German Lessons in Berlin

IH Berlin PROLOG:
At IH Berlin PROLOG in the centre of Berlin in eastern Germany we teach German in German because that is the language we want to impart to you. When we founded PROLOG 20 years ago, we wanted to offer a modern alternative to the traditionally language teaching on the market. Our open and inviting atmosphere, the international mix of our students and the cosmopolitan character of Berlin have all combined to impress thousands of language learners from more than 60 countries over the years. We have carefully selected all of our teachers according to their academic and language abilities, as well as the way they relate to their students. The competence and experience of our German teachers is of particular importance: teaching qualifications are important, as is extensive experience teaching German as a foreign language at renowned schools and institutions. Many of our German teachers have already completed our Teacher Training programme.

In 2002 PROLOG was accepted as an affiliate of International House World Organisation. The main aims of this affiliation of over 130 language schools from more than 40 countries around the world is to improve the quality of language teaching through co-operation, exchange and the regular development and training of language teachers.

Methods for learning - The plan
At IH Berlin PROLOG we teach German in German because that is the language we want to impart to you. Whether it's German for your daily life, your university studies, your career, or an upcoming examination.

Our groups have a maximum of ten people. This way we can combine theory and practice in communicative teaching situations, in which both grammatical questions and speaking practice are thoroughly covered. The small group format allows us to give individual attention to everyone in the class.

We design our courses to match the individual levels and personal interests of our students. For each lesson, we mix our own lesson material with standard course books, to build on what you already know, freshen up what you've forgotten, and quickly cover new ground.

Through regular performance monitoring, we always keep an eye on the current ability levels of all our students to make sure that every student is in the best group for them.

We don't separate grammar tuition from conversation practice. Grammar is always taught in connection with useful examples. Instead of boring rote learning, we make sure that new grammar is taught and practiced in authentic, communicative situations. Expanding your vocabulary, oral communication, and learning strategies are also on the menu. Our teaching programme is augmented with specific pronunciation practice.

The four foundation stones of all our courses are: listening comprehension, writing, reading, and speaking. Group discussions, role play, and conversation in the classroom all help to improve your oral communication, vocabulary, and sentence structure. Grammar is not taught in isolation; it is packaged in informative and stirring texts, which also convey important cultural, political, and historical information. A few examples of the topics covered are: relationships, social life, jobs and work, Berlin history, and cultural identity.

The same goes for our German courses: all participants are directly involved. We apply a communicative approach, which means that even beginners will be practicing grammar, dialogues, exercises, reading, watching videos, and using visual aids to promote communication from day one. We consciously create a relaxed, entertaining, and communicative atmosphere in order to enable students to speak German without inhibition.

Two teachers = more variety
Our STANDARD courses are always taught by two teachers. They rotate in the middle of the week. That means you get variety. You get to hear another voice, experience different styles of communication, and work with a variety of themes and topics. Two pairs of eyes and two pairs of ears allow us to get a better picture of how we can best support your learning.

We have carefully selected all of our teachers according to their academic and language abilities, as well as the way they relate to their students. The competence and experience of our German teachers is of particular importance: teaching qualifications are important, as is extensive experience teaching German as a foreign language at renowned schools and institutions. Many of our German teachers have already completed our Teacher Training programme.

The close co-operation and teamwork between our teachers and their extensive knowledge mean that they know exactly which material should be used on which day of the course. Team Teaching offers the positive benefit of communication between our teachers regarding teaching approaches and the most effective ways to address a variety of language problems. Team Teaching offers the best strategy for personalising our offer and tailoring our teaching as much as possible to the individual needs of our students.

An experienced teacher knows that a crucial feature of successful and interesting tuition is that the teacher is always ready to take students' questions and address specific problems. With the topics and themes we choose we also do our best to address the interests of our students.

To help us to improve, you will receive a feedback sheet at the end of your course which gives you the opportunity to make comments about your course and to evaluate your teachers.

- Year round German courses
- Individual or group courses (5 to 10 students) for all levels.
- Standard German
- Intensive German
- Business German
- Combi German
- German Language Exam Preparation

Homestay:
We only arrange accommodation in private guest rooms. You will stay with German hosts and up to one other student from PROLOG. We think it is important that you get as many opportunities to practice your newly-learnt German as possible, and that's why we don't place all of our students together in halls of residence where they could use their native languages. We want to support and encourage your interest in the German language in every way possible!

Alongside the effective language tuition in small groups offered at IH Berlin PROLOG, our extensive social and cultural offers form a further key element of our programme.

Tours, excursions, get-togethers and trips are organised regularly - on at least four occasions per week - to increase our students' appreciation of German culture as they are developing their German language skills.

All events are free, with the exception of possible entrance charges, and students are accompanied by a member of the IH Berlin PROLOG team.