Where to Go for German Language Courses in Johannesburg

The Goethe-Institut brings the German language to the world, offering high-quality German courses and internationally recognised exams in more than 90 countries, including South Africa. Experience interactive and structured German courses trusted worldwide, now more affordable than ever.

The Goethe-Institut has different German language courses for students of various skill levels, offering multi-week courses and one-week exam preparation sessions between July and September 2026.

Goethe-Institut German Language courses image by Thabang Taokobong German language course teacher | What's on in Joburg — Image credit: Thabang Taokobong

Ten reasons why you should learn German

If you aren’t sure which course to choose, apply for a R375 Online Placement Test and get helpful guidance based on your results. Looking for more motivation? Here are ten reasons why you should enroll in a German language course:

1. Make friends

The more languages you speak, the more people you will get to know! A total of 130 million people speak German. This means that German is one of the ten most commonly spoken languages in the world. With this language you will find friends worldwide.

2. Tourism

Each year over 340 000 Germans visit South Africa. So, learning the language opens you up to a world of attractive jobs in the tourism industry.

3. Pursue studies and research in Germany

Germany is a popular country for studying, with their university degrees being of high quality and appreciated by employers all over the world. Another benefit of studying in Germany is that there are no tuition fees for both local and international students.

4. Engage with German music

German is the language of Goethe, Mozart and Beethoven, but also German hip hop, urban pop and German rap. Knowing the German language will help you realise how beautiful German can sound.

Goethe-Institut German Language courses image by Thabang Taokobong three students at a table | What's on in Joburg — Image credit: Thabang Taokobong

5. Pursue a career

Germany is South Africa’s largest and most important trading partner within the EU. In South Africa, 600 German companies are employing more than 90 000 people. Good knowledge of the German language can increase your chances of pursuing a career anywhere in the world.

6. Scholarship opportunities

There are plenty of scholarship opportunities for study courses in Germany.

7. Vocational training in Germany

Those interested in working for a German company or business one day can use their German language skills from the course and benefit from the dual-training system in Germany, which allows you to learn an interesting profession with a practical orientation.

8. Experience Germany

Learning German offers you insight into the life, wishes and dreams of the multicultural people living in German-speaking countries.

9. It’s easier than you think

Contrary to popular belief, German is not as difficult as you think. Many German words are related to English or have migrated into other languages.

10. German is fun

The projects you can do in school or at university with German can be very fun. Every year, the Goethe-Institut offers new projects and competitions where you can win attractive prizes.

Goethe-Institut German Language courses image by Thabang Taokobong a classroom with laptops and headphones | What's on in Joburg — Image credit: Thabang Taokobong

Register for a course now

The minimum age requirement for these courses is 15 years old.

Cost: German Training Exam Preparation – R2700; German Course – R6000. See all courses here. Enjoy 10% to 30% discounts for courses you register for between 15 and 26 June 2026