German course in Cologne

[darrylyoung 3]

Hey everyone!

 

I've decided that I would like to do a proper German course in Cologne before I start looking for work and possibly relocating. Originally I was considering any type of [low paid] job just to get out there but with my degree in Multimedia Computing and 3 years experience as a Web Developer as part of the E-Learning Development Team at a College I think it would make more sense to spend some good time learning to speak German properly then actually looking for a proper job in my field (as opposed to bar work etc). How is Cologne for IT related jobs for English people?

 

I looked at doing a German course here in England but I figured it would be beneficial to learn in Germany. Plus, my girlfriend lives in Cologne so I wouldn't need to find accommodation luckily, I just want to find a good German course. Can anyone recommend any and/or offer me any advice. Currently I'm learning myself using a book and I can speak/understand basic things but I'd like to do this properly.

 

Thanks in advance :)

[Conquistador 11,153]

The Volkshochschule is your best bet.

[bluebell16 972]

I took a number of classes at the VHS in Cologne and was impressed overall. The ladies working in the office even smile sometimes, too, which is a bonus.

[darrylyoung 3]

Thanks for the replies up to now, I'll have a look into the VHS :)

[Jonstoph 11]

As you get your German skills more honed (maybe after a beginning course at a the VHS), also look into a German language prep-class at the Uni Köln. Not sure how it works specifically in Köln, but I took classes at Düsseldorf's Heinrich Heine Uni (30 minutes by train from Cologne) and there I didn't have to be an enrolled student to participate -- I just had to show them records of my previous higher education, and that I could function at a level alongside international prospective students. You usually have to take a placement test/interview.

 

The levels at university prep courses are quite advanced -- normally they start at B1/2 (intermediate) and continue all the way to C1/2 (at which point your German would be pretty much fluent, and certainly good enough for work/graduate school). The university websites all have the information about these courses on their pages for international students. Cost depends on the individual university, but it normally ranges 400-600 euros for several hundred class hours (and taught by actual German professors, or MA-level German linguists). If you already know the language somewhat and want to be able to speak at a more professional/academic level, the German programs at the universities are something I'd highly recommend.

[darrylyoung 3]

Thank you very much for that reply Jonstoph, I'm planning on doing a beginner course at the VHS but I'll definitely look into the Uni course too. My girlfriend is studying at the Köln University and she's looking into it too. Thanks again :)

[dayleyc 0]

Hi, I would like to do Fremdsprachenforum private courses. It offers 25 hours of one to one course for 625 euros which looks much better than even some online-courses. Anyone who knows about Fremdsprachenforum? Suggestions?

[MinnieP 0]

My partner and I are taking A1.1 beginner course at Tandem Language School. Pretty decent. Class size of about 7-8 people. 

 

It's probably not as established as some of the mentioned institutes but I like the cozy atmosphere. We take classes twice a week in the evening as we both work fulltime. I know they have a more intensive program during the day.