Student Feedback

Fabulous school and unique methodology to progress in German

Eric, 74, from France – July 05, 2026

Stay: 2 weeks, Course Start: 2026

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The Good & the Bad - what did you like best? What least?

I have just completed a two-week course at the GLS German language school in Berlin, my third time attending. Once again, I found myself wondering: where does GLS find teachers like Alexander, Simone, Lars, or Christian? How do they all manage to combine kindness and firmness with such an obvious passion for teaching German, and such a heartfelt desire to help every student make progress?

This year, I happened to have the same teacher, Alexander, as I did three years ago, and I wondered whether his determination and passion for teaching might have dulled over time. The answer: not at all. I found the same enthusiasm, the same ingenious efforts, and the same evident joy in teaching that I had experienced with him before.

Beyond the highly professional teaching staff, the GLS methodology rests on an integrative and stimulating pedagogical approach. In the morning, GLS offers two 90-minute sessions in groups of 8 to 12 students of similar proficiency levels. Systematic grammar work alternates with discussions in pairs or small groups on a wide variety of current societal topics (health and fitness, gamification at work, everyday social encounters, accessibility in public transport, and more), all of which easily spark genuine conversation in German. The quality of these exchanges is enhanced by the astonishing diversity of the students in nationality, age (from 18 to over 75), background, and reasons for learning German.

In the afternoon, students choose from additional programs based on their individual needs: for example, a 90-minute conversation session with a teacher (to improve speaking skills or overcome shyness about expressing oneself in German), or specific exam preparation. Practical assignments based on the day's topics are given daily and reviewed in class at the start of the next session.

GLS is ideally located in the heart of former East Berlin, in the Prenzlauer Berg district. The area has a quintessential, slightly bohemian Berlin atmosphere: public parks, schools and kindergartens, churches, and beautiful tree-lined avenues paved with traditional large flat stones, lined with countless small shops, restaurants, and cafés where one can eat, drink, and relax at any time of day, especially in the evening. And while the neighborhood is always lively, the buildings of the GLS campus, housing both classrooms and student accommodation, are set within a timeless, leafy park with plenty of benches, chairs, and tables where students can work outdoors, enjoy a drink, and socialize.

Your recommendations for other students

Truly, this school is a unique place for anyone wishing to improve their German while meeting interesting people and enjoying a pleasant "studious" holiday in this magnificent, distinctive city, so rich in museums and sites that bear witness to Europe's turbulent and contrasting history. Having compared it with other options, including the better-known institutes, I keep coming back to GLS. After three visits, I remain a devoted fan and a true admirer of this uniquely friendly organization, where you feel at once integrated and at ease. I am already planning my next trip!