Objective and target group

Objective: To update the knowledge acquired during training, expand subject-specific didactic knowledge and teaching skills and acquire additional formal qualifications. Target group: DLL is aimed at teachers of German as a world language or German as a second language with or without teaching experience. Even without a degree in German studies or German as a world language, teachers can expand their skills with units from the DLL series. The prerequisite for participation is knowledge of German at level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The units are particularly promising for teachers if they are already teaching, have teaching experience or have completed internships or work shadowing in German lessons.

flexible : weekly work packages with free time allocation interactive : exchange with other German teachers online : access to the Goethe-Institut's interactive learning platform from anywhere practical : comprehensive materials for independent learning tutored : feedback from qualified tutors certified : certificate from the Goethe-Institut recognized : you can acquire professional development hours and graduate-level credits through our partner Idioma Education & Consulting quality : used worldwide for the qualification of DaF & DaZ teachers Not yet convinced? Read our interview with current DLL and Idioma Education participant Karla Gotham!

Approach / objective of the continuing education program

Practical continuing education and training program for teachers on new didactic content , developed according to current didactic knowledge. Action / teacher research: Teachers gain new didactic knowledge and insight by observing their own and other teachers’ lessons and by recognizing and trying out new potential courses of action in the classroom. Each unit ends with a 3-week final project ( Practical Exploration Project or PEP ), in which the new theoretical approaches of the DLL unit are reviewed and assessed in the teacher’s own teaching practice. The Practical Exploration Project initiates changes in the classroom and helps to increase the professionalism of teachers. Successful completion includes the submission of 3-5 pages of documentation in which the implementation and the results are described and evaluated in detail. Participants will receive individual feedback from the tutors. Sharing of experience among colleagues Reflective experiential learning

Format and scope of the continuing education program

Format: 100 % online with face-to-face sessions (3 online live sessions lasting 60 minutes each), in which cooperative projects are worked on and presented, and the subject-related content is discussed Duration: 10 weeks of around 8-10 hours/week for a total of ca. 90 hours Assignments: Exchange in forums on the learning platform Exploration exercises Reflection exercises Tutored portfolio exercises Practical Exploration Project (PEP) Intercultural aspect of the continuing education program: Multinational group of participants, comparison of lesson plan models from various teaching and learning cultures to exchange experiences and gain a better understanding of other educational systems

DLL Redesign 2025: What's New?

The redesigned concept for the Deutsch Lehren Lernen (DLL) program places a stronger focus on promoting learner autonomy , allowing participants to shape their learning processes independently. The new Exploration Tasks encourage a research-oriented approach to the content, while Reflection Tasks serve as anonymized assessments designed to initiate the reflection process on both the unit's content and one's own teaching behavior. At the same time, the established course structure remains largely intact, now adapting even more effectively to the individual needs of learners. Enhanced use of portfolio work and simplified digital tools , such as forums and surveys, also contribute to transparent documentation of learning progress. Additionally, digital modules are integrated into the course to expand the unit.

For general course participants and Idioma participants who wish to acquire 45 training hours For Idioma participants who wish to earn 3 graduate level credits 6 completed exploration exercises all reflection exercises Participation in at least 2 of 3 online live sessions (if one of the 3 sessions is missed, the participant can instead watch the recording and submit a summary) successful Practical Exploration Project (PEP) all exercises as for general course participants plus: all tutored portfolio exercises

Deutsch lehren lernen
Teacher Training

Practical continuing education and professional development series
Designed around your own instruction needs and that of your students
Suited for professionals switching careers

The innovative concept of DLL puts the attention on the daily practices and challenges of the German language classroom and deals with the key players and fundamental elements of instruction. Topics such as language skills, grammar, vocabulary, phonetics, literature, classroom formats, etc. are integrated into a competence-driven teaching concept. With the help of a collection of lesson recordings and the Practical Exploration Projects (PEPs), participants acquire action-relevant knowledge for their own teaching.

@Goethe-Institut

GET ACQUAINTED WITH THE DLL- CONCEPT

DLL at a glance:

Qualifications for teachers of German as a World Language and German as a Second Language
Advanced training and professional development programmes at the Goethe-Institut
Course taught entirely in German
Developing and improving teaching skills
Learning under the guidance of professional DLL tutors
Observing own and other people’s lessons with video recordings of DaF-lessons worldwide
Reflecting on and optimizing teaching practices

German teachers in the US can earn professional development hours or graduate-level credit through Idioma Education & Consulting for attending DLL courses.

Starting next

Oct 7- Dec 16, 2025
DLL 1: Teaching Competence and Lesson Planning
DLL 2: Learning German as a World Language
DLL 5: Technology and Media in the German Classroom
DLL 8: German for Children

Register now
Registration Deadline: September 23, 2025

Contact: rebecca.allison@goethe.de

Goethe-Institut

Idioma Partnership

German teachers in the USA can register for DLL courses through our partner Idioma Education & Consulting and earn professional development hours or graduate-level credit for salary advancement, recertification, a graduate-level certificate, or M.Ed.

Goethe-Institut

DLL Course Books: Our Gift to You!

While supplies last, German language teachers in the United States can request Deutsch Lehren Lernen (DLL) course books FOR FREE.

Back to Online/Remote Professional Development

For general course participants and Idioma participants who wish to acquire 45 training hours	For Idioma participants who wish to earn 3 graduate level credits
6 completed exploration exercises all reflection exercises Participation in at least 2 of 3 online live sessions (if one of the 3 sessions is missed, the participant can instead watch the recording and submit a summary) successful Practical Exploration Project (PEP)	all exercises as for general course participants plus: all tutored portfolio exercises

Deutsch lehren lernen Teacher Training

GET ACQUAINTED WITH THE DLL- CONCEPT

Objective and target group

Your benefits

Approach / objective of the continuing education program

Format and scope of the continuing education program

DLL Redesign 2025: What's New?

Course requirements

DLL Course Portfolio 2025

DLL 1

DLL 2

DLL 3

DLL 4

DLL 5

DLL 6

DLL 7

DLL 8

DLL 10

Idioma Partnership

DLL Course Books: Our Gift to You!

Deutsch lehren lernen
Teacher Training