Always wanted to learn German but worried a course would move too quickly? Gentle German Level 1 is for complete beginners who want to start properly, in a relaxed afternoon class with time to ask questions, practise and try again. 

From the very first session you’ll be greeting people and introducing yourself in German. Over the eight weeks you’ll learn to talk about yourself and others, where you’re from and the languages you speak, your hobbies and your work, and to share contact details such as your phone number and email address. 

Each session is 1 hour 45 minutes, a little longer than our regular classes, so new language has time to settle before you move on. 

Course format 

Why choose Gentle German? 

• The same content as our regular Level 1, with two extra hours of class time 

• Longer afternoon sessions, so there’s time to practise, ask questions and review 

• A relaxed, supportive group where you can build confidence speaking 

• Qualified, experienced teachers at a trusted school in the heart of Covent Garden 

• A clear path onwards to Level 2 

This course is for complete beginners, or anyone who knows a few words of German but has never studied it in a structured way. 

It’s a good fit for 

• Adults starting German from zero who prefer a calmer, more supported pace 

• People with free weekday afternoons, including shift workers, freelancers, parents and retirees 

• Learners who like time to consolidate before moving on 

• Anyone with a trip, a move or family connections in Germany, Austria or Switzerland 

This course may be especially useful if you want to 

• Build confidence speaking from the very first lesson 

• Get to grips with German pronunciation and the alphabet without rushing 

• Get used to learning in a group, in a supportive setting 

• Set yourself up well for Level 2 

How does this compare to our other German courses? 

Gentle German and our regular courses cover exactly the same content and lead to the same outcomes. Gentle courses simply give you more time: eight sessions of 1 hour 45 minutes (14 hours) rather than 12 hours. If you’d prefer to move faster, our Saturday Fast Track courses cover more than one level in eight weeks.

The content below is a rough guide. Your teacher will choose the most useful material and adapt the pace to suit the group, so there’s always time to consolidate before moving on. 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to 

• Greet people and say goodbye 

• Talk about yourself and other people 

• Count in German and share personal details such as your phone number and email address 

• Spell names and words using the German alphabet 

• Talk about countries and the languages you speak 

• Talk about your hobbies 

• Talk about your work, your job and your working hours 

Language you’ll learn along the way 

What your German will sound like 

Guten Tag, ich heiße Anna. Ich komme aus England. 

Hello, my name is Anna. I’m from England. 

Woher kommen Sie? 

Where are you from? (formal) 

Ich spreche Englisch und ein bisschen Deutsch. 

I speak English and a little German. 

Ich spiele gern Tennis. 

I like playing tennis. 

Self-study 

We recommend around an hour of self-study a week. The coursebook’s online audio and video are a great way to practise listening between lessons, and your teacher will suggest exercises to consolidate what you’ve learnt. 

What’s next? 

After this course you can continue to German Level 2, in the Gentle format or any of our other German courses. 

Do I need any German before I start? 

No. Level 1 is the very start of A1 and assumes no previous knowledge. If you already know some German, our free online placement test will help you find the right level. 

Do I need to buy a coursebook? 

The course uses Netzwerk neu A1.1 (ISBN 9783126071628), which comes with audio and video. It covers our first German levels, so you’ll keep using it as you progress.  

How is Gentle German different from your regular Level 1? 

The content and outcomes are the same. The difference is time: Gentle courses run for 14 hours over eight 1 hour 45 minute afternoon sessions, rather than 12 hours, so there’s more room for practice, review and questions. 

Will we cover every page of the coursebook? 

No. Your teacher will focus on the most useful content and may add other materials, adapting the pace to suit the group. 

Why does the teacher speak German in class? 

Hearing German throughout the lesson is one of the most effective ways to build your listening and comprehension. Your teacher will always make sure you understand, using gesture, visuals and carefully chosen language. 

Will I be speaking in class? 

Yes. Speaking is at the heart of every session, in a supportive and encouraging group where making mistakes is part of learning. 

What happens after this course? 

After this course you can continue to German Level 2, in the Gentle format or any of our other German courses. 

German Level 1 (A0) is a complete beginner course for students who have never studied the language before. If you already have some basic knowledge of German, we recommend taking our placement test or contacting the Foreign Language Department, as a more suitable course may be available for you. 

Our classes take place at our school in Covent Garden with qualified, experienced teachers. 

Classes at IH London are dynamic and interactive, with a strong focus on spoken communication. Lessons are taught primarily in German and include interactive activities such as group work and role-plays to help build confidence and fluency. The course also develops your grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, listening, reading, and writing skills for real-life use of the language. 

After Level 1, continue your learning with Level 2 and beyond. Progression is based on your participation and self-study—there are no formal tests. To understand how this course fits into your learning journey, check our level chart. 

What’s included in your course? 

• Lesson summaries, notes & resources 

• German study tips 

• Access to additional study materials via our online platform 

• Support from experienced teachers 

• Invitations to exclusive workshops and events for IH London students 

By the end of your course, you should be able to: 

• Greet, say goodbye, and introduce yourself/others 

• Ask and answer basic questions (e.g., “How are you?”) 

• Share personal details (e.g., phone number, email) and spell words 

• Talk about nationality, countries, and languages 

• Use numbers for counting and everyday contexts 

• Discuss hobbies, free-time activities, and make plans 

• Describe jobs, professions, and working hours 

• Fill out simple forms 

• Apply essential grammar: questions, verb conjugation, pronouns, articles, plurals, haben and sein 

• Distinguish between formal and informal address 

• Gain cultural insights into German-speaking countries 

Materials 

Required Coursebook: 
Netzwerk neu in Teilbänden: Kurs- und Übungsbuch A1.1 mit Audios und Videos 
Units 1 & 2 
ISBN: 3126071627 

Please note coursebooks are required and should be purchased after your first lesson. Books will be available to buy at reception before your second class. 

German Level 1 (A0) is a complete beginner course for students who have never studied the language before. If you already have some basic knowledge of German, we recommend taking our placement test or contacting the Foreign Language Department, as a more suitable course may be available for you. 

Our classes take place at our school in Covent Garden with qualified, experienced teachers. 

Classes at IH London are dynamic and interactive, with a strong focus on spoken communication. Lessons are taught primarily in German and include interactive activities such as group work and role-plays to help build confidence and fluency. The course also develops your grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, listening, reading, and writing skills for real-life use of the language. 

After Level 1, continue your learning with Level 2 and beyond. Progression is based on your participation and self-study—there are no formal tests. To understand how this course fits into your learning journey, check our level chart. 

What’s included in your course? 

• Lesson summaries, notes & resources 

• German study tips 

• Access to additional study materials via our online platform 

• Support from experienced teachers 

• Invitations to exclusive workshops and events for IH London students 

By the end of your course, you should be able to: 

• Greet, say goodbye, and introduce yourself/others 

• Ask and answer basic questions (e.g., “How are you?”) 

• Share personal details (e.g., phone number, email) and spell words 

• Talk about nationality, countries, and languages 

• Use numbers for counting and everyday contexts 

• Discuss hobbies, free-time activities, and make plans 

• Describe jobs, professions, and working hours 

• Fill out simple forms 

• Apply essential grammar: questions, verb conjugation, pronouns, articles, plurals, haben and sein 

• Distinguish between formal and informal address 

• Gain cultural insights into German-speaking countries 

Materials 

Required Coursebook: 
Netzwerk neu in Teilbänden: Kurs- und Übungsbuch A1.1 mit Audios und Videos 
Units 1 & 2 
ISBN: 3126071627 

Please note coursebooks are required and should be purchased after your first lesson. Books will be available to buy at reception before your second class. 

German Level 1 (A0) is a complete beginner course for students who have never studied the language before. If you already have some basic knowledge of German, we recommend taking our placement test or contacting the Foreign Language Department, as a more suitable course may be available for you. 

Our classes take place at our school in Covent Garden with qualified, experienced teachers. 

Classes at IH London are dynamic and interactive, with a strong focus on spoken communication. Lessons are taught primarily in German and include interactive activities such as group work and role-plays to help build confidence and fluency. The course also develops your grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, listening, reading, and writing skills for real-life use of the language. 

After Level 1, continue your learning with Level 2 and beyond. Progression is based on your participation and self-study—there are no formal tests. To understand how this course fits into your learning journey, check our level chart. 

What’s included in your course? 

• Lesson summaries, notes & resources 

• German study tips 

• Access to additional study materials via our online platform 

• Support from experienced teachers 

• Invitations to exclusive workshops and events for IH London students 

By the end of your course, you should be able to: 

• Greet, say goodbye, and introduce yourself/others 

• Ask and answer basic questions (e.g., “How are you?”) 

• Share personal details (e.g., phone number, email) and spell words 

• Talk about nationality, countries, and languages 

• Use numbers for counting and everyday contexts 

• Discuss hobbies, free-time activities, and make plans 

• Describe jobs, professions, and working hours 

• Fill out simple forms 

• Apply essential grammar: questions, verb conjugation, pronouns, articles, plurals, haben and sein 

• Distinguish between formal and informal address 

• Gain cultural insights into German-speaking countries 

Materials 

Required Coursebook: 
Netzwerk neu in Teilbänden: Kurs- und Übungsbuch A1.1 mit Audios und Videos 
Units 1 & 2 
ISBN: 3126071627 

Please note coursebooks are required and should be purchased after your first lesson. Books will be available to buy at reception before your second class. 

Why not try out a sample beginners German lesson before signing up to a full course? These one-off sessions are aimed at students who have never studied the German language before.

Sample Lesson Plan

• Greeting people
• Introducing yourself and someone else
• Asking and giving personal details (name, nationalities, profession, age, phone number, date of birth)