Learn German Online for Free with the vhs-Lernportal
Are you looking for a structured way to learn German without paying for a private course? The vhs-Lernportal offers free online German courses for adult learners, from beginner to advanced levels.
The platform is operated by the German Adult Education Association, known in German as the Deutscher Volkshochschul-Verband or DVV. Its German courses follow recognized frameworks used for integration and vocational language education in Germany.
What German Courses Are Available?
The vhs-Lernportal provides several learning pathways:
- An ABC German course for literacy and the Latin alphabet
- General German courses at A1, A2 and B1
- A vocational German course covering A2–B1
- A professional German course at B2
- An advanced professional German course at C1
The general A1, A2 and B1 courses focus on language needed for everyday life in Germany. The higher-level courses concentrate more heavily on workplace communication, job applications, interviews, professional training and other employment-related situations.
Some of the main German courses are also recognized by Germany’s Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, or BAMF, as digital teaching materials. This recognition applies to the learning resources, but does not mean that completing them automatically gives the learner an official language qualification.
How Do the Courses Work?
The courses contain interactive exercises, videos, audio recordings, vocabulary practice, grammar activities and tests. The A1, A2 and B1 courses each include 12 lessons and approximately 900 exercises.
Learners practise the four main language skills:
- Reading
- Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
The interface and learning support are available in multiple languages, making the platform accessible to people who are just beginning to learn German.
Students can study independently and receive immediate results for many exercises. It is also possible to join a digital class created by a teacher, although a course code is not required for independent learning.
Is the vhs-Lernportal Free?
The platform and its mobile applications are completely free for learners. Registration requires an email address or a German mobile number. People outside Germany can register using their email address.
Many courses are available as free mobile apps for iOS and Android. Lessons can be downloaded in advance, allowing learners to complete much of the course without an internet connection.
Does the Course Include a Certificate?
Learners can request a PDF confirmation showing the lessons and activities they have completed. However, this document is not an official German-language certificate.
To obtain a recognized qualification for university, employment or immigration purposes, learners must complete an official examination at an authorized testing centre.
How to Start Learning
Visit the official vhs-Lernportal, create a free account and select the course that matches your current level.
The platform is a particularly useful option for anyone planning to live, study or work in Germany and looking for a comprehensive, flexible course with practical language content.