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.

Snowy view: A view of the town in winter.


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

Read more...

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

Read more...

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

Read more...


 

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.

Compare the options

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: 

Back in Ireland!!

6 Apr 2012 - 6:34pm

Hello from Ireland!!! So its hard to believe its been almost TWO WHOLE WEEKS since I have been in Germany!! It really feels like only yesterday that I was having the time of my life on my exchange to a secondary school in Germnay. I can honestly say that I had the best experience on my exchange and if I could go back in the morning for another eight weeks I would!

St.Patricks Day In Deutschland!!! :D

17 Mar 2012 - 7:47pm

Hallo :)

Ich bin hier in Deutschland für St. Patricks Day!! :D Naturlich ist es ein bisschen komisch aber trage ich grün und meine Gast Familie auch!! Sure I have to celebrate it someway :D We even watched a small bit of the Dublin Parade on the internet. :D Später gehe ich in die Stadt mit meine Gast Schwester Lara und meine neue Freunden to celebrate St.Patricks Day, I even told them all "Du musst grün tragen!!" :P

Wow Deutschland!!

19 Feb 2012 - 1:11pm

Meine Klasse in Deutschland!!: This is the class that I will b in for the next two months!!!! Alles die Schlurin in meine neue Klasse sind sehr nett!!!Tag!! Well I can now officially say that I am definately settled into life in Deutschland!! Am Montag ist es meine vierten Woche in Schule. Manchmal Schule ist ein bisschen schwer aber Jeden Tag, Ich verstande mehr. Hoffentlich, am ende die zwei Monate, Ich verstande alles!!

Meine Erste Woche in Deutschland!

3 Feb 2012 - 12:43am

Wow what a week!!! I can't believe I'm saying this but at last I am in Germany und Ich liebe Deutschland!! I can hardly believe that one week has already passed. It has gone by so quickly and I have loved every minute.

Just before I go!!

22 Jan 2012 - 7:56pm

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 - 7:26pm

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.

October in Germany! Oktober in Deutschland :D

19 Oct 2011 - 9:57am

Hey! Sorry it's so long since my last blog. I've been quite busy doing many different things. The first weekend in October was a long weekend, as Monday was a National Holiday (Tag des Deutsche Einheit/German Unity Day). On the Saturday we went to Bremen. On the train we met an Irish band called "Spellbound". It was the first time in 5 weeks that I got to speak English face to face with somebody. Surprisingly, I found it extremely difficult, as German words kept coming to mind. When we arrived in Bremen, we went to the "Universum" there.

1 month in Germany <3

21 Sep 2011 - 4:14pm

Brid&amp;#039;s first month in Germany: Brid made many new friends in Germany on her 2 month exchange programme. Here she is with friends sampling the typical teenage treat of German chocolate. Brid sticking her tongue out!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 - 3:24pm

Grüße aus Deutschland! (Greetings from Germany)

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

19 Aug 2011 - 10:49pm

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.