 6 (Goethe preparation)
TestDaf Exam Preparation Course
The TestDaF exam is the most important German language test for foreign university applicants, and is recognized by all German universities. This TestDaF preparation course offers 20 general German lessons in the morning and 10 TestDaf preparation lessons in the afternoon. The school is an official TestDaf testing center.
- Minimum German level: B2/C1
- Course Duration: 4 weeks
- Number of lessons per week: 30 lessons
- Timetable: 9:00 – 12:30 and 13:15 – 14:45 Monday to Friday
- Number of students in class: 6 – 12 (general German) and maximum 6 (TestDaf preparation)
University Pathway Program
GLS cooperates with many German universities with its University Pathway Program, offering a conditional acceptance for a BA degree program in Germany (a prerequisite for a student visa) and a Preparatory German course. Applicants can choose a BA Bachelor Program in study fields such as Design, Engineering, IT, Business, Health Care and Social Work.
GLS offers 2 options for its University Pathway Program:
- Option A , suitable for students whose academic background allows direct access to university by passing the exam TestDaF. Option A includes a TestDaf preparation course and also regular and intensive options for students at any level.
- Option B, suitable for students whose academic background does not allow direct access to university and therefore need to attend a pre university Studienkolleg for 1 year. Option B includes a Goethe B2 preparation course and regular and intensive options for students at any level. GLS cooperates with a Studienkolleg in Nordhausen, Germany.
GERMAN FOR PROFESSIONALS
- Minimum Age: 18
- Course duration: flexible
- Length of each lesson: 45 minutes
- Start dates: see dates and fees
German for Success Course (all professions)
This course is designed for students of all professions to communicate professionally in German: on the phone, by mail, in meetings, while presenting, reporting or negotiating. There are 3 course types: One-to-One (20, 30 or 40 lessons per week), Private Mini Group and Combination of group and one-to-one. The group lessons teach general German and the individual lessons Business German for the Combination option.
- Minimum level: B1+
- Course Duration: flexible
- Number of lessons per week: 30 or 40 lessons for combination
- Timetable: 9:00 – 12:30 (Group Lessons) and 10 or 20 one-to-one lessons
- Number of students in group class: maximum 12
Legal German Course
This course is for lawyers, law students and legal professionals, in the context of German and European law. On request, meetings with German lawyers in Berlin can be arranged. There are 3 course types: One-to-One (20, 30 or 40 lessons per week), Private Mini Group and Combination of group and one-to-one. The group lessons teach General German and the individual lessons Legal German for the Combination option.
- Minimum German level: B1+
- Course Duration: flexible
- Number of lessons per week: 30 or 40 lessons for combination
- Timetable: 9:00 – 12:30 (Group Lessons, General German) and 10 or 20 one-to-one lessons (Legal German)
- Number of students in group class: maximum 12
Teacher Training Course (IH Certificate)
GLS is certified by IH International House and prepares for the IH Certificate for Teaching German as a Foreign Language (IHC German). The certificate is equivalent to the CELTA certificate in teaching English and enables those holding it to teach German as a foreign language in the private sector in Germany and abroad. Prep courses last 4 weeks and are for German native speakers. There are 3 course types: One-to-One (20, 30 or 40 lessons per week), Private Mini Group and Combination of group and one-to-one.
- Minimum German level: B2/C1
- Course Duration: 4 weeks
- Number of lessons per week: 30 or 40 lessons for combination
- Timetable: 9:00 – 12:30 (Group Lessons, General German) and 10 or 20 one-to-one lessons (German for teachers)
- Number of students in group class: maximum 12
German for Journalists Course
The course German for journalists focuses on telephoning, information gathering, speed-reading, interviewing, and drafting short exposes and manuscripts. Visits to editorial offices in Berlin can be arranged. There are 3 course types: One-to-One (20, 30 or 40 lessons per week), Private Mini Group and Combination of group and one-to-one.
- Minimum German level: B1+
- Course Duration: flexible
- Number of lessons per week: 30 or 40 lessons for combination
- Timetable: 9:00 – 12:30 (Group Lessons, General German) and 10 or 20 one-to-one lessons (German for Journalism)
- Number of students in group class: maximum 12
Medical German Course
The German course for doctors is aimed at foreign doctors, who already practice or who would like to practice their profession in Germany. The German course for nurses and medical staff enables international healthcare professionals to communicate in German, focusing on the medical German used in hospitals, clinics and nursing homes. There are 3 course types: One-to-One (20, 30 or 40 lessons per week), Private Mini Group and Combination of group and one-to-one.
- Minimum German level: B1+
- Course Duration: flexible
- Number of lessons per week: 30 or 40 lessons for combination
- Timetable: 9:00 – 12:30 (Group Lessons, General German) and 10 or 20 one-to-one lessons (Medical German)
- Number of students in group class: maximum 12
Internship in Berlin
GLS has excellent contacts within Berlin’s business community and has arranged internships in places like the German parliament, the Literaturfestival Berlin, and with Berlin law offices and architects’ studios. Students do a German language course for a minimum of 4 weeks and an internship from 6 to 12 weeks. Students must be over 18 and have a German level of B1 or more.
ONLINE COURSES
Students can book a GLS teacher for individual online lessons. The minimum booking is 10 lessons.
HOST FAMILY
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. Homestays are in fact the accommodation of choice for the majority of students. The school and Marshall Language Services recommend this form of accommodation the most for language learning. 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. By booking homestay accommodation, students will also not have to worry about shopping for food and preparing meals every day. Mealtimes are often the occasions in which families converse most with the students.
Additional homestay provisions and information
- Homestay accommodation includes a single study bedroom with bed linen and towels.
- Meal plan: Half board (breakfast and dinner), breakfast only, or self-catering.
- Many homestays offer Wi-Fi.
- Distance from school by public transport: Self-catering or Breakfast-only homestays 10 – 35 minutes, half board 30 – 55 minutes.
- Accommodation is from Sunday to Saturday. It is possible to book extra nights at an additional cost.
APARTMENTS
GLS Campus Apartments
GLS offers 50 studio apartments (many loft-style) in 2 historic buildings on the GLS Berlin campus. All apartments can be booked single or shared and are between 23 and 38 m².
GLS Campus Apartments also offer:
- Modern bathroom
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Bed linens
- Free Wi-Fi
- TV
- Phone
- Breakfast at the GLS cafeteria
Apartment Share
GLS operates several apartments in Berlin, reserved exclusively for GLS students. There are 1 to 2 bedrooms per apartment and each apartment is bookable single or shared. All are fully furnished and some of them include a living room, phone, washing machine or dishwasher.
Apartment shares also offer:
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Modern bathroom
- TV
- Free Wi-Fi
- Breakfast at the GLS cafeteria
HOTEL
Hotel Oderberger
The boutique Hotel Oderberger is located in the most spectacular building on campus, and is a protected Berlin landmark. It was built in 1902 as a public bath house. There are a total of 72 rooms, all of which are stylish and modern, but with carefully restored design details like lamps, tiles and doors. The tower apartments and the rooftop maisonettes can be single or shared. There is a historic pool available to GLS students at a reduced rate.
Hotel Oderberger also offers:
- 3 types of rooms: classic rooms, tower studios, rooftop maisonettes
- Ensuite bathrooms
- Tower studios have a kitchenette
- TV
- Free Wi-Fi
- Coffee maker
- Refrigerator
- Breakfast
Insurance
Insurance covering medical and travel assistance, personal liability and trip cancellation is not included in the price of the program. Marshall Language Services has a policy available through Guard.Me that covers these elements, as well as an additional policy through CareMed that covers cancellation under a wider range of circumstances, including the need to repeat school exams. A summary of these policies may be downloaded below.
Dates and Fees
Calculate your own approximate quote
The following tool will help you to get a good idea of the cost of a language course and accommodation, if requested, at this school. It may not include all the courses and accommodation options available or take into account promotional offers or costs associated with student visas, insurance, study materials or exam fees. For these reasons, the availability of any course, accommodation option (especially in the high season) and the final price of a package will always have to be verified with Marshall Language Services prior to enrolment.
Contact us for information about dates & prices
Other Programs by this School
GLS Junior Summer Programs
German Language School offers a range of summer school and camps for juniors aged 7 to 18 in the cities of Berlin and Munich. Please contact us for more information.
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