German courses in Cologne, the oldest of Germany’s big cities
Learn German in Cologne, the lively capital of carnival
Our German language courses in Germany offer you the best options to study successfully. You can choose to learn German in a group course with 20 or 25 lessons per week. There are also different kinds of combinations of group with individual lessons or just private lessons available (see below). One lesson lasts 45 minutes. In one class there is a maximum of 12 students (but on average only 7 students). 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 23 Jun – 22 Aug 2025: € 50,- per week
Fees
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 23 Jun – 22 Aug 2025: € 50,- per week
Fees
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 no 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 650,00 €
- 2 weeks 1.110,00 €
- 3 weeks 1.580,00 €
- extra week 460,00 €
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 23 Jun – 22 Aug 2025: € 50,- per week
Fees
- 1 week 630,00 €
- 2 weeks 1.160,00 €
- 3 weeks 1.670,00 €
- extra weeks 530,00 €
20 + 10 one-to-one lessons/week
- 1 week 950,00 €
- 2 weeks 1.760,00 €
- 3 weeks 2.560,00 €
- extra weeks 810,00 €
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 the minimum amount of time.
Fees
- 10 lessons per week 610,00 €
- 20 lessons per week 1.190,00 €
- 25 lessons per week 1.450,00 €
- one single lesson 70,00 €
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
- 3 lessons per week 170,00 € per week
- 6 lessons per week 300,00 € 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 A1, the Zertifikat A2, 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 Institute or Telc. We do not guarantee availability for exam dates.
Fees
- 3 lessons per week 180,00 € per week
- 6 lessons per week 320,00 € per week
German Pronunciation
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
- 3 lessons per week 170,00 € per week
- 6 lessons per week 300,00 € per week
The starting dates for absolute beginners 2024:
- 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 2025:
- 06 January
- 03 February
- 03 March
- 31 March
- 28 April
- 26 May
- 23 June
- 07 July
- 21 July
- 04 August
- 01 September
- 29 September
- 27 October
- 24 November
National holidays 2024 in Cologne:
- 29 March
- 01 April
- 01 May
- 09 May
- 20 May
- 30 May
- 03 October
- 01 November
National holidays 2025 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
BWS Germanlingua works with the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for languages for our certified German language courses in Germany. A written grading test taken before arrival via internet as well as a short oral test on the day of arrival allows us to assign the students into classes according to the “Common European Framework of Reference for languages” (CEFR) levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2.
The groups are not closed. This means it is possible to change classes (and therefore levels) during the stay (if a place is available in the higher or lower class). The teacher or the student may request a change of level. In either case, the procedure to follow is to speak to the Director.
Please note: In case a standard or intensive group course has less than 3 participants, we reserve the right to reduce the class length for the standard course from 20 to 15 lessons per week and the intensive course from 25 to 18 lessons per week.
A1
Beginners
By 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 in everyday language and lead simple dialogues.
B1
Elementary II
Through an increase in 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.
C1
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.
For your stay in Germany to study German, we provide you different accommodation types. So, you can enjoy your stay exactly like you imagine. Carefully selected host families offer you a stay embedded in the German language and culture. The host family provides bed and breakfast. The room can be a twin room, shared with another student of a different nationality, or a single room at an extra cost. In the half board option, you get to eat your dinner with the host family as well, this is available at an extra cost.
For students who would like to be more independent, our shared student apartment with single and twin rooms and our private studio apartments are the ideal choice. Both are self-catering.
We also organize hotel and business apartment accommodations upon request. 6 nights/7days, Arrival: Sunday, Departure: Saturday.
If you wish to have a transfer to or from your accommodation, we are happy to arrange it for you.
School-owned shared Apartment *
Info
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, a dishwasher, and of course, a WiFi/WLAN internet connection. Please note that the minimum age for this type of accommodation is 18.
Fees
Price per week (6 nights / 7 days, Arrival: Sunday, Departure: Saturday)
- Double room, self-catering 270,00 €
- Single room, self-catering 360,00 €
*supplement for accommodation from 22 Jun – 23 Aug 2025: 60,00 € per week
School-owned Studio Apartment *
Info
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.
Fees
Price per week (6 nights / 7 days, Arrival: Sunday, Departure: Saturday)
- Whole apartment, private bathroom, self-catering 470,00 €
- Second person in apartment 100,00 €
*supplement for accommodation from 22 Jun – 23 Aug 2025: 60,00 € per week
Living in a Host Family *
Info
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.
Fees
Price per week (6 nights / 7 days, Arrival: Sunday, Departure: Saturday)
- Double room, with breakfast 270,00 €
- Single room, with breakfast 360,00 €
- Double room, with half board 370,00 €
- Single room, with half board 460,00 €
*supplement for accommodation from 22 Jun – 23 Aug 2025: 60,00 € per week
Visa 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 80,00 € plus optional DHL fee
University placement program
BWS Germanlingua will take care of the placement at a German University and provide assistance and counseling in regard 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. Find further information in our brochure here.
- Booking Fee 700,00 €,-
Vocational training program
Learn German at BWS Germanlingua and complete a paid vocational training (Berufsausbildung) at a German company. With this program you will start learning German at one of our BWS Germanlingua 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 1000,00€
Transfer from the Cologne airport
- Euro 150,00 €
- Euro 270,00 €
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.
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, are 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
