Enroll now in our 2026 Winter term - it starts the week of January 20!
- Multiple levels
- Small class size – max. 12 students
- Native-speaking & experienced instructors
- Affordable tuition – $400 per level
- 4 terms per year – each 10 weeks long
- Convenient downtown location or online
Learn German and study at ILI in Washington, DC, or Online.
Study German with the German Language Program at ILI consisting of four 10-week terms throughout the year. We offer 8 different levels from beginner to advanced. Classes take place once a week in the evenings. Our teachers are all native-speaking and experienced. The German Language Program integrates speaking, listening, reading, and writing. We maintain small class sizes to enable adequate time for conversation in every class. To find your level, please refer to the level description or use our self-evaluation guide. If you have further questions, please call Jane Edwards, ILI’s Foreign Language Coordinator, at 202-686-5610 extension 105. Enroll now!
Live, Instructor-led In-Person or Online German Classes
Learn German in person or online from a live instructor using Zoom. All online classes are instructor-led, in real-time, allowing for the same live interaction as our in-person classes. Some of our classes are a combination of in-person and online students. We have 360-degree cameras in the rooms enabling online participants to feel part of the class. This hybrid class environment allows students to engage with each other and the instructor and to practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking the German Language.
Schedule Register Now!
Enroll now in our 2026 Winter term - it starts the week of January 20!
| 2025 Term: | Session Dates: | Registration Deadline: |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Sep. 22-Dec. 6, 2025 | Monday, Sep. 8, 2025 |
| 2026 Term: | Session Dates: | Registration Deadline: |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Jan. 20-Mar. 30, 2026 | Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 |
| Spring | Apr. 20-Jun. 27, 2026 | Monday, Apr. 6, 2026 |
| Summer | Jul. 13-Sep. 19, 2026 | Monday, Jun. 29, 2026 |
| Fall | Oct. 5-Dec. 12, 2026 | Monday, Sep. 21, 2026 |
German Level Description
Offered on: Wednesdays: 6:15-8:45 pm. Enroll now!
The emphasis of this beginner class is on pronunciation, vocabulary building, basic grammar, and basic conversation. This course is for those students with little or no ability in the language. Introduction to basic listening, reading, speaking and writing skills will be addressed throughout the course. Dialogues, readings, and cultural notes included are depicted in what life is like in Germany today. Previous German not required.
Objective: To introduce German to students who never took the language at school or had German in their lives at all. This course aims to provide beginning students with a practical basic command of the language.
Learning Outcome: At the end of this course, students will be able to engage in basic conversations about most common everyday situations and write simple notes and phrases. Upon completion of this course, students should be able to conduct basic conversations and write simple paragraphs about everyday topics.
Topics: Introducing self and others, professions, at the office, hobbies, sights/ museums in the city, at the hotel reception, food/breakfast and telling time.
Textbook: Begegnungen A1+ by Anne Buscha & Szilvia Szita, $56 including tax.
Lesson: Chapters 1-3
The emphasis of this beginner class is on pronunciation, vocabulary building, basic grammar, and basic conversation. This course is for those students with little or no ability in the language. Introduction to basic listening, reading, speaking and writing skills will be addressed throughout the course. Dialogues, readings, and cultural notes included are depicted in what life is like in Germany today. Previous German not required.
Objective: To introduce German to students who never took the language at school or had German in their lives at all. This course aims to provide beginning students with a practical basic command of the language.
Learning Outcome: At the end of this course, students will be able to engage in basic conversations about most common everyday situations and write simple notes and phrases. Upon completion of this course, students should be able to conduct basic conversations and write simple paragraphs about everyday topics.
Topics: Introducing self and others, professions, at the office, hobbies, sights/ museums in the city, at the hotel reception, food/breakfast and telling time.
Textbook: Begegnungen A1+ by Anne Buscha & Szilvia Szita, $56 including tax.
Lesson: Chapters 1-3
Offered on: Thursdays: 6:15-8:45 pm. Enroll now!
This course is the continuation of the Basic 1 level and for students who have taken formal instruction a while ago, or have previous informal exposure to the language. Building on the introductory level, students will learn to conduct simple conversations on a range of everyday subjects. Listening, reading, speaking and writing skills will be addressed throughout the course.
Objective: Building upon the foundation of the previous level, students will continue to build on their vocabulary, grammar, and listening skills. Students will acquire additional vocabulary with which to discuss a range of topics including daily routine, food, and traveling.
Learning Outcome: Upon completing this level, students will be able to converse comfortably on most everyday routine situations speaking in the present and past tenses. They will be able to say or express their ideas, sentences and desires easily at a basic beginner's level. They will learn enough vocabulary to continue with German Basic 3.
Topics: General Topics: food and drinks, shopping, a day in the office, times and durations, weather and seasons. Grammar Topics: the past tenses, the accusative case, modal verbs, separable verbs, personal pronouns, local prepositions and directions
Textbook: Begegnungen A1+ by Anne Buscha & Szilvia Szita, $56 including tax.
Lesson: Chapters 4-6
This course is the continuation of the Basic 1 level and for students who have taken formal instruction a while ago, or have previous informal exposure to the language. Building on the introductory level, students will learn to conduct simple conversations on a range of everyday subjects. Listening, reading, speaking and writing skills will be addressed throughout the course.
Objective: Building upon the foundation of the previous level, students will continue to build on their vocabulary, grammar, and listening skills. Students will acquire additional vocabulary with which to discuss a range of topics including daily routine, food, and traveling.
Learning Outcome: Upon completing this level, students will be able to converse comfortably on most everyday routine situations speaking in the present and past tenses. They will be able to say or express their ideas, sentences and desires easily at a basic beginner's level. They will learn enough vocabulary to continue with German Basic 3.
Topics: General Topics: food and drinks, shopping, a day in the office, times and durations, weather and seasons. Grammar Topics: the past tenses, the accusative case, modal verbs, separable verbs, personal pronouns, local prepositions and directions
Textbook: Begegnungen A1+ by Anne Buscha & Szilvia Szita, $56 including tax.
Lesson: Chapters 4-6
Offered on: Tuesdays: 6:15-8:45 pm. Enroll now!
This course is the continuation of our Basic 2 level and is for students who have taken formal instruction a while ago and/or have previous informal exposure to the language. Building on the foundation provided at the introductory level, students will learn to introduce themselves and conduct simple conversations on a range of everyday subjects. Listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills will be addressed throughout the course.
Objective: Building upon the foundation of the previous level, students will continue to build on their vocabulary, grammar, and listening skills. Students will acquire additional vocabulary with which to discuss a range of topics, including, for example, living arrangements and health.
Learning Outcome: Upon completing this level, students will be able to converse, in the present and past tense, about most everyday routine situations. They will be able to express their ideas, sentences, and desires easily at a basic, beginner’s level. They will learn enough vocabulary to continue to German Intermediate 1.
Topics: Students will learn to converse about residences, celebrations and parties, the doctor’s office, and the news.
Textbook: Begegnungen A1+ by Anne Buscha & Szilvia Szita, $56 including tax.
Lesson: Chapters 7-8
This course is the continuation of our Basic 2 level and is for students who have taken formal instruction a while ago and/or have previous informal exposure to the language. Building on the foundation provided at the introductory level, students will learn to introduce themselves and conduct simple conversations on a range of everyday subjects. Listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills will be addressed throughout the course.
Objective: Building upon the foundation of the previous level, students will continue to build on their vocabulary, grammar, and listening skills. Students will acquire additional vocabulary with which to discuss a range of topics, including, for example, living arrangements and health.
Learning Outcome: Upon completing this level, students will be able to converse, in the present and past tense, about most everyday routine situations. They will be able to express their ideas, sentences, and desires easily at a basic, beginner’s level. They will learn enough vocabulary to continue to German Intermediate 1.
Topics: Students will learn to converse about residences, celebrations and parties, the doctor’s office, and the news.
Textbook: Begegnungen A1+ by Anne Buscha & Szilvia Szita, $56 including tax.
Lesson: Chapters 7-8
Offered on: Mondays: 6:15-8:45 pm. Enroll now!
This low intermediate level course presupposes a basic knowledge of German. This class is ideal for those who studied German a long time ago and need a refresher, and those who have studied basic grammar but don't feel as though they can adequately use it in conversation. Also, this course is ideal for those who grew up in German-speaking families but never took a formal German course. Listening, reading, speaking and writing skills, vocabulary, and grammar are integral components the course.
Objective: To introduce students to a variety of strategies for learning German at home or at the office and to practice at the institute. This program will focus on the development of all four language skills, listening, speaking, reading, and writing; together with a fifth skill, culture, which is an integral part of this program.
Learning Outcome: Students will be comfortable having a conversation based on daily events and expressing their ideas in writing. Students will be familiar with appropriate vocabulary and will know the necessary grammatical structures to briefly discuss themselves, their hobbies, and their daily routines.
Topics: Students will review and expand their knowledge of verb conjugations, possessive pronouns, past tenses of regular and irregular verbs, conjunctions, prefix verbs, reflexive pronouns, the genitive case, modal verbs, accusative prepositions, dative prepositions, comparative and superlative adjectives, the subjunctive mood, sentence structures, and causal and conditional sentences.
Textbook: Begegnungen A2+ by Anne Buscha & Szilvia Szita, $56 including tax.
Lesson: Chapters 1-3
This low intermediate level course presupposes a basic knowledge of German. This class is ideal for those who studied German a long time ago and need a refresher, and those who have studied basic grammar but don't feel as though they can adequately use it in conversation. Also, this course is ideal for those who grew up in German-speaking families but never took a formal German course. Listening, reading, speaking and writing skills, vocabulary, and grammar are integral components the course.
Objective: To introduce students to a variety of strategies for learning German at home or at the office and to practice at the institute. This program will focus on the development of all four language skills, listening, speaking, reading, and writing; together with a fifth skill, culture, which is an integral part of this program.
Learning Outcome: Students will be comfortable having a conversation based on daily events and expressing their ideas in writing. Students will be familiar with appropriate vocabulary and will know the necessary grammatical structures to briefly discuss themselves, their hobbies, and their daily routines.
Topics: Students will review and expand their knowledge of verb conjugations, possessive pronouns, past tenses of regular and irregular verbs, conjunctions, prefix verbs, reflexive pronouns, the genitive case, modal verbs, accusative prepositions, dative prepositions, comparative and superlative adjectives, the subjunctive mood, sentence structures, and causal and conditional sentences.
Textbook: Begegnungen A2+ by Anne Buscha & Szilvia Szita, $56 including tax.
Lesson: Chapters 1-3
Offered on: Mondays (Fall 2025) otherwise Tuesdays: 6:15-8:45 pm. Enroll now!
This course is for the student who is at a mid-intermediate level and looking for stronger reading comprehension and writing skills. Students at this level need to have a solid foundation of the language, and are looking to expand their knowledge of the more complex forms of German. Listening, reading, speaking and writing skills will be addressed throughout the course.
Objective: To become much more comfortable understanding and using the proper verb tenses as they relate to moods while speaking German. This program will continue to focus on the development of all four language skills, listening, speaking, reading, and writing; together with a fifth skill, culture, which is an integral part of this program.
Learning Outcome: Students will be able to comfortably explain past events in both past tenses during routine conversations and plan activities in future tenses. Students will be able to converse about their professional life, their personal life, travel, and the weather.
Topics: Students will learn about formal address, the subjunctive mood, verbs with prepositions, indirect questions, accusative and dative pronouns, subordinate clauses, adjective declensions, relative clauses, comparative and superlative adjectives, and accusative-dative prepositions and verbs.
Textbook: Begegnungen A2+ by Anne Buscha & Szilvia Szita, $56 including tax.
Lesson: Chapters 4-6
This course is for the student who is at a mid-intermediate level and looking for stronger reading comprehension and writing skills. Students at this level need to have a solid foundation of the language, and are looking to expand their knowledge of the more complex forms of German. Listening, reading, speaking and writing skills will be addressed throughout the course.
Objective: To become much more comfortable understanding and using the proper verb tenses as they relate to moods while speaking German. This program will continue to focus on the development of all four language skills, listening, speaking, reading, and writing; together with a fifth skill, culture, which is an integral part of this program.
Learning Outcome: Students will be able to comfortably explain past events in both past tenses during routine conversations and plan activities in future tenses. Students will be able to converse about their professional life, their personal life, travel, and the weather.
Topics: Students will learn about formal address, the subjunctive mood, verbs with prepositions, indirect questions, accusative and dative pronouns, subordinate clauses, adjective declensions, relative clauses, comparative and superlative adjectives, and accusative-dative prepositions and verbs.
Textbook: Begegnungen A2+ by Anne Buscha & Szilvia Szita, $56 including tax.
Lesson: Chapters 4-6
Offered on: Thursdays: 6:15-8:45 pm. Enroll now!
This is the final conversational review grammar-based course. This course is for students who are at a high intermediate level and don’t feel ready for the more advanced levels. Students at this level are able to handle everyday conversations with ease but are eager to expand their cultural and idiomatic knowledge of German, as well as wrap-up their learning of advanced grammar. Listening, reading, speaking and writing skills will be addressed throughout the course.
Objective: This level will cover all the grammatical structures needed to send the learner into real-life situations speaking German and to get them ready for the more advanced courses. By the end of the course, students will have full command of the language’s most important verb tenses. This program will continue to focus on the development of all four language skills, listening, speaking, reading, and writing, together with a fifth skill, culture, which is an integral part of this program.br />
Learning Outcome: Learners will be able to converse about topics like dieting, purchasing a home, and interior design. Furthermore, they will be equipped to read the news and discuss modern issues like environmental changes and politics.
Topics: Students will learn about present and past tenses, the subjunctive mood, numbers/statistics, infinitives, accusative/dative prepositions, time adverbs, logical conjunctions, verbs with prefixes and prepositions, passive sentences, compound words, and imperative mood.
Textbook: Begegnungen A2+ by Anne Buscha & Szilvia Szita, $56 including tax.
Lesson: Chapters 7-8
This is the final conversational review grammar-based course. This course is for students who are at a high intermediate level and don’t feel ready for the more advanced levels. Students at this level are able to handle everyday conversations with ease but are eager to expand their cultural and idiomatic knowledge of German, as well as wrap-up their learning of advanced grammar. Listening, reading, speaking and writing skills will be addressed throughout the course.
Objective: This level will cover all the grammatical structures needed to send the learner into real-life situations speaking German and to get them ready for the more advanced courses. By the end of the course, students will have full command of the language’s most important verb tenses. This program will continue to focus on the development of all four language skills, listening, speaking, reading, and writing, together with a fifth skill, culture, which is an integral part of this program.br />
Learning Outcome: Learners will be able to converse about topics like dieting, purchasing a home, and interior design. Furthermore, they will be equipped to read the news and discuss modern issues like environmental changes and politics.
Topics: Students will learn about present and past tenses, the subjunctive mood, numbers/statistics, infinitives, accusative/dative prepositions, time adverbs, logical conjunctions, verbs with prefixes and prepositions, passive sentences, compound words, and imperative mood.
Textbook: Begegnungen A2+ by Anne Buscha & Szilvia Szita, $56 including tax.
Lesson: Chapters 7-8
Offered on: Mondays: 6:15-8:45 pm. Enroll now!
This level is to gain an advanced command of German. There will be a review of previous material covered in the Intermediate 3 level, but the focus of this class will be on advanced topics: complex grammar, such as the present perfect conjugated with "haben" and "sein," the present perfect of separable and modal verbs, the passive voice, and more sophisticated vocabulary and themes in the German-speaking world.
Objective: This level will cover vocabulary and structures which will allow the learner to become autonomous when fulfilling functions such as shopping, dining out or describing one’s professional life or studies. While the content of this level will continue to enrich the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, learners will also have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of idiomatic speech and the culture and etiquette of Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Learning Outcome: Students will be able to have conversations with native speakers about different subjects using correct grammar and appropriate vocabulary when conversing or expressing specific points of view. Learners will also be able to make purchases with an understanding of local practices. They will be able to express themselves accurately in a variety of different social and professional situations and will be acquainted with local customs such as appropriate etiquette.
Topics: Students will function with ease when talking about their profession and education, time and time planning, dealing with consumption and advertising, understanding and interpretation of the media (news, talk shows, professional articles), their opinion, making comparisons, and using figurative speech. They also will have the opportunity to become familiar with different aspects of Germanic culture and customs.
Textbook: Begegnungen B1+ by Anne Buscha and Szilvia Szita, $56 including tax.
Lesson: Chapters 1-4
This level is to gain an advanced command of German. There will be a review of previous material covered in the Intermediate 3 level, but the focus of this class will be on advanced topics: complex grammar, such as the present perfect conjugated with "haben" and "sein," the present perfect of separable and modal verbs, the passive voice, and more sophisticated vocabulary and themes in the German-speaking world.
Objective: This level will cover vocabulary and structures which will allow the learner to become autonomous when fulfilling functions such as shopping, dining out or describing one’s professional life or studies. While the content of this level will continue to enrich the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, learners will also have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of idiomatic speech and the culture and etiquette of Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Learning Outcome: Students will be able to have conversations with native speakers about different subjects using correct grammar and appropriate vocabulary when conversing or expressing specific points of view. Learners will also be able to make purchases with an understanding of local practices. They will be able to express themselves accurately in a variety of different social and professional situations and will be acquainted with local customs such as appropriate etiquette.
Topics: Students will function with ease when talking about their profession and education, time and time planning, dealing with consumption and advertising, understanding and interpretation of the media (news, talk shows, professional articles), their opinion, making comparisons, and using figurative speech. They also will have the opportunity to become familiar with different aspects of Germanic culture and customs.
Textbook: Begegnungen B1+ by Anne Buscha and Szilvia Szita, $56 including tax.
Lesson: Chapters 1-4
Offered on: Wednesdays: 6:15-8:45 pm. Enroll now!
This level is to gain an advanced command of German. There will be a review of previous material covered in the Pre-Advanced level
Objective: The objective is to bring the speaking, listening, reading and writing skills up to the level where the students understand and control the most complex grammar and syntax. The students will focus on clarity and precision while using the language. A wealth of new and more complex vocabulary and idiomatic expressions will be introduced together with exposure to more cultural/social topics.
Learning Outcome: Students will be able to converse on a variety of topics using accurate grammar and syntax. They will understand and express not only the straightforward but also opinion, common idiomatic expressions and point of view. Learners will become accustomed to using this vocabulary and grammar and syntax with ease. They will understand and be able to use more nuanced expression, and opinions.
Topics:The class will cover more complex articles and audio such as opinion pieces and editorials on topics such as history, politics, government, business, economics, international relations, foreign affairs, society, culture, science, and technology. They will also read poems and have an introduction to literature.
Textbook: Begegnungen B1+ by Anne Buscha and Szilvia Szita, $56 including tax.
Lesson: Chapters TBA
This level is to gain an advanced command of German. There will be a review of previous material covered in the Pre-Advanced level
Objective: The objective is to bring the speaking, listening, reading and writing skills up to the level where the students understand and control the most complex grammar and syntax. The students will focus on clarity and precision while using the language. A wealth of new and more complex vocabulary and idiomatic expressions will be introduced together with exposure to more cultural/social topics.
Learning Outcome: Students will be able to converse on a variety of topics using accurate grammar and syntax. They will understand and express not only the straightforward but also opinion, common idiomatic expressions and point of view. Learners will become accustomed to using this vocabulary and grammar and syntax with ease. They will understand and be able to use more nuanced expression, and opinions.
Topics:The class will cover more complex articles and audio such as opinion pieces and editorials on topics such as history, politics, government, business, economics, international relations, foreign affairs, society, culture, science, and technology. They will also read poems and have an introduction to literature.
Textbook: Begegnungen B1+ by Anne Buscha and Szilvia Szita, $56 including tax.
Lesson: Chapters TBA
Program Details
$400 for a 10-week one level class per student. Au-Pairs can receive a 10% discount on tuition with proof of their status. Enroll now!
May be purchased at the time of registration or at the Institute before or on the first day of class. Textbooks for remote students can only be shipped to U.S. addresses (not internationally). All prices quoted include a 6% DC sales tax and all prices are subject to change at any time. Tax-exempt organizations or individuals need to provide proof of sales tax exemption before being charged. No retroactive refunds of sales tax. Once received by the student, books and other materials are the property of the student and are non-refundable.
Regarding placement, we recommend that you go to our self-evaluation guide on our website. Kindly read through each description of each level. If you feel that you are able to fulfill all the tasks described in one level, then move on to the next level and so on, until you reach a description of tasks that you are unable to fulfill. That would correspond to the level of classes in which you should enroll. If, once enrolled, you should not feel comfortable at that level, you can transfer to another level, availability permitting. We do not offer placement tests.
Regular group classes meet once weekly in the evening (6:15-8:45 pm ET) or on Saturday mornings (10 am-12:30 pm ET) for 10 weeks. Each session is 2.5 hours. All class times are U.S. Eastern Time (Standard or Daylight Saving). Classes cancelled due to holidays, instructors’ sickness, or other unforeseen circumstances are made up at the end of the regular term unless the entire class can arrange for a make-up on another day of the week.
In-person at ILI and online via Zoom. Our classes are usually held in person at Rhode Island Ave NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20036. Classes are also offered online via Zoom. We are within walking distance from the Metro's Dupont Circle (South exit) and Farragut North stations. Parking garages are close by and parking on the street is available after 6:30 pm.
Minimum 3, maximum 12 students. We recommend signing up as early as possible so we can adequately plan for all classes. If the minimum enrollment of at least 3 students per class is not met, we will have to cancel that class after the registration deadline has passed. In case of a cancellation, students will be given the opportunity to change classes, postpone their enrollment or request a full refund.
Our program requires each student to participate in weekly quizzes, which will be graded, based on a “Pass” or “Fail” system. There will be a final quiz that will measure the sum of the instructional objectives for the course. Grades are verbally communicated to students at the end of each class/course, and are marked on the attendance/performance sheet. Students must have completed and passed at least 70% of the quizzes to move to the next level.
It is important for students to attend every class meeting. It is also important that they arrive on time for class. We cover a lot of material in each class. The instructor cannot repeat material for students who are absent or come late. Students will be marked absent when they do not come to class. Missed group classes may only be made up if the same level is being offered on another day and the class is not at full capacity. Students who arrive 15 minutes after the advertised starting time will be marked late. For every 3 times that the student is marked as late, it will count as a missed hour. If we notice that a student’s attendance is in danger of falling below 70%, we will issue an attendance report to the student.
Per request, we can issue certificates of completion after the term has ended. The certificate can be ordered at the front desk or vial email to ili@ilidc.com. In order to be eligible to receive a certificate or pass to the next level, you are required to attend a minimum of 70% of the classes and have a “Passing” grade. We will need a couple of days in order to verify your attendance and passing grade before issuing the certificate.
ILI’s foreign language group programs are accredited by ACCET (Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training), and we also offer 2.5 Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) per every successfully completed course, 5.0 for the accelerated courses. Upon request, our Certificates of Completion can include the CEU’s earned per semester.
No refunds are issued for any reason after the registration deadline for the term (see Schedule above). Classes cancelled due to holidays, instructors’ sickness, or other unforeseen circumstances are made up at the end of the regular term unless the entire class can arrange for a make-up on another day of the week. Individually missed group classes may only be made up if the same level is being offered on another day and the class is not at full capacity. Otherwise there is no make-up for individually missed classes.
The International Language Institute reserves the right to cancel any class if deemed necessary. Prior to commencement of class, students will be given a full refund. In the event of cancellation after the commencement of class, the pro-rata portion of the unexpended tuition will be refunded. The prorated amount of refundable monies will be determined by the ratio of classes completed to the total number of classes in the scheduled program. The International Language Institute reserves the right to assign substitute instructors whenever necessary.
Classes are cancelled in accordance with federal government closures for the entire day due to inclement weather. Please check public announcements on radio, TV and the internet; or call ILI at (202) 362-2505. Closures are also posted on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ILIinDC. We rarely follow early dismissals. ILI is closed for the following holidays: Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day. Group classes will not meet on these holidays and the missed class(es) will be made up at the end of the term.
Please contact our Foreign Language Coordinator, Jane Edwards, at (202) 686-5610 ext. 105 or at jedwards@ilidc.com.