about German language certificates TestDaF, Goethe, telc German

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German language certificates - which one is for you?

You will get a GLS certificate after having finished your course at the GLS German language school in Berlin. Our certificate documents your level of German on the European Framework scale A1 - C2 and is free of charge, unlike telc, TestDaF or Goethe certificates. Many employers in Berlin accept a GLS certificate, but it has no worldwide recognition. If you want that, we recommend an official German language certificate like telc or TestDaF.

telc German A2

 helpful if you want to get a residence permit for Germany 

telc German B1

for some university studies in music or art or if you want to apply for German citizenship 

telc German B2 / Goethe B2

both accepted by most employers in Germany, prerequisite for Studienkolleg

telc C1 Hochschule / TestDaF - for university studies

both for admission to universities in Germany. TestDaF and telc C1 Hochschule are equivalent (In 2016 the certificate telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule was officially recognized as proof of language skills for admission to German universities by the members of the German Rectors' and Cultural Ministers’ Conference) 

Goethe C1

accepted by basicly all employers 

Goethe C2

for teachers of German and for university studies in Germany - more - prep courses & exams

Goethe or telc? Which German exam should I take?

Are you wondering which German exam to take? What the differences are? To make it short: there are no significant differences. The testing formats are very similar, and both - Goethe and "telc" - are recognized certificates. Just take the exam that suits you better in terms of time and price (telc exams tend to be cheaper than Goethe exams).

Goethe exams can be taken only at a Goethe Institute, telc exams at test centers worldwide. GLS is a telc test center in Berlin. Test results are available after four to six weeks, telc certificates are valid for an unlimited period: see our testing dates in Berlin . 

Some background info: telc is an official testing body headquarted in Frankfurt; the letters "telc" stand for The European Language Certificates. telc tests 10 languages, the Goethe Institue only German.