Listen to German, speak German, write German.

The aim of our literacy courses, which are funded by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), is to help people learn German, especially if they have received little or no schooling in their countries of origin. Step by step, we teach you the Roman alphabet and German, from listening to the language and speaking it to eventually writing in German.

Our German instructors are specially trained for literacy courses. The pace of lessons is matched to each group. Our shared goal is to ensure all course participants are prepared for the German Test for Immigrants (DTZ). Our interactive courses take place in small groups.

Interested in a Literacy course?

Our course overview provides useful information to set the ball rolling for you. Simply select a Berlitz Center near you. You’ll then see a choice of possible courses, showing which ones are starting soon. Found the right course? Feel free to get in touch.

Course Overview

Courses Available

Take the next step: Placement test and registration

Been through the course overview and identified the right training for you? And do you have a qualification certificate (Berechtigungsschein) or written approval for a BAMF literacy course? Fill out our contact form and allow us to go through the details.

Contact us

Course details

BAMF literacy courses consist of 1,000 lessons, each lasting 45 minutes. Each course is divided into:

  • Basic German course consisting of 300 lessons (development of basic language skills)
  • Advanced language course A consisting of 300 lessons (consolidation of language skills)
  • Advanced language course B consisting of 300 lessons (consolidation of language skills)
  • Orientation course on the history, politics, and culture of Germany, consisting of 100 lessons

Learning the Roman alphabet is a fundamental part of all literacy courses. Courses also start by thinking about how people learn, because sometimes we need to learn how to study again. Lessons also look at topics from daily life. For example, we look at shopping, visiting the doctor, healthcare topics, the human body, and leisure activities.

Final certificate: After finishing the language course, a certificate test takes place. We carefully prepare course participants for the final exam. The orientation course concludes with the BAMF test on “Living in Germany.” If you do not pass the final test you may have to repeat the course.

To participate in a Berlitz literacy course, you will need written approval in the form of a Berechtigungsschein (certificate of eligibility). Application forms can be obtained from

  • The Foreigners’ Office (Ausländerbehörde)
  • The job center or welfare agency
  • The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF)
  • The Federal Refugee Office (the Bundesvertriebenenamt for ethnic German resettlers)
  • Immigration advisers

If your certificate of eligibility (Berechtigungsschein) has an expiration date, contact Berlitz before that date.

All courses in the overview show the regular course fees. Because Berlitz is a recognized provider of BAMF courses, if you have a certificate of eligibility or written approval to take part in this course, you are entitled to a subsidy of up to 100%. We will be happy to check what the specific costs will be for you.

See the course overview for the dates of literacy courses at selected Berlitz Centers. Not found the right course for you? We can help you identify if a suitable course is starting soon.

Already received written confirmation that you can participate in a BAMF German course? Allow us to arrange a consultation session so we can assess your current German language skills and determine which course is right for you.

Berlitz literacy courses usually take place in the morning in groups of no more than 16 people. The lessons are held on weekdays from Monday to Friday. The German literacy courses are mainly held at the Berlitz Center in Mönchengladbach.

The German instructors at Berlitz have all the required teaching approvals to run the integration courses of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.

Advice and registration

Contact us today and ask us your questions – with no obligation on your part. An expert at Berlitz will get back to you as soon as possible.