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Learn German in Heidelberg
Home to the oldest university in Germany - and one of the longest-surviving educational institutions on the continent - Heidelberg is an excellent location for a language course! This charming, picturesque city straddles the River Neckar and is a gateway to the Odenwald mountains. With its baroque buildings and large student population, Heidelberg offers an interesting mix of the ancient and the youthful, while its warm climate makes it an appealing destination at any time of year. The city plays host to myriad annual events including the Vampire Ball, the Fasching, the Old Town Autumn Festival, and the world-famous Christmas market. Students who learn German in Heidelberg can experience all these delights and more while they study at our award-winning school.
Heidelberg is most known for its renowned university, though its rich history goes back much, much further than that. The city in fact gives its name to homo Heidelbergensis, an early type of human whose remains were found in the area. The so-called ‘Heidelberg Man’ offers the earliest evidence of human life in Europe; amateur archaeologists can view this wonder at the Institute of Earth Sciences in the city’s university.
Originally known as Bergheim, meaning ‘Mountain Home’, Heidelberg appears in records in the 12th century. At this time, the city was the seat of Holy Roman power under the ruling Hohenstaufen dynasty, which called Schloss Heidelberg its home. The city’s famous university has this heritage to thank for its origin, since it was Elector Palatine Rupert the Red who founded it all the way back in 1386.
As the Middle Ages continued, this institution played a leading part in almost all major European schools, especially those of science and philosophy. In its time it has played host to such notable names as Pope Pius II, Dmitiri Mendeleev, Mac Weber, and Hannah Arendt. The university is just across the river from our language school and various parts of the campus, including its botanical gardens and its stunning library, are open to the public. There are also regular German-language lectures and seminars that member of the public can attend too!
It's not just history and education that makes Heidelberg tick, however. The city is also young and vibrant, boasting excellent shops, interesting local businesses, and bars and restaurants catering to every taste imaginable. This really is a city offering something to everyone. You can see a play or a musical in one of the city’s many theatres, or visit the famous Heidelberg Tun, the world’s largest wine barrel which was made from over 100 oak trees. You can take a stroll down the Philosopher’s Path or climb to the top of Holy Hill, spotting the numerous buried delights along the way. Or why not visit the Studentenkarzer, the university prison, which is decorated with the art and graffiti of generations of unruly students? Or perhaps Tiergarten Zoo and the nearby Neckarwiese park? It’s a veritable oasis, and a beautiful spot to spend an afternoon.
With all these attractions and more at your disposal, you’re sure to find plenty of things to do after your classes have finished, as well as plenty of places to practice your German!
Our school in Heidelberg
You will find our German language school in Altstadt, Heidelberg’s lively Old Town. This area is known for the cobbled squares and brick townhouses which give the city its distinctly Germanic feel. There are lots of shops and eateries in the surrounding area, and Heidelberg’s key attractions can all be reached on foot in under 30 minutes. These include the compact but verdant Bismarckplatz Park just around the corner, the Body Worlds Museum and its fascinating scientific exhibits, and the medieval Market Square and its impressive cathedral. From here you can take the funicular railway up the wooded slopes of Königstuhl, which hide many attractions and curiosities and offer unparalleled views over the city.
Our school in Heidelberg is a large facility with 70 bright classrooms and a total of 3 computer labs for students’ use. It also boasts several nearby residences which offer an ideal base for your language studies and your exploration of the city. The building is also used by local students learning other languages, so you’ll have the chance to practice your newly developed skills with native Germans. What’s more, this company doesn’t just offer immersive language tuition; it is also heavily involved in German education and has its own university for applied sciences, several bilingual schools, a number of primary and secondary schools across Germany, and several technical colleges. It really is an industry leader when it comes to education!
This leading position is reflected in its many awards and accreditations. These include successive victories such as iStudy Global Awards, StudyTravel Magazine’s Star School Awards, and Customer Excellence Awards. It has accreditation from the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and is a member of the German as a Foreign Language Student Council (FaDaF), Fachverband Deutscher Sprachschulen und Sprachreise-Veranstalter (FDSV), and the Federal Association of German Private Schools (VDP). Additionally, it is a registered test centre with authorisation to host various language exams including telc, TOEFL, and TestDaF. With all these reasons to study here, what are you waiting for?!
Courses in Heidelberg
Available courses
The core programme at this school is the Intensive course, which consists of 20 group lessons per week. These classes are scheduled between 09:00 -12:15 Monday to Friday, meaning students receive 4 classes per weekday. Since the classes are completely immersive, you will find that you improve very quickly!
Those looking for a more rigorous programme should select the Super-intensive 30 course, which adds 10 group lessons between 13:00 and 14:30 each weekday to the core programme. If needed, C1+ students can use their additional lessons to prepare for an upcoming exam such as telc, TestDaF, or DSH.
The maximum number of students on each course is 15, so everyone has lots of opportunities for language practice and interaction with the teacher. You will study with other people with the same starting level as you, allowing you to progress naturally.
Please note: if you have no previous experience with German, you will need to start your course on a specific date - contact us for available start dates for beginners.
The most efficient way to significantly improve your language skills to book a package of private lessons. With the undivided attention of the teacher and unlimited opportunities for language practice, private tuition offers flexibility and focus in a way that group classes may not always be able to. They’re particularly ideal if you have certain areas of weakness or interest you’d like to focus on. The standard packages consist of 10 or 20 one-to-one classes per week, but we can arrange a bespoke package for you if you prefer.
If you’d like to attend private classes but don’t want to miss out on the social experience of a group course, why not book a combined Intensive + Private package? This programme allows you to build your general knowledge of German in morning group lessons and focus on your preferred topics in afternoon 1:1 sessions. A reverse schedule is also available on request.
Our partner school also offers an excellent Business German programme, which combines the Intensive or Super-intensive courses with 1 extra daily lesson covering commercial vocabulary and practices relating to the German world of work. This course is available to start on the first week of every month. Students need at least B2 level German to be able to follow the course.
Don’t see what you’re looking for? Contact us today to see if we can arrange a bespoke package for you!
Accommodation
For maximum language immersion and opportunities for development, we recommend that you stay with a homestay host during your course. All hosts live within 30 minutes’ travel of the school by public transport**. They offer single or twin* bedrooms and shared access to the home’s bathroom and communal areas. Hosts provide 1, 2, or 3 daily meals as part of the accommodation package, according to your preferences. Guaranteed Wi-Fi access and/or kitchen use can be provided with a small supplement. Bed linens are included once; you should bring your own towels. You will be asked to pay a €150 deposit on arrival; this will be returned to you upon departure providing your key is returned and your room is left as it was found.
**More distant hosts (up to 50 minutes’ travel) are available at a lower rate. Please contact us if you would like further information about this.
Student residence lodging offers the opportunity to stay with other school students and have a social accommodation experience. The school offers two standard residences, both under 25 minutes from the school by public transport. These offer single or twin* bedrooms, shared bathrooms, and communal kitchens. It is possible to upgrade to a room with an ensuite shower for an additional fee. All rooms are booked on a self-catering basis and have Wi-Fi access. Bed linens are included; you should bring your own towels. You will be asked to pay a deposit of €200 upon arrival; this will be returned to you upon departure providing your key is returned and your room is left as it was found.
If you’d like to have this social lodging experience but prefer to have access to a private bathroom and be closer to the language school, then you can select the premium residence. This is located just a few minutes’ walk from the language school and offers single and twin* ensuite bedrooms, each equipped with a fridge and a microwave. Rooms are booked without meals, though it is possible to add breakfast at the hotel across the road; you can book this on-site. Bed linens are included; you should bring your own towels. Rooms are cleaned regularly, though you are responsible for keeping your space tidy. Wi-Fi access is available. You will be asked to pay a deposit of €200 upon arrival; this will be returned to you upon departure providing your key is returned and your room is left as it was found.
For ultimate independence, select a studio apartment and stay in a 1-bedroom flat in the centre of Heidelberg. All studios are under 10 minutes’ walk from the language school, allowing easy exploration of the city after class. Each apartment can be booked by 1 or 2 people* and all have a private bathroom and an equipped kitchenette. They are booked on a self-catering basis, though we do recommend sampling some of the local restaurants as well as cooking for yourself! 2-bedroom apartments are available on request for groups of 3 and 4 students. Bed linens are included; you should bring your own towels. You will be asked to pay a deposit of €200 upon arrival; this will be returned to you upon departure providing your key is returned and your room is left as it was found.
*Twin rooms are only available to two students travelling together. If you select a twin room but are travelling alone, you will be moved to a single room.
Activities
As well as language classes, the school organises an extensive cultural programme for students. This includes activities and excursions which will help you to get to know the city and the surrounding area, as well as your fellow students. All activities are conducted in German; this allows you to maintain your immersion in the language and to continue to learn through experience in real-life scenarios.
Many activities are available free of charge, though some may incur an additional fee to cover entrance and/or transportation costs. The exact schedule changes throughout the year but may include:
- Guided city tours
- Group games and sports
- Visits to local attractions such as the Apothecary Museum, Philosophers’ Walk, and Heidelberg Castle
- Boat trips on the Neckar
- Meals and/or drinks with the class
- Half- and full-day excursions to local points of interest such as Frankfurt, Strasbourg, and Black Forest villages
Please note that a minimum number of 8 students is required for activities to go ahead, and a minimum of 12 students is required for excursions.
How to get there
The closest international airport to Heidelberg is Frankfurt Airport, which is around 80 km away.
If needed, we can arrange a transfer service for you on arrival and/or departure at this airport. If you select this service on arrival, you will be collected at the airport when you land and be taken directly to your accommodation. If you select this service on departure as well, you will be collected from your accommodation and taken back to the airport in time for your flight.
Transfers to/from Heidelberg or Mannheim train stations are available on request.
This service can also be arranged from the following airports: Stuttgart, Baden-Baden-Karlsruhe, Hahn, Strasbourg, and Saarbrücken. Please contact us for information about prices.
All students should arrange to arrive in Heidelberg on the Sunday before their course begins and to depart on the Saturday after it finishes. Extra nights may be available on request if required.
Location of our school in Heidelberg
Student stories on our blog
I lost my heart in Heidelberg…
This well-known phrase and same-titled film and song perfectly describes Heidelberg – the beautiful multicultural city in the Southwest of Germany! As a matter of fact, it's not just partners that you can fall in love with in Heidelberg... You'll also find yourself losing your heart to the city itself! It’s no wonder the incredibly picturesque old town attracts visitors from all over the world. Heidelberg immerses you in the German language but also surrounds you with a wide variety of other foreign languages! Sometimes you will hear English, French or Spanish on a walk through this bustling city!
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Prices for Heidelberg
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NOTE: The start dates marked (b) are suitable for all levels, including complete beginners.
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