German language programmes

German is an official language in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Luxembourg. One quarter of Europeans speak German and if you want to be a real player in the 21st century, learning German will give you the edge, improve your employment opportunities and allow you to really get to know one of the great world cultures.

EIL Study Abroad, together with a number of carefully chosen partners in Germany, have put together a range of programmes which are specifically suited to Irish teenagers and adults interested in learning the German language. Suitable for complete beginners to advanced learners preparing for their Leaving Certificate, each programme uses the latest educational techniques in a safe and supportive environment to ensure the best results.

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Snowy view: A view of the town in winter.

Language Courses
Secondary School Abroad
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Blogs/Photos

Language Courses

Lindenberg

Ages: 14-17
Location: southern Germany, near Lake Constance
Arrival airports: Friedrichshafen, Zurich, Munich
Accommodation: Residential youth camp, shared dormitory
Duration: 2 weeks and up
Availability: Year round
Supervision: Full supervision, 24 hours per day

Lindau

Ages: 17 and up
Location: southern Germany, near Lake Constance
Arrival airports: Friedrichshafen, Zurich, Munich
Accommodation: Host family
Duration: 2 weeks and up
Availability: Year round
Supervision: None, this is an adult course

Tübingen

Ages: 16 and up
Location: southwest Germany, near Stuttgart
Arrival airport: Stuttgart
Accommodation: Host family or residential (for students 18 and over), single or shared
Duration: 2 weeks and up
Availability: Year round
Supervision: Limited; this is an adult course
Leaving Certificate Preparation Course available

Secondary School Abroad

SECONDARY SCHOOL IN GERMANY

EIL Study Abroad offers students between 15 and 18 years old the opportunity to attend a German Secondary school while living as a member of a carefully selected German host family. While in Germany, students will be supported by an EIL trained local coordinator who will help with the adjustment process. With full immersion into all aspects of German life, students will learn so much more than just the language. Most popular with Irish Transition Year students, this programme is available from 8 weeks up to a full academic year. Short-term programme dates are flexible and we try to work it around our students' busy schedules. In addition to sharpening language skills and gaining fluency, this programme helps our young students to gain a sense of independence and most students come back having grown and matured from the experience. To ensure full immersion and the quality of the programme, friends and family members will not be placed in the same host community. If you want to experience the typical life of a German teenager and make friends and lasting memories, then this programme is just for you.

Learn more going to school in Germany.

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LANGUAGE COURSES

Short-term programme (usually 2-4 weeks)
Flexible start dates all year round
Accommodation with a host family or in a residence
Study with international students
All levels accepted, including complete beginners
Choice regarding the level of intensity/number of lessons per day
Focus on learning the language
Optional activities and excursions
Learn to be more independent and/or study with a friend
Special Leaving Certificate Preparation courses available
Experience the native culture

SECONDARY SCHOOL ABROAD

Long-term programmes; minimum 8 weeks up to a full academic year
Semi-flexible start dates throughout the school year
Accommodation with a host family
Study with native students
Must have formally studied German for at least 3 years
Standard school day (schedule depends on the country and school)
Experience a different education system
Study a range of subjects through the native language
Learn to be more independent
Improve fluency and exam results
Complete immersion in the native culture

Blogs/Photos

Photos:

Stories:

Just before I go!!

22 Jan 2012 - 6:56pm

Only one more day left and then I will be starting my adventures in Germany!! :D Im so excited, I cant wait! I have all my bags packed and Im ready to go. I still cant believe that I was lucky enough to recieve this scholarship from EIL. Its the trip of a lifetime and Im delighted that EIL have given me this opportunity and for that I would like to sincerely thank them. Zwei Monaten in Deutschland. Klasse!!

Continually thinking in German

27 Nov 2011 - 6:26pm

I'm now back a month after spending two months in Germany as an exchange student. It was an amazing experience and I'd even go as far as saying the best two months of my life!. I had soooooo much fun. I made many friends who I hope to have for a long time (some are planning on visisting me in the summer hols), I got to experience another culture and have grown to love it, I've tried many new things, become more organised and independant and my German has improved immensly.

1 month in Germany <3

21 Sep 2011 - 3:14pm

Guten Tag! :D I find it hard to believe that I'm here 1 month. The time is flying and I'm enjoying every minute of my time here. I've really settled in with my family. I feel right at home to be honest. School is getting better and better by the day.

One week in Germany (eine Woche in Deutschland)

31 Aug 2011 - 2:24pm

Grüße aus Deutschland! (Greetings from Germany)

<3 Germany/Deutschland 2011 <3 Pre-Departure Blog

19 Aug 2011 - 9:49pm

Only 4 more days here in Ireland and then I'm off to Germany for 59 days, where I''ll be living with a German family and attending a German Secondary school (Gymnasium). I actually can't wait. I'm as excited as a small child on Christmas Eve waiting for Santa to come with presents! Wie die Zeit vergeht! Nur noch vier Tage bis Deutschland! Ich kann kaum erwarten und ich bin total aufgeregt. :D Ich werde insgesamt 59 Tage in Deutschland verbringen.

Review of Euro Camp 2009

25 Aug 2009 - 2:30pm

Put simply, Eurocamp is a the name of an initiative funded by the German state of Sachsen-Anhalt that brings young people from around Europe together for three weeks of volunteer work, performance workshops, daily excursions, and friendship. But putting it simply doesn’t do it justice. The easiest way to imagine it is to think of a summer language-camp - a couple of weeks in the Gaeltacht for instance.

Annette's Journal: Photos from Germany

19 Jun 2009 - 4:34pm

Annette's Journal: Arrival home

15 Jun 2009 - 1:04pm

Hey everyone! I came back on Saturday into Dublin airport. It's very strange to be back home, but also good! It's a bit weird not speaking german now. I have improved my german so much, and I have much more confidence now. I have made friends for life in Germany. I will defiently visit Germany again, and my friends are coming over to Ireland next year also. On the flight home I reflected about everything I did in the past 2 months. It has been a trip that I will never forget. I loved the routine I had everyday, and the german way of life.

Annette's Journal from Deutschland!!

9 Jun 2009 - 4:07pm

Hey everyone! I'm here 7 weeks in Germany now and have only 4 days left. I have so much more confidence now than I had before I came. I am much more comfortable with speaking the german language now. I have learned so much here that I couldn't possibly have learned in my 3 years for the Junior Certificate. It's just very different than learning it in a classroom, because you are hearing and speaking german constantly everyday. Also, there are words and phrases I have learned here that I wouldn't have at home!

Deutschland ist wunderbar

3 Jun 2009 - 4:41pm

Hey everyone! I have been here now for over 6 weeks in Germany. Everything is great here. I have done loads since my last blog. Last Saturday I visited a bunker in Ahrweiler that was made when Germany was divided into east and west. It was very interesting. It was never used though. On Sunday I went to Koblenz and went on a tour around a castle. Yesterday I went with my host sister Nina to Königswinter. It was a place where we got a tram up to a small mountain. We got to see some magnificent views of Bonn city and the River Rhine. It was breathtaking.