Learning German Abroad. German courses in Germany. German courses abroad - course types

1. Ancient traditions of teaching

A hundred years ago, half of all students studying abroad studied in this country. For centuries, this country, like a magnet, attracted those who were interested in first-class vocational training. Mikhail Lomonosov, Alexander Radishchev, Ivan Turgenev, Ivan Sechenov, Dmitry Mendeleev, Kliment Timiryazev, Mikhail Prishvin and many other prominent figures of culture and science studied here. The first German university, Heidelberg, was founded in 1386. At the same time, other local universities have centuries of glorious history.

In today's world, the Made in Germany label is recognized as a benchmark for quality, whether it's for cars or for education.

2. Opportunity to master German perfectly

This language is one of the most demanded in the international arena. Owning it increases the chances of successful employment and career advancement.

Large national companies - BMW, Siemens, Lufthansa, Bosch and others - need partners who speak German. This is one of the official means of communication in the European Union and a number of international organizations. More than 100 million people speak German as their mother tongue, and about 55 million Europeans speak it as a secondary language.

3. Attractiveness of the country as a place for study and later life

According to the annual BBC poll, since 2008 this country has regularly topped the list of the most popular countries in the world. Munich, Berlin, Hamburg, Dusseldorf, Stuttgart and Nuremberg are among the best cities to live in (Mercer, Monocle's ratings).

The German economy is the largest in Europe. This country is one of the world leaders in the automotive, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, in the field of design, high technology, software and publishing. For centuries, the Germans have declared themselves to be innovators. It was they who invented the printing press and the globe, the car and the radar, the TV and aspirin, the MP3 format and the theory of relativity, and much more. Eight of the twenty-two greatest discoveries of the 20th century belong to the Germans. And today, according to a study by General Electric (Innovation Barometer 2014), this country ranks second among the most innovative in the world. More than 90 residents of Germany became laureates Nobel Prize. Just as great is the country's contribution to world culture and sports.

Studying here is also an opportunity for Russians to travel, see local sights, useful contacts with new people.

4. Living and studying in German schools ah are cheaper than in many other countries of the world

Receipt higher education still free in many regions. Do you want to know how much it costs to study in Germany in other institutions? It does not exceed 500 euros per semester. Almost all German universities and colleges are funded by the state. Availability a large number benefits, scholarships and grants allows foreign students to significantly reduce living expenses.

5.Convenient location in Europe

Austria, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Denmark, Poland are border countries that can be reached by bus and train in a couple of hours. And to Spain, Italy, Great Britain - only 1 hour by plane. By getting an education, you can travel all over Europe without serious financial and time costs.

6.High security

This state ranks 7th in terms of security among the countries included in the OECD. In megacities and small towns, it is calm even at night, drivers and pedestrians comply with traffic rules, and the crime rate is steadily declining.

7. Multicultural State

The German population is very tolerant: representatives of the most different nationalities and cultures. Therefore, studying here is comfortable for foreigners, including students from Russia.

8.Fast paperwork

The country has a fairly loyal visa issuance policy. To obtain it, you will need to collect a minimum of documents for the trip.

Study in Germany for foreigners: main programs

Language courses for children 5-17 years old

Education of children is carried out in several directions. These include general and intensive German courses, individual training(including accommodation in the teacher's family), "Intensive German + Sports". Their duration is from 1 to 9 or more weeks. There are both summer and year-round courses. The level of training is from beginner to advanced. Accommodation is organized in host families, school residences or youth hotels. Classes are taught by qualified teachers from leading language schools. The most popular among them are DID Deutsch-Institut, Humboldt Institut, OISE.

Language courses for adults (from 17 years old)

Organized for students with different levels of training: from zero to advanced. The duration of the programs ranges from 1 to 8 or more weeks. Classes are coming all year round. The dates for the start of training should be specified additionally. Lessons are held on the basis of prestigious language schools - DID Deutsch-Institut and Humboldt Institut. Accommodation is organized in host families, hotels, apartments, school residences.

Programs offered: standard and intensive German courses, TestDAF Preparation, German for Business, intensive course in a mini-group. Individual training is also available, including accommodation in the teacher's family. Study load depending on the program is from 10 to 40 lessons per week.

Both children's and adult language courses involve not only German classes. An extensive sports, excursion and entertainment program awaits all listeners.

Secondary education

Schools are represented by public and private institutions. The second may be designed specifically for girls or boys, there are also mixed-type institutions. The system provides for teaching children in German and includes two stages:

• initial. Children begin to master knowledge at the age of 6 to 10-12 years. Primary school is attended for 4 years. The only exceptions are Berlin and Brandenburg educational institutions. They study for 6 years;
• average. After graduation primary school children can continue their studies in the main (Hauptschule), real (Realschule) or general (Gesamtschule) school. Another option is a gymnasium or a private educational institution.

It is worth noting that the church here is separated from the state. Most schools are secular.

Preparation for the university (from 17 years old)

These year-round courses are organized language centers Did Deutsche Institut in Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Munich. They are long-term programs to improve the German language. Groups of 10-15 people are trained according to one of three models: "Standard", "Intensive" and "Premium". The first provides 20, the second - 24, and the third - 28 lessons per week. The initial level of knowledge of the language can be both zero and advanced. Course duration - from 12 weeks. At the end, students take an exam developed by the German Language Society (GfdS) and receive a diploma.

Business courses (from 17 years old)

The language school Did Deutsche Institut provides an opportunity for business people to get an education on an individual basis. The standard program includes, as a rule, from 20 to 60 lessons per week. In the classroom, much attention is paid to the expansion of professional vocabulary and the development of specific skills necessary for the successful conduct of international business (the basics of correspondence, negotiations, interviews, document management, etc.).

What the cost of studying

The cost of the course depends on many factors. These include the type of program chosen, the prestige of the school, the length and intensity of classes, the number of cultural events and the type of accommodation.

In addition, students will face a number of additional costs. The biggest expense item is housing costs. The student has 3 accommodation options:

• hotel or apartment;
• residence;
• host family.

The latter option is usually cheaper. The student can choose single and double accommodation. The host families' houses are located near the language school. The road takes 10-20 minutes. All Host Family are carefully selected and regularly checked by the staff of the language school. They are very hospitable, sociable and friendly. Host family rates may include breakfast or half board. Also, the student can cook for himself. Living with native German speakers allows you not only to practice speaking in a relaxed atmosphere and learn to understand it better, but also to get to know the traditions, culture and way of life of the country.

It will cost a little more to stay in a hotel or residence. The latter option involves accommodation in a room with all amenities, designed for 2 or 4 people, and meals on a half board basis. Students who wish to stay in a hotel are usually provided with 2 options - Youth Hotel Standard and Single Studio Standard. In the first case, breakfast is included in the price, in the second, meals are paid separately.

Most educational institutions in Austria and Germany teach in German, the second compulsory language to study is English. In order to ensure fair and equal access to education in Austria for all students of schools and universities, the state and private institutions have proposed active learning German abroad.

The Austrian Language Competence Center (ACLC) is a national center that teaches and encourages the learning of the German language. The training program is designed in collaboration with science experts and using scientific and practical materials as a prime example. It also provides for the organization of practical events, learning German abroad and PR events. This program is used by many language centers. ACLC has developed 3 main versions of language learning:

• for elementary school(6-10 years);
• for high school(10-15 years);
• for the adult category (over 15 years old);

German language proficiency levels
A1 Entry level	Involves learning the basics of the German language. At the end of the program the student will understand simple expressions, will be able to tell a little about himself, answer simple questions and build simple sentences. Certificate: Goethe-Zertifikat A1
A2 Basic level	The second stage of learning the basics of the German language. At the end of the program, the student will be able to speak about all areas of everyday life in a simple and understandable language, able to deal with important situations that may arise while communicating with the natives. Certificate: Goethe-Zertifikat A2
B1 Threshold level	The third stage of language learning. It involves the study and development of simple units of the language, the ability to conduct a conversation in literary language, speak beautifully, difficulties and language barriers disappear. Certificate: Goethe-Zertifikat B1
B2 Advanced level	The fourth stage of language learning. It involves the consolidation of written and oral skills, the ability to understand difficult texts and expressing their point of view on a fairly wide range of issues. Ability to argue, debate and discuss. Certificate: Goethe-Zertifikat B2
C1 Advanced level	The fifth stage of language learning. At this stage, a person can already switch his thoughts to German and speak quickly without choosing the right words, since he is already half thinking in given language. Big vocabulary, correct grammar, correct construction of sentences. Certificate: Goethe-Zertifikat C1
C2 Professional level	The last stage, which can be constantly improved. It assumes complete and fluent command of the language, the ability to analyze and draw conclusions. Enough to study, work and live in this country. Certificate: Goethe-Zertifikat C2

Teaching German abroad

Companies that offer German courses abroad use an innovative tool in teaching (ESP), which is focused on independent and correct learning with deepening into the language environment.

Which way to learn German should you choose?

1. Instructor in the family - together with the family (child), an instructor lives or comes for a day, who conducts training for their parents in a relaxed style (goes shopping together, attends events, takes walks);
2. Language centers offer German courses abroad individually and in groups using an extensive program and constant practice;
3. Language schools within 1-2 years can teach basic programs and bring German language skills to a professional level. 10-2 people in the class;
4. Summer vacation courses involve complete immersion in the language environment for one to three months. A great way to combine relaxation with casual language learning.

• Popularity. German is considered one of the most spoken languages ​​in the world. It is native to over 100 million people. Owning it allows you to communicate not only in Germany, but also in other countries: Belgium, Denmark, Italy, France.
• Availability. German courses in Germany are much cheaper than in other countries. In addition, the country has moderate prices for food and accommodation.
• World recognition. This country is a world leader in education, which guarantees you the best knowledge and the opportunity to continue to get a good European education in higher educational institutions.
• Chances for career growth. Large companies such as BMW, Siemens, Bosch are constantly in need of international partners. Knowledge of the German language opens up new opportunities for work in America and Russia. Many German firms successfully operate in our country and offer jobs to our fellow citizens.
• Low crime rate. This country is quite calm with a high level of security. There is practically no internal conflicts, reduced crime.
• Mild climate. For heat-loving people here are ideal weather conditions - warm summer and cold winter.
• Expanding horizons. 1 out of 10 books in the world is published in German. Germany is a country of famous scientists, poets, authors, thinkers. This is a unique opportunity to read works in the original performance.
• Tourism and rest. Learning German in Germany will allow you to make new acquaintances, make good friends, and maybe build your own family happiness. Are you interested in art? Then this is a chance to get acquainted with the rich collections of museums, explore castles, watch movies, listen to music.

What are the German courses in Germany

• Standard lessons. This is a group form for 8-12 people with the same level of knowledge. Here you will find 20 lessons per week. You will have enough time for study and leisure.
• Intensive. These classes are designed for those who plan to quickly acquire language skills and are ready to work actively and hard for this. The duration of the classes is from 25-30 hours per week, the number of people in the group is up to 6. The difference from the basic course is the acquisition of knowledge in a more accelerated mode.
• Super intensive. Time spent - 35-40 hours a week. The group is even smaller, about 4 people.
• Academic. The program is intended for those who plan to further study at local universities. They allow you to gain basic knowledge in the chosen specialization and easily pass entrance tests. After completing these classes, you get a 90% chance to enter German universities.
• Business. A program for students who need German for doing business and communicating with business partners. Duration - from a week to a month. Having gained new knowledge, you can easily conduct business negotiations and correspondence in German.
• Individual. Your personal wishes and preferences are taken into account here. Classes are held individually according to the program drawn up in accordance with your wishes. This is a unique opportunity to combine study, hobby and leisure.
• Accommodation in the teacher's family. Such courses give best result. Being constantly in the environment of native speakers, you effortlessly memorize speech, get acquainted with new words and fill in gaps in knowledge in a matter of days.
• Baby. Depending on your goals, the course can last a month, a year, or take vacation time. The program is compiled based on the knowledge of the child, his age and wishes. Children can live in a specialized camp, a hotel or a foster family. All questions are discussed individually.

How to enter a language school?

It is necessary to start preparing for the trip in advance, as it will take time to obtain a visa and other formalities. It is better to start collecting documents 3 months before departure. After you pay for the tuition, the school will send you a confirmation, which, along with a package of documents, must be submitted to the consulate. You will need:

• application form;
• insurance for the duration of stay in the country;
• confirmation of the availability of the required amount for expenses;
• Russian and foreign passports;
• document confirming the payment of the visa fee;
• 1 photo.

Where to live while studying?

Going to German courses in Germany from Moscow or the regions, you can choose a convenient place for you to stay at an affordable cost:

• In family. This option is convenient for those who want to practice the language outside of class. This solution It is also attractive because of the opportunity to live in the comfort of home without much household chores. After all, the host family not only provides a room for students, but also provides them with food - breakfast and dinner.
• In dorm. The room can be equipped with a bathroom, or the shower will be located in the common area. The second option is cheaper. German hostels are modern and comfortable, it is very comfortable to live in them.
• In apartments. The most expensive option. You can choose an apartment according to your taste and budget. Here you will enjoy the greatest freedom.

4 interesting facts about German

1. 90% of Germans call their loved ones the affectionate word Schatz, which means "treasure".
2. German is the fifth most popular language on the World Wide Web. On average, 7% of all Internet users of the Network are its carriers and about 12% of questions on it are asked by the Google search engine.
3. Any noun in German has its own gender, and often it has a completely different meaning compared to the word. So, for example, the word "girl" (Mädchen) in German is neuter. In his book Walking Europe, Mark Twain wrote: “In German, girls have no gender, but the turnip does.” And the word Tor, used with the neuter article, is translated as “gate”, and with the masculine article it means “fool”.
4. The German language is famous for its multi-letter words. As the philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer once suggested, this is to get extra time for reflection during a conversation. So the longest officially used word in German is Rindfleischetikettierungsüberwachungsaufgabenübertragungsgesetz. It has 63 letters and stands for the name of the beef labeling law.

The most famous language schools in Germany

Carl Duisberg Centren is an educational institution with four buildings located in different parts of the country: Munich, Cologne, Berlin and Radolfzell. Courses run throughout the year.

DID Deutsch Institut is the largest language educational institution-institute, which is famous for its high quality of education and participation in leading language organizations. The abbreviation DID stands for "German in Germany".

Goethe-Institut - all national language programs are implemented through the Goethe-Institut. Training courses from the institution are located in different countries world, but it will be more effective to obtain knowledge directly in the country.

The traditions of learning the German language in our country are rooted in the distant past, when relations between the two countries were established and strengthened. Young people completed their education at universities in Germany, and those who were older improved their health on the waters and led an active social life. The later development of the industry required the development of closer business ties. And today, without exaggeration, we can say that knowledge of German is an indispensable component of a quality European education.

Of course, it is best to learn a language in places of its historical distribution, then national and cultural features are perceived more deeply and naturally, and in the learning process you can immerse yourself in everyday life, learn not only academic, but also lively colloquial speech, which will serve as an undoubted advantage in interethnic communication.

It is never too early and never too late for anyone to learn a language if the program is chosen correctly. Any form of education is popular, from children's vacation camps to courses for pensioners, from intensive language schools to programs that combine study and hobbies or sports. Somewhat apart are German language courses aimed at raising the level sufficient for further study at local universities in Germany.

Depending on the goals and level of German proficiency, as well as financial capabilities, you can choose courses and schools for adults and children.

In children's camps, they devote enough time and attention not only to study, although German pedantry and attention to detail are known throughout the world. A rich cultural, excursion and sports program is also provided, which is no less important than language classes, because children from a young age make friends from different countries.

Intensive and super intensive courses for youth include up to 30 hours of classes per week. If such a program is combined with accommodation in families, then the effectiveness of the trip is very high, because students comprehend the language, immersing themselves in the language environment to the fullest. It should be noted that dialects in different states of Germany differ markedly, so it is advisable to choose courses in the area where the chosen university is located. Programs that combine study and entertainment are similar to children's camps, but for adults.

In addition to the language, you can choose any field - from an art club to culinary or craft courses. This is more of a recreation than a study. This also includes family courses for adults and children. These classes not only unite and unite families, but also make it easier to adapt in the future in a German-speaking country, if necessary.

Business German courses are designed for professionals who need the language as part of their professional activity or to prepare for the PWD exam. In addition to learning the language, students receive knowledge of correspondence, documentation, and negotiation. Such courses are often supplemented by interesting excursions to industrial enterprises. Students who have completed a language course in Germany can easily find work in many developed European countries.

The cost of learning German depends on the intensity and duration curriculum, the type of accommodation for students, the richness of the cultural program and, finally, the season and place of study. Prices range from 300 to 1500 € per week.

Schools and universities in Germany

Secondary education can be obtained in public and private schools. Of the nuances, it should be noted that schooling in Germany lasts longer than in other countries - 13 years, so it often becomes necessary to bring the knowledge gained at home to the German standard. The best choice for this is schooling.

To continue your studies at the university, you must pass the exams in the gymnasium program and receive a certificate called Abitur.

For foreigners, including Russians, it is obligatory to receive an Abitur to study in Germany in a state or private school. Education in state universities was until recently free of charge, but today the tuition fee is low and amounts to about 600 € per semester, excluding fees for foreigners.

In private universities, the cost of education is much higher.

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German, although with only about 100 million native speakers, has become the third most popular language for foreigners to learn in the world and second only to English in Japan and Europe.

Everyone who enters the grammatical labyrinths of articles and endings of the German language has his own motivation. Some are aimed at finding a job or entering a university in a German-speaking country, others dream of reading Goethe and Heine in the original, others want to easily understand the texts of the world-famous rock band Rammstein...

As with any other language, courses in a country where everyday communication is conducted in German will help to achieve the greatest success in learning it in a short time. He has a status state language in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg, as well as in Namibia. Language schools for foreigners are most common in the first three countries from this list.

It is worth noting: if you plan to study at a university or work abroad, then it is better to study German in approximately the same region where the university or place of future work is located. Of course, there is a certain program for language schools, but the German language of the locals may differ from the "standard". For a beginner, some differences in pronunciation or spelling may seem insignificant: what kind of accent or articulation is there, when there is still a mess of cases, genders and tenses in the head. But further, discrepancies between classroom practice and everyday language can complicate the student's life, forcing him to "switch modes", which distracts and degrades the quality of the knowledge gained.

The pronunciation features of the Swiss are sometimes even distinguished into a separate dialect: for example, in the well-known linguistic laboratory of Dr. Pimsler, which develops audio courses for dozens of world languages, there are separate programs in accordance with the standard and Swiss programs of the German language.

It happens that the inhabitants of Austria cannot understand an ordinary German. Don't be surprised when someone asks you which variant of the language, Austrian or German, you learned. Historically, in the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, people actively communicated with the Slavs, Italians and other representatives of the peoples of Europe. Consequently, the local vocabulary also has more foreign borrowings than the "classical" German. “There are about a dozen mini-dialects in Vienna alone,” notes Jakob, a young resident of the capital of classical music. “By pronunciation alone, I can determine from which district this or that resident of the city comes from.”

Therefore, for foreigners, it will not be superfluous to have a linguistic adaptation to the area where they plan to stay for a while.

Germany and Austria: many options

Among the extremely wide variety of courses offered by language schools in these countries (and there are no significant pedagogical differences in the programs, according to education experts abroad), one can choose an option in accordance with the needs and budget of the student.

General language courses for youth and adults are designed for all levels of language proficiency - from zero to advanced C1, which is required for admission to German universities. All newly arrived students take a test on the first day, which determines the depth of knowledge and allows you to form groups with approximately equal language skills. The number of lessons per week is from 20 to 50 academic hours. You can take additional lessons tete-a-tete with a teacher or in mini-groups of five people. A standard course of twenty lessons, along with accommodation in a double room in a student residence, will cost about 350-400 euros for one week, an intensive course is more expensive. For example, a 24-hour group course and five individual lessons in one of the popular German schools cost 460 euros. And depending on where the student wants to live - in a family, in a hotel or rent their own apartment, a few hundred more euros will have to be added to the specified amount.

Also, the cost of each course includes such items of expenditure: air tickets (from 220 euros in both directions), insurance, transfer from the airport to the school and back, a consular fee of 35 euros and services of educational agencies. Sometimes the price of programs does not take into account the cost of textbooks and other teaching materials, so this detail is better to discuss in advance.

Quite popular are professional German language courses for business people, journalists, lawyers, economists, teachers and other professionals. Here Special attention is given to specific vocabulary and language clichés that are characteristic of a particular industry, the ability to draw up documents and conduct a business conversation. In many educational agencies, you can choose a course followed by an internship in Germany. On such an internship, a student can gain invaluable practice and work experience. The cost of such courses and living conditions usually do not differ from the standard ones, however, in order to master the language in the professional field, the student needs at least several individual lessons, and they are more expensive than group ones.

Holidays for children aged 7-18 usually include living in a student residence under adult supervision or in a family that lives near the school. The cost of one week of such a program is from 430 to 1120 euros. A wide range of prices is due to the saturation of the cultural program, living conditions and food. Some schools organize only 1-2 cultural events per week, others plan entertainment every day. In addition to excursions and walks around the city, students can play sports. The teaching methodology here is also somewhat different from courses for adults: the classes are interactive, because the task of the teacher is to interest the young student, to arouse his educational enthusiasm. Therefore, children learn not only the rules, but also poems, songs, counting rhymes.

Preparation for the Test DaF, Goethe or TELC exams generally involves thirty lessons per week and can last from two weeks to several months. For enrollment, you must speak the language at the appropriate level: C1 (for Test DaF) or B1-B2 (for TELC), B1-C2 (for Goethe). In addition to the established cost of the course (an average of 1-1.5 thousand euros for two weeks), the student must pay for the exam itself. Moreover, the higher the level of knowledge, the more expensive the certificate. For example, if an exam within the average B1 on the TELC scale costs 140 euros, then Goethe C2 - a certificate of language proficiency at the native level will cost 295 euros.

Switzerland and Belgium: the granite of science in chocolate

Language courses here have a bright tourist coloring. “Studying a language in Switzerland is a combination of classes and a good, healthy holiday. In winter, students go skiing, and in summer they go in for various active sports, explains Natalya Tarchenko, director of the DEC Education educational agency. “It is quite a popular tourist destination, while schools in Germany are known for their traditionalism, academic preparation, including exams, and intensive courses.”

Another feature of Swiss schools is that most of them teach several languages. In one auditorium, foreign guests learn German, in the next one - French, and on the second floor - English, Spanish, Italian ... Students treat this "salad" in different ways: some consider it a difficulty that prevents them from concentrating, others take the opportunity and pick up a few phrases from the new language.

The cost of the course itself is slightly higher than in Germany or Austria: from 600 euros per week for adults and from 1000 for children, excluding tickets, insurance, visas and other details mentioned above.

A well-known European school offers to improve German in Belgium, one of the branches of which is located near the famous town of Spa. It is from the name of this resort that the name of the spas comes from. Prices here, as you might expect, are quite high: one week language courses will cost 2820 euros. For this amount, the school promises individual approach, 35 classroom and 35 extracurricular activities, a special technique for understanding and explaining errors. Also, in addition to German, they offer to study a dozen other languages. Although, despite the language program, the cost of the course is still determined here primarily by proximity to the elite resort and the reputation of the school.

Many educational institutions that offer German courses have their own “highlights”: 24-hour communication with a teacher, parallel study of several languages ​​​​(for example, people often choose the combination “German + English”), daily excursions or accommodation in an old castle. So, if a student needs not only knowledge, but also new vivid impressions, he will receive them.

Just a little imagination, and studying German abroad will become like an exciting journey, after which the suitcases are full of souvenirs, the heart is filled with emotions, and the head is filled with acquired knowledge.

Victoria Skrypnik, for Osvita.ua

Osvita.ua
11.04.2013