About IBZ Dortmund
Why IBZ Dortmund?
Qualified and motivated teachers with many years of teaching experience as well as up-to-date materials and methods ensure effective and comprehensive learning. We also support and advise our students on questions of everyday organisation (authorities, applications, insurance, public transport, etc.) and individual educational planning (Studienkolleg, university, university of applied sciences, academy). And of course, the fun of learning German should not be neglected – true to our motto: Success through fun!
What does IBZ Dortmund offer me with its German courses?
Do you want to learn German or improve your German skills? Or do you want to get ready for studying and living in Germany? Then you have come to the right place. With its German courses, IBZ Dortmund offers goal-oriented learning and effective language training in German as a foreign language. Thanks to high-quality lessons and professional teaching staff, you will be optimally prepared for studying and living in Germany across five levels (A1 to C1).
Where is IBZ Dortmund located and what makes the city of Dortmund special?
Our school is located in Dortmund city centre, right next to the main railway station. Dortmund is known as “The Heart of Westphalia” and, with around 600,000 inhabitants, is the largest city in the Ruhr area and the eighth-largest city in Germany. Dortmund is the economic, cultural and commercial centre of Westphalia. In addition, six universities with around 40,000 students give it great importance as a location for technology and science. Dortmund is known far beyond the region for its sporting flagship, the football club Borussia Dortmund and its home ground, the Signal Iduna Park. Other attractions and landmarks of the city include the Dortmunder U, the Westenhellweg, St. Reinold’s Church, the Westfalenhallen and the German Football Museum (DFB-Fußballmuseum), opened in October 2015 opposite Dortmund main station.
Courses and lessons
Which courses does IBZ Dortmund offer?
IBZ Dortmund offers both face-to-face courses and online courses in German as a foreign language at levels A1, A2, B1, B2 and C1, based on the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”.
What does a German course at IBZ Dortmund include?
We offer:
- 200 lessons per course
- 5 lessons (45 minutes each) per day (Monday to Friday)
- different levels from A1 to C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
- final exam with certificate possible
- training of the skills listening, speaking, reading and writing at university level
- orientation towards the requirements of Zertifikat Deutsch, ÖSD and the DSH format
How long does a German course take?
The course takes place daily from Monday to Friday and lasts approx. 9 weeks.
Who will be my teacher?
Our teachers are university-trained, friendly and warm-hearted, native German speakers or university-trained teachers at native-speaker level.
Please note: your follow-up course is not always taught by the same teacher (e.g. due to holidays, illness or other projects). That is why we know at the earliest one week, sometimes only 3 days before the course starts, which teacher will teach your course. However, we take great care that the new teacher suits your previous course and teacher so that you continue to have a very good experience!
Do the teachers also speak other languages in class?
Lessons are held in German only, but don’t worry – our teachers speak slowly and use pictures and games so that you can follow the lessons.
Online and hybrid courses
What is a hybrid course?
Hybrid course = face-to-face and online participants in one course: you can attend the course on site at IBZ or from home. Extended technical possibilities allow additional online participants to join a face-to-face course. The dynamics of a real course are preserved, which especially benefits the participants joining online. We offer this kind of hybrid participation in a few selected courses. The online participants of a hybrid course use a virtual classroom (ZOOM platform). All you need is a PC with a browser and internet connection, a headset and a webcam. In the classroom we use special audio and video technology. It ensures that communication between everyone involved is pleasant and works smoothly. The online participants see the teacher, the material presented by the teacher and also a video image of the classroom. They hear the teacher and the face-to-face participants and are also included in the course virtually: their sound and image are transmitted via video and loudspeaker. This way, everyone can communicate with everyone easily – just as if everyone were physically present in the room.
I have registered for the course as a face-to-face participant, but for personal reasons I cannot attend in person. Can I take part in the course online on those days?
Yes, we try to give our students as much flexibility as possible in this respect. Students who have registered for the face-to-face course can also attend the course online.
I live abroad / in another city. Can I take part in your online German course?
Our live online German courses take place via Zoom. You can take part in these courses from anywhere in the world and only need a stable internet connection and a laptop.
Placement, registration and reservation
I would like to take a German course, but I don’t know exactly which level is right for me.
That’s no problem. If you already have some prior knowledge, we will do a short placement test with you before recommending a course level. This way you can be sure that the course matches your knowledge.
Why do I have to take a placement test?
The placement test is free of charge, non-binding and helps us find the perfect course for you. This way we can guarantee that you achieve the greatest learning success.
I have obtained a certificate for a certain level. Do I still have to take the placement test?
Feel free to send us your certificate by e-mail and we will be happy to check when you completed it. The placement test is free of charge and non-binding and helps us find the perfect course for you. This way we can guarantee that you achieve the greatest learning success.
I have registered / signed up / made a reservation online. What happens now?
We will contact you as soon as possible and let you know the next steps. No further action is required on your part.
What does a course reservation mean?
We reserve a place for you until a fixed date. Until this date, you can pay for your German course at any time.
If no payment is received by then, the reservation expires. Another person can then book your place in the limited courses. Your place is no longer guaranteed.
To secure your place, we recommend paying in time by the date stated.
Exams and certificates
Which exams does IBZ Dortmund offer?
As a licensed ÖSD examination centre, IBZ Dortmund regularly offers ÖSD exams from A1 to C2 as well as the German Test for Immigrants (DTZ). You can register online via the IBZ Dortmund website or in person during the specified registration period.
We reserve DSH places for our students at our partner universities.
Can I get the language documents required by universities for enrolment from IBZ Dortmund?
Yes, as a licensed ÖSD examination centre we regularly offer ÖSD exams at our institute.
University studies, admission and visa
Does IBZ Dortmund offer study counselling and support with university admission?
Admission is the most important requirement for studying a subject at a German university. Already when applying for a student or language course visa, it is a great help to have an admission, or at least a confirmation of receipt of the application for admission. The application can be submitted both online and by post.
We are always happy to help with questions about admissions and applications. You can contact us easily or simply visit us.
You can discuss topics such as organisational and technical questions about application procedures, enrolment, study planning, exam regulations, changing your subject, certification of your documents, etc. with us.
This service is free of charge.
I do not have a conditional admission. Can you help me get a conditional admission from German universities?
Yes, we will be happy to help. Please contact us for further information.
I have a conditional admission from a German university. Can you provide the documents required for the visa?
Yes, once payment has been made, we will send you the documents requested by the consulates.
I would like to come to Germany to learn German. Can you provide the documents required for the visa?
Yes, once payment has been made, we will send you the documents requested by the consulates.
Does IBZ Dortmund issue documents for the visa?
If you are still abroad and need to apply for a visa for Germany, we will issue an invitation/confirmation for submission to the German embassy, provided that your payment has been received. We can send you the documents electronically as a PDF.
The requirements for a student or language course visa may differ from country to country. We therefore recommend that you inform yourself carefully on the website of the German embassy before applying.
Arrival and life in Dortmund
Does IBZ Dortmund pick me up from the airport or the station?
On request, we will pick you up from the airport or the main station. This service is not free of charge. The costs depend on the distance from Dortmund city centre.
Pick-up at Dortmund, Düsseldorf or Cologne airport by an IBZ Dortmund staff member.
This service is subject to a fee. Pick-up from Dortmund main station is free of charge.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.
Does IBZ Dortmund help me find a flat, a shared flat or a room?
On request, we will be happy to help you find a flat or a room. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.
Do I need health insurance as a language course participant?
In Germany, every language course participant must have health insurance. If you need help, we will be happy to assist you in choosing health insurance with good value for money. We do not charge a fee for this service.
Can I get a semester ticket or a discounted public transport ticket as a language student?
If the requirements are met (university entrance qualification) and with a confirmation of participation from IBZ Dortmund, our language students can obtain the semester ticket of TU Dortmund. The semester ticket is valid throughout North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), but only for local public transport. We are also happy to advise other participants on discounted local transport tickets (e.g. Youngticket) in the Rhine-Ruhr transport association (VRR). In the Ruhr area you can reach almost any place by public transport, as the Ruhr area has the largest public transport network in Germany.
Can IBZ Dortmund issue a confirmation for DSW or S-Bahn so that I can get a monthly ticket?
Yes, you will receive a confirmation with the registration documents you receive from IBZ Dortmund.
