Which online German course is the best?

In this guide, you’ll find a concise overview of the eight most important criteria to help you decide on the best online German course:

• What makes the best online German course?
• A comparison of 8 criteria
• Case study: the iQ Lingua language school
• Checklist: Finding the best online German course
• Frequently asked questions
• Summary

A good online German course will not only teach you grammatically correct German. The overall conditions should also be right to ensure that the online German course is the best fit for you. Using the following 8 criteria, you can objectively assess for yourself which online German course is best suited to you:

1. Recognised proficiency levels according to the CEFR (A1–C2)
2. Qualified teachers
3. Small learning groups
4. Targeted exam preparation (telc, Goethe, TestDaF)
5. Flexible course start dates
6. Funding opportunities 
7. Transparent pricing
8. Online learning portal including an AI tutor

The practical side? You can check these 8 criteria before you enrol and compare the online German courses objectively. This way, you’ll find the best online German course for you.

2. Qualified teachers

The same applies to online German courses: the teacher’s training is a key indicator of the course’s quality. It is therefore very important that you pay attention to the teachers’ qualifications in the course description. Is the teacher a native speaker, or are they perhaps studying German themselves? Or are they a qualified teacher or a university lecturer?

Why is the teachers’ training so crucial? Qualified teachers and lecturers generally possess a great deal of pedagogical expertise. What does that mean? They have been specifically trained to impart knowledge to you and are familiar with specific methods to explain grammar to you in the most effective way and to provide you with targeted support when you encounter difficulties.

Remeber: the higher the teacher’s level of training, the better.

3. Small learning groups

The same applies to online German courses as to face-to-face courses: the smaller the learning groups, the more personalised the support for all participants. You should therefore always check the group size for the online German course you’re interested in. You can usually find this information directly on the website of the relevant language school, as online German courses are generally listed by teaching format:

• Private tuition, one-to-one, individual tuition, one-to-one course
  These course names indicate one-to-one tuition. This means you are alone with the teacher and all the content is tailored precisely to you and your level of proficiency.
• Duo course
  A duo course involves two-to-one tuition. What does this mean? You are taught in pairs by one teacher.
• Small group course, Classic
  These course names refer to small learning groups. As a rule, small learning groups consist of 4–6 participants.
• Group course
  This course name generally refers to a group course. Here, the course size is not specified. It could involve 4–6 participants or up to 30. It’s best to enquire if you’re unsure.

Please note: the smaller the group size, the more individual support you will receive from the teacher. Always pay attention to the names of the German courses. These can give you an initial indication of the size of the learning groups. As a rule, all the course formats listed can be delivered either as online German courses or as face-to-face courses. You should therefore read the course descriptions carefully.

4. Targeted exam preparation (telc, Goethe, TestDaF)

A good online German course should always be well-structured and work towards a specific goal. What does that mean? The course description must state which exam you can sit as a result of taking the online German course and what language level you can achieve through it.

What is a language level?

Foreign language proficiency is categorised into six levels in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR): A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2.

The advantage: if you state your language level, the person you’re speaking to will know straight away what language skills you have. This is crucial information for job applications, employers or even universities.

What language exams are there?

The best-known language exams are: the telc certificate, the Goethe Certificate and the TestDaF.

• telc certificate: The word ‘telc’ stands for ‘The European Language Certificates’. This is a language certificate that is recognised throughout Europe. You can take the telc Certificate in many languages (including German, English, Turkish, Ukrainian and Russian).
• Goethe certificate: The Goethe Certificate is an internationally recognised proof of your language proficiency. With a Goethe Certificate, you can demonstrate your knowledge of German worldwide.
• TestDaF: The word “TestDaF” stands for “Test of German as a Foreign Language”. This is the most important German language exam for international students who wish to study at a German university and need to prove their knowledge of German.

5. Flexible course start dates

A good online German course should allow you to start flexibly, so that you can get straight into learning German. You should also receive support from the teacher in settling into the group and getting to grips with the course content. You should therefore always check when the online German course begins and exactly where in the curriculum you will be joining.

6. Funding options

You can pay for an online German course yourself or consider other ways of funding it. For example, there is the Education Voucher from the Job Centre, state-funded integration courses, or employer subsidies. A good online German course should recognise the various funding options available; the language school should also assist you in applying for these and advise you on which ones are best suited to your needs.

• Education voucher from the Employment Agency: The education voucher is offered by the Employment Agency. This provides financial support for your continuing professional development. An online German course is also considered part of continuing professional development.
• State-funded integration courses: These are free integration courses funded by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.
• Employer subsidies: There is also the possibility of receiving financial support from your employer for an online German course. It is best to discuss this with your employer.

Please note:  There are also various funding options available for online German courses. You should be able to take part in a good online German course with the help of financial support. Enquire about your financial options directly with the language school of your choice.

7. Transparent pricing

A good online German course must have transparent pricing: all costs should be clearly set out and explained at a glance. This is absolutely essential. It is the only way to keep track of your costs and avoid hidden charges after signing the contract, which may exceed your budget. You should therefore carefully check all the costs for the online German course in question. Prices very often vary depending on the duration of the course. Pay particular attention to the small print or asterisks (*).

Remember: a good online German course will list all costs transparently. Hidden costs usually indicate an untrustworthy provider.

8. Online learning portal including an AI language coach

A good online German course should feature an online learning portal and an AI language coach. Why? An online learning portal and an AI language coach allow you to practise German and revise your grammar 24 hours a day, regardless of your online German course. This has now become a standard feature that should generally be included in all types of German courses. Furthermore, the AI language tutor in particular is a sign that the online German course is modern, varied in its structure and constantly being developed.

Remember: a good online German course should give you access to an online learning portal and, ideally, an AI language tutor, so that you can learn independently outside of the course itself.

If you wish to take an online German course, you can generally choose between three types of provider:

• a private language school
• an adult education centre (Volkshochschule)
• a Goethe-Institut

These types of provider differ mainly in terms of flexibility, group size and prices: