A women-led family business
GLS was founded in 1983 by Berlin entrepreneur Barbara Jaeschke. Today, she continues to lead the company alongside her daughters Dr. Verena Jaeschke and Dr. Reemda Jaeschke.
Meet the
People behind GLS
GLS Berlin - One of the World's Top Language Schools
Award-winning. Inclusive. Led by women.
GLS Berlin, a five-time STAR SCHOOL GERMANY award winner, is led by a dynamic mother-daughter trio. Founded in 1983 as a one-woman show, it is now the only language school in Germany with two on-campus boutique hotels - right in the heart of Berlin.
Every year, more than 5,000 students from 80+ countries join our German courses for adults and teenagers. At GLS, “Where interesting people meet” is more than a motto; it’s a promise. We don’t just teach German - we create a space for you to connect and build friendships that transcend borders.
Discover our awards and meet the people behind GLS below.
The Faces Behind GLS
Marion, Academic Director
She ensures top-quality instruction, with teachers who hold university degrees and make learning feel like a conversation.
GLS is a TestDaF and telc German test center, helping you earn the recognized certificates you need to study or work in Germany.
Our Mission - What we believe in:
- Diversity
We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds - regardless of origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical abilities, religion, or marital status. - Communication
We believe that language skills, combined with respect and understanding of cultural differences, are key to meaningful social interaction and personal growth. - Responsibility
GLS is a second-generation, women-led family business you can rely on - we offer a personal touch you won't find in a corporation. - Sustainability
At GLS, sustainability shapes every decision we make - from environmental impact to social and economic responsibility. More about how we implement sustainability
References
Learn German in good company.
At GLS, 85% of our students are individuals from around the world — while 15% are professionals from diplomatic missions, NGOs, universities, and global companies such as Rolls-Royce, Fendi, and Amnesty International.
GLS Students
- More than 5,000 students each year
- From over 80 countries, with no single nationality dominating
Age diversity in our adult courses
We typically welcome 250–400 students at the GLS Campus Berlin each month, with summer numbers reaching up to 500.
- 18–22: 25%
- 23–30: 35%
- 30–45: 30%
- 45+: 10%
Nationality mix in our teenage summer camps in Berlin and Munich
- Participants from up to 60 countries
- Largest nationality group: typically no more than 10%
Students can connect through our online community - a platform for international learners of German as well as Germans who travel and learn languages with GLS.
Awards & Memberships
STAR SCHOOL GERMANY
GLS is proud to be a five-time winner of the STAR SCHOOL GERMANY award for Best German Language School, achieving the prestigious Super Star status.
Presented annually in London by StudyTravel Magazine, the award is voted on by over 3,000 study abroad professionals from more than 60 countries.
Excellence Award 2026
For the second consecutive year, GLS has received the Excellence Award from LanguageCourse.Net, a global platform that helps students find high-quality language courses. The award recognizes outstanding student satisfaction and is based on more than 28,000 student reviews.
"Best German Language School"
In 2025, GLS was named Germany’s top language school by the UED (the Association of International Educational Counsellors in Turkey) - marking the 4th time GLS has received this award.
A Global Top 10 Language School
In 2019, GLS was the only German school ranked among the world’s top 10 language schools by the Tokyo-based Ryugaku Journal, Japan’s leading study-abroad magazine.
Memberships
GLS - the IH School in Berlin
As Berlin’s official International House (IH) school, GLS is part of the worldwide IH network, recognized for high-quality language education.
IALC
GLS is a member of the International Association of Language Centres (IALC), a global network of top-quality, independently inspected language schools.
CSN Sweden
GLS is approved by the Swedish National Board of Student Aid (CSN), allowing Swedish students to apply for study grants. Learn more
Erasmus +
GLS provides EU-funded German courses tailored for professionals in education. Find out more.
