Do you enjoy communicating? That’s great! But does the thought of learning German for work make you nervous? Don’t worry, you can do something about it. A good German course can be really fun, and it’s definitely worth it not only to improve your job prospects. After all, life is much easier with strong language skills whether at work, in the supermarket, at government offices, or during your free time. Here, we answer the most important questions about German courses.

How Much German Do You Need for Different Jobs?

Language Levels: A1 to C2

You’re probably familiar with the language proficiency levels from A1 to C2. These levels are standardized across Europe:

• A1 is the lowest level. It describes the first basic knowledge of the German language. This is followed by the second basic level: A2

• Once you have completed B1, you have intermediate knowledge: You can understand and use standard language when it comes to familiar content. With B2 you already have advanced knowledge.

• C1 stands for very advanced knowledge. This language level is required for many German-language degree courses, among other things. At C1 level, you can deal with complex texts; you have also learned to communicate fluently orally - even on more difficult topics.

• And if you have mastered German at C2 level, you use the language like a native speaker (or better 😉).

Starting a A Career with B1 Skills: Chances and Opportunities

For non-academic jobs where you don’t need to communicate much, either orally or in writing, B1-level German is often sufficient. It’s enough for basic conversations with colleagues and may work for temporary jobs in kitchens, crafts, factories, or warehouses. However, B1 is usually not enough for customer-facing roles.

B2 as a Stepping Stone for "Qualified Professions"

"Qualified professions" are professions for which you need special training. B2 skills are the minimum required by employers for many qualified professions. But B2 is also a common requirement for all other jobs in which you communicate a lot on a daily basis.

If you are looking for an apprenticeship in Germany, you should ideally also have B2 skills. In some training companies, B1 is sufficient for the start, but: At vocational school, advanced German language skills are important in order to follow the lessons.

C1 Knowledge for many Academic Professions

If you want to work in an academic profession and the working language is German, you will normally need C1 knowledge in order to be able to communicate professionally. For some professions, German level C1 is even required by law: e.g. for doctors, pharmacists, psychologists and others. C1 may also be required for some qualified, non-academic professions.

Technical language

In addition to general language skills, technical language is also required for many professions: this includes certain vocabulary and special written or oral forms of presentation that are typical for a specific professional field. To name a few examples: Doctors have to talk to patients and write reports; lawyers have to have a very precise command of German legal terminology, and engineers have to be able to describe technical processes in detail. Depending on the sector, there are special technical language courses and also technical language examinations.

In a nutshell: German language skills are important for most professions - even if the working language is English. The regulations on levels can depend on laws, other standards and the requirements of individual employers: So if you are aiming for a specific job, it is best to find out exactly what language skills are required for it.

What types of German courses are there?

There are different types of German courses in Germany. We will introduce you to the most important ones.

Integration Courses

An integration course includes a basic German course (A1-B1) and an orientation course in which you expand your historical, political and cultural knowledge.

For some people, integration courses are fully or partially funded by the German state. It depends on your background whether you are admitted to an integration course free of charge. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) is responsible for this. Current information about integration courses can be found here.

Professional Language Courses

There are job-related basic courses (general German) and special courses (e.g. technical German for specific professions). Vocational language courses are generally free of charge. Here too, the BAMF is responsible for funding.

If you are in contact with the Jobcenter or the Employment Agency, your case manager will decide whether you are entitled to a vocational language course. Your case manager will look at your individual situation on a case-by-case basis. You can find the latest information on vocational language courses here.

The following courses are generally subject to a fee:

Intensive Courses

Intensive courses are the fastest way to learn German. Lessons usually take place daily from Monday to Friday. There is also homework. Here you will learn German to prepare for your studies or your job.

Study or Part-time Courses

These are courses that you can take parallel to university or work. They are less intensive and often take place in the evening, e.g. once or twice a week - because students and working people often don't have much more time to study.

Exam training

Here you will get to know a specific examination format in more detail and learn how to best complete the various tasks.

There are also various German courses that are integrated into qualification programs - including, of course, technical language courses.

How Long Does a German Course Last and How Much Does it Cost?

The duration and costs of a German course vary depending on the type of course, previous knowledge and the provider's course system. These points play a role:

Are you eligible to attend an integration course or vocational language course? If so, the costs may be partially or fully covered by the German state. The duration of the course depends on the type of course.

Are you starting from scratch or do you already have previous knowledge? In an intensive course, you can get from zero to C1 in around 10 months. Of course, if you have previous knowledge, it will be quicker. Because intensive courses comprise many hours and deal with many aspects of the language in great detail, they cost more than study or work-related courses, for example.

Study or work-based courses often focus on specific aspects - e.g. communication. They comprise fewer hours, so you also pay less than for an intensive course. As lessons take place less frequently than on intensive courses, you will need more time to reach the next level.

If you are already working and would like to take a German course, you are sometimes lucky enough to have your employer pay for the course in full or in part: it is often worth talking about it.

And at the End: An Official German Exam?

For some professions you need a standardized German exam, for others a certificate of attendance from a German course is sufficient. There are general language exams at various levels and specialist language exams.

If you have a specific profession or even a specific employer in mind: Find out exactly whether you need a language certificate. If you have to take a prescribed exam, get advice from a language school.

How do you find a good language school?

There are so many language schools! How do you find your way around? Here are a few tips for finding a suitable institute:

• 🔍 Integration courses and vocational language courses are only offered by approved language schools. You can check where there are integration courses in your city here. You can get information on vocational language courses from your job center or employment agency.

• 🧑🏼‍💻 Take a look at the websites of several language schools and compare the courses on offer. Are there different course models? How are the lessons structured? Are there face-to-face or online lessons - or both?

• 💬 Make sure you get good advice: ask all your questions and have the course system explained to you.

• 🏫 Do you already have previous knowledge? Good language schools offer a placement test so that you can sign up for a really suitable course.

• 🖊️ Would you like to take a German exam after the course? Many language schools also conduct exams - and are particularly good at it.

• 🛏️ Do you need accommodation during the language course? Some language schools offer their participants rooms to rent - why not ask?

• 🤝 Many good language schools are members of “FaDaF” (Fachverband Deutsch als Fremd- und Zweitsprache) and indicate this on their website.

• 📣 And finally: Ask around - talk to people who have already attended your preferred language school. An honest testimonial is worth a lot!

In our blog posts, we do not use gender-inclusive language to make them easier to read for non-native German speaking readers. Of course, all genders are included, as diversity and inclusion are important to us.