Learning German
German is your key to success — both personally and professionally!
Unlike some degree programs, daily life and work here take place entirely in German: You need German to go shopping, take advantage of recreational activities, and apply for 95% of all job openings. Only a very small percentage — less than 3% of jobs — require no knowledge of German at all. This means that if you speak only English, you severely limit your personal and professional opportunities.
The best way to learn the language is to do so alongside your studies: consistently, in small increments, and over the long term. Use media or leisure activities (such as sports) to combine language learning with your hobbies.
Start learning German today—for more opportunities, greater security, and a real future in Germany.
Learn about the different options available and find the learning path that fits your academic program and daily life.
German Language Resources
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In addition to university-specific language courses, the Language Center (FSZ) also offers individualized and informal language learning opportunities (e.g., digital language learning or tandem learning). In addition to general German courses, there are also specialized courses in “Technical German” and “German for Job Applications and the Workplace.”
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In addition to language courses, the h_da Language Center offers e-learning programs and arranges language tandems. Intensive courses are available as part of the Summer and Winter University programs.
The Language Hub offers a variety of support and bridge courses as well as workshops for German. Through these courses and individual writing consultations, students have the opportunity to expand their knowledge of technical and academic German and receive support in writing academic texts.
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The Language Center supports and assists students who wish to learn a foreign language or expand and improve their language skills while pursuing their studies. It offers a wide range of self-study language programs, a language café, individual writing advice, and more.
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German as a Foreign Language offers a wide range of German courses for learners with varying levels of prior knowledge. The courses are structured according to the CEFR levels and cover topics such as everyday language, academic and professional contexts, and academic writing, often with a specific focus on practical application.
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The program offers German courses for students at all proficiency levels that run concurrently with their academic studies during the semester. It includes both general and specialized intensive courses, as well as individual skill-building modules designed to specifically target and improve certain areas such as speaking or writing.
The course offerings are supplemented by special programs such as language learning counseling, tandem learning, and academic writing.
Selection of offers:
Modern German Grammar: Ready for College, Work, and Everyday Life
Smarter German. German as a second foreign language – after English: This course is designed for people who do not yet know German but have already learned English as a foreign language or are native English speakers. You will learn how to use your knowledge of English to start learning German quickly and efficiently.
German as a Foreign Language for Academic and Professional Purposes (A2/B1): The Internship: In this online course, you can prepare your application for an internship as well as various communication situations within the company. The focus is on workplace communication.
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Deutsche Welle offers free German courses, videos, and listening exercises. The content is structured in a way that supports learning and is ideal for students who want to practice independently and regularly.
In the course “Looking for Professionals – German in the Workplace,”you’ll receive valuable tips on finding a job or apprenticeship, applying for positions, and communicating in the workplace.
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deutsch.info is a free German learning platform that offers courses from A1 to B2 level, as well as grammar guides, vocabulary lists, and exercises. It also features quizzes on history, culture, and more to help you prepare for the naturalization test.
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The Goethe-Institut provides free online exercises, videos, and learning materials for German learners.
There is also a special course on "Communication in the Workplace" tailored to various professional fields.
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Sprachportal.at is a free learning platform for German (A1–C1). It offers regular live online courses, interactive exercises, videos, podcasts, and learning materials. These resources are free and particularly well-suited for ongoing learning.
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In addition to general German language courses, the vhs learning portal also offers industry-specific courses for certain sectors, such as logistics and healthcare. A wide variety of digital textbooks and materials are also available, including interactive exercises, audio files, and videos. All courses on the vhs learning portal are free of charge.
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If you want to prepare specifically for the TestDaF exam, you’ll find plenty of materials and practice opportunities here. Take advantage of these resources to familiarize yourself with the exam format, practice your German skills, and learn about what to expect on exam day.
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Here you'll find free teaching materials designed to help you practice listening and reading comprehension, as well as grammar and vocabulary. There are special practice materials available on the topic of "work."
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By listening to dialogues and stories, you’ll get a feel for how words and sentences sound, helping you learn the correct pronunciation and stress. This will help you understand how to use German in conversations and pick up new words along the way. There are also news segments in simple German.
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Maria herself learned German as a foreign language a few years ago. In her videos, she explains grammatical issues, vocabulary for various situations, and typical German expressions.
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Learn German Original focuses on structured German language learning from A1 to approximately B1/B2. The videos explain grammar, vocabulary, and important idioms clearly and comprehensively, often using practical examples from everyday life. The content is systematically organized by language level and is particularly well-suited for self-study. The style is calm, friendly, and educational, with a focus on building a solid foundation of knowledge.
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The channel offers content for language proficiency levels A1 through B2, as well as topic-specific lessons that are also relevant to the workplace, such as salary negotiations, cultural differences, and much more.
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Lingster Academy focuses on providing German learners with clear and practical explanations of grammar, vocabulary, and idioms. The videos are designed to be suitable for both beginners and intermediate learners and help users feel more confident using German in everyday situations. The style is friendly, clearly structured, and motivating, with plenty of examples and repetition to make learning easier.
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YourGermanTeacher offers German lessons for beginners and advanced learners. The videos cover key grammar topics, vocabulary, and everyday conversations, and are often organized by language proficiency levels such as A1–B1. Content is explained clearly and step by step, often with examples, reviews, and interactive exercises.
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freeGermanLessons offers free German learning videos, mostly for beginners and intermediate learners. The content includes grammar explanations, vocabulary, pronunciation tips, and simple dialogues tailored to everyday situations. The lessons are clearly structured and explained in an easy-to-understand way, allowing you to make progress step by step. The style is friendly, relaxed, and well-suited for self-learners who want to practice German effectively and without time pressure.
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The ARD Mediathek is ARD's free streaming portal, offering news, documentaries, series, and educational content. It includes programs such as *tagesschau*, *tagesthemen*, and other ARD channels. Many of the videos feature subtitles, making them ideal for German learners.
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The ZDFmediathek is ZDF’s free streaming portal, offering news, documentaries, series, movies, and educational content. It includes programs such as *heute*, *heute journal*, and *Terra X*, as well as content from ZDFneo and ZDFinfo. Many of the videos feature subtitles, making them ideal for German learners.
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The Tagesschau podcasts offer the latest news and background information in audio format. Important topics from Germany and around the world are explained and contextualized in a clear and accessible way across various formats. In addition to brief news summaries, there are also podcasts that cover individual topics in greater depth. This makes the content ideal for practicing listening comprehension while staying informed about current events.
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Deutschlandradio is a public radio broadcaster in Germany that offers a wide range of audio content on news, politics, culture, science, and society. Through its website, many programs, features, and podcasts can be listened to for free or accessed later. Its stations include Deutschlandfunk, Deutschlandfunk Kultur, and Deutschlandfunk Nova. The content features in-depth reports, interviews, and analyses, and is well-suited for practicing listening comprehension in German.
Would you like to chat in a (new) foreign language and meet interesting people? Whether you're a beginner or an advanced learner, there's a place for everyone at Café Babbel. Materials such as games, tablets, and books are also available to help get the conversation started. Tea, coffee, and snacks are included too!
Café Sprachwelten is open to anyone interested in interacting with others in a relaxed atmosphere to practice their language skills and gain international experience right here on campus. At Café Sprachwelten, languages come to life and intercultural skills are fostered.
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With engaging videos, informative news, and music, the app helps you find the perfect way to learn German. Get started right away—even without any prior knowledge—and improve your German online and on the go, completely free of charge. We offer courses for all levels—and if you’re not sure where you stand, our placement test will help you quickly and easily find the right course for you! We offer:
- Courses for beginners, intermediate, and advanced learners (from literacy to exam preparation)
- wide selection of interactive exercises
- Vocabulary practice and word definitions
- Grammar and cultural studies materials
Improve your German skills and have fun doing it! Here are the rules:
- speak only German
- Ask questions
- Have fun
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Lunes offers vocabulary for over 40 professions across various industries. This allows you to learn the specific words you need and practice their forms and spellings through multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank exercises.
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Do you enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a café and want to meet new people?
Then our language café is the perfect place for you! Over a drink, you’ll have the chance to:
- meet other students
- to gain intercultural insights
- to converse with you in German, English, and other languages
All h_da students are welcome—your level of German doesn't matter.
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If you’re interested in languages, culture, and people from all over the world, the Language Café is the place for you. We meet regularly in a cozy atmosphere over coffee, tea, and snacks. The group is open to anyone interested in learning a language together and communicating in groups. Unlike a language exchange, where two language partners support each other in learning, conversation here takes place in groups. These groups meet at tables designated for the respective language.
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At the language café, you can relax and chat with fellow learners and native speakers in the language you’d like to start using again, brush up on, or perfect.
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Speak German, understand Frankfurt. We practice speaking German in small groups. Topics include shopping, celebrating holidays, giving directions, work, and more.
Every Tuesday at 5 p.m. at the Frankfurt Central Library (Hasengasse 4, 60311 Frankfurt). Registration is required at veranstaltungen.zentralbibliothek@stadtbuecherei.frankfurt.de!
Every Thursday from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., the "Dialog" German conversation group meets at the main office in the Justus-Liebig-Haus. This open discussion group is a free program for anyone learning German as a second language.
Address:
Große Bachgasse 2,
64283 Darmstadt
The app offers bilingual, topic-based vocabulary flashcards and exercises for language levels A1, A2, B1, and B2. The content is available for learners of English, French, Russian, Czech, Spanish, Arabic, and Chinese.
The app was developed to complement the textbook "Spektrum Deutsch," but the vocabulary can also be used for practice independently of the textbook.
