The short answer: the right English course depends on your goal, level, and budget. This page compares all formats in Berlin – one-to-one, business English, intensive and corporate courses, plus free options – honestly, including the alternatives VHS and language apps. Simmonds has taught with native-speaking trainers since 2004, in Berlin at Kurfürstendamm 30 and online.
One-to-one · intensive courses · corporate courses · in person on Ku’damm & online
English courses in Berlin: Compare formats for work & teams
Five formats, clear prices, James in his own words – in 98 seconds.
We need to talk about magical thinking because magical thinking is actually going to stop you from learning. English courses in Berlin compared, one-to-one intensive and corporate courses, live training with native-speaking trainers since 2004. Hi, my name is James Simmonds and I'm an English teacher based in Germany with over 20 years of experience.
One-to-one lessons, business English, intensive courses, corporate courses, free options, five formats, match to your goal, your level, and your budget. Meetings, presentations, negotiations, emails, and client calls, practice vocabulary, pronunciation, and the right register for your working day. Berlin, in person in Charlottenburg, online via Zoom, Teams, or Meet.
Corporate courses also run in-house from Mitte to Adlersoff. But osmosis or soaking in a warm bath of English dialogue with the subtitles on isn't going to help you present the latest figures to your multinational team on Monday morning. So to start with, we need to differentiate between passive understanding and active learning.
Business English, from 90 euros for 90 minutes. Remember, the brain is not a sponge, it's a muscle and it needs exercising. Start with your free needs analysis at Simmonds, Kurfürstendamm 30, Berlin, Charlottenburg, or online.
Course comparison
All prices are per 90-minute session, VAT-exempt (§4 Nr.21 UStG), with no long-term contracts.
| Format | Group size | Level | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-to-one lessons | 1 person | A1–C2 | €90–110 online · €115 in person / 90 min. | Fast, individual goals; executives; discreet training |
| Business English | 1–5 people | B1–C2 | from €90 / 90 min., quoted to need | Meetings, presentations, negotiations at work |
| Intensive course | 1–3 people | A2–C1 | on request | Visible progress in a few weeks – before an assignment abroad or a new job |
| Corporate courses | 3–5 people | A1–C2 | €97.50–105 online / 90 min. · in-house on request | Teams & departments, level-matched groups, HR progress reports |
| AI English training | 1 person | A2–C1 | add-on to a course | 24/7 speaking practice with an AI avatar between live sessions |
| Free options | — | A1–C1 | €0 | Online lessons, vocabulary trainer, podcasts, and placement test without sign-up |
Not sure about your level? The free placement test above takes 15–20 minutes and uses scenarios from everyday working life in Berlin.
There are four ways to learn English in Berlin: adult education centre (VHS), private language school, apps/self-study, or one-to-one training. The Berlin market is big – from chains like Berlitz to district VHS. What matters is what you want to achieve – the direct provider comparison (Berlitz, inlingua, Simmonds) is linked below.
The adult education centre is the cheapest live option per person and a good choice for hobby English. The limits: large groups (often 10–15 participants), a fixed semester rhythm with registration deadlines, a general curriculum without industry focus, and little individual speaking time. If you need English professionally, progress there is usually slower.
Duolingo, Babbel & co. train vocabulary and listening – free or cheap, any time. What they can't do: real speaking under pressure, correction of pronunciation and register, negotiation and meeting situations. Our recommendation: an app or our free lessons as a daily supplement, live training for real progress.
A private language school pays off when English is a career or business factor: native-speaking trainers, small groups (3–5) or 1:1, industry-specific vocabulary – in Berlin e.g. fintech, startups, pharma – flexible start without semester commitment, and measurable progress against CEFR A1–C2. At Simmonds this comes with free online lessons, podcasts, and an AI avatar for speaking practice. How we compare against Berlitz & inlingua is on the provider comparison page.
In-person at Kurfürstendamm 30 (Charlottenburg) suits learners who value the fixed appointment and a personal counterpart – €115 per 90 minutes. Online via Zoom, Teams, or Meet is cheaper (€90–110), saves the trip across town, and demonstrably works just as well for speaking practice. Corporate courses also run in-house – from Mitte to Adlershof. Last updated: August 2026.
Three typical starting points – and the right format
You need confident English at work – from client calls to presentations. Business English with industry-specific vocabulary gets you there fastest, one-to-one or in a small group.
Promotion, new job, assignment abroad: when it has to move quickly, one-to-one is the most efficient format – flexible scheduling, content cut exactly to your goal, usually starting within the same week.
Your department needs to work in English? Corporate courses with CEFR placement, level-matched small groups (3–5), and monthly HR progress reports – in-house from Mitte to Adlershof or online.
“Die kostenlosen Online-Lektionen haben mich überzeugt. Die Qualität des Einzelunterrichts hat meine Erwartungen übertroffen.”
Free online lessons twice a week, vocabulary trainer with 600 words, and a placement test – all without signing up.
Tell us briefly what you need English or German for — we'll suggest the best format for your goals and schedule.
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