Would you like to learn German? Do you live in Leeds?

Leeds has been partnered with Dortmund since 1969

Leeds residents are eligible for a new series of online German language courses, thanks to our partner city Dortmund.

The three new Wilkommen in Dortmund (Welcome to Dortmund) courses, are aimed at beginners and those developing their skills, and have been organised by the Anglo-German Society in Dortmund together with the Language Institute of the Dortmund Auslandsgesellschaft.

The special initiative, which began last year, has proved so popular that Dortmund is now organising three new courses starting in early February to satisfy the demand.

Participants will get to know more about Dortmund, which has been Leeds’s German partner city since 1969.

The twelve-week online courses are taught live from Dortmund, and combine hands-on language learning with real cultural connections. Students will learn how to speak German in everyday situations – while also discovering the people, history, and character of Dortmund.

The lessons will take place once a week on Tuesday evenings from 6.30 to 8.00 pm (UK time) starting on Tuesday, 16th September. They cater for three levels:

• Absolute beginners

• Second-level beginners for people who have completed one course

• A conversation group.

To support the partnership between Leeds and Dortmund, the Language Institute of the Dortmund Auslandsgesellschaft is offering this course at the special price of 89 Euros. This fee covers both tuition and course materials which will be provided free of charge each week in the form of a PowerPoint presentation.

Geoff Tranter of Dortmund's Anglo-German Society said: "We had great feedback from the courses we ran last year. There is clearly a considerable desire in Leeds, to learn languages like German in a way that provides everyday skills and fits about the realities of people's lives."

To register for this special German course Wilkommen in Dortmund, simply go to the Auslandsgesellschaft homepage https://auslandsgesellschaft.de/willkommen-in-dortmund-deutsch-lernen/, and pick the option that seems most appropriate to your needs.

For more information, contact Geoff Tranter at the Anglo-German Society, Dortmund, email: geofftranter@yahoo.co.uk.

Leeds and Dortmund have been partners for over 50 years. The twinning partnership dates back to the period after the Second World War when cities across Europe started twinning to promote peace and understanding between communities across Europe.

In 2021, following the end of the Brexit transition period, the two cities reaffirmed their commitment to the partnership with the resigning of an updated Memorandum of Understanding. 

Recent areas of cooperation include youth exchanges, education, culture, digital technology and economic development.