Business German @ GLS Berlin: How we teach
Every year, GLS welcomes over 250 business clients - from global brands like Sony, Rolls-Royce, and eBay to political institutions such as the European Commission and various embassies.
Meet Iris, one of our experienced Business German trainers. With more than 25 years of experience as a coach and business trainer, she has been part of the GLS team for over 10 years.
Interview with Iris – Business German Trainer at GLS Berlin
Who are your students?
Most of my students are executives, business owners, or politicians - and I’m always impressed by their intelligence, expertise, and quick grasp of new concepts. Teaching them is an absolute pleasure - it’s fun and inspiring every day.
How many of your clients are company-sponsored, and how many book privately?
Around 30% of my clients book their courses privately, often because they’re self-employed or prefer more flexibility. Companies usually fund two to three weeks of intensive training, while self-paying clients tend to stay longer.
Right now, for example, I’m teaching a medical examiner from Italy who booked three months of individual lessons. He’s extremely motivated and determined to reach the German level he needs for his career.
Which professional fields do you teach most often?
There’s strong demand from professionals in law, education, and medicine. I often teach lawyers, teachers, and doctors — helping them use German effectively in their specific professional contexts.
Can you teach Legal or Medical German without being a lawyer or doctor yourself?
Yes, absolutely. In Germany, Business German focuses on communication, not legal or medical content. My goal isn’t to explain legal systems or medical details, but to help professionals communicate clearly and confidently in their workplace.
It’s about empowering students to express their expertise in German, not turning them into German lawyers or doctors.
How do you teach communication so effectively?
At GLS, we teach exclusively in German - we don’t use clients’ native language to explain things. This way, they learn German just like they learned their first language - faster and more intuitively.
I also use real-life tasks: we work on presentations, simulate negotiations, and practice professional scenarios. My lessons often feel like coaching sessions, because students also receive feedback on how their communication style is perceived in a German business context.
What do you recommend: individual or group lessons?
If a client has highly specific demands, he or she will be happier with individual tuition. For those who enjoy learning with others, group courses work beautifully.
GLS also offers a combination of group and one-to-one lessons, so clients get the best of both worlds - general language confidence plus personalized, job-specific training.
What teaching materials do you use?
Our materials are tailor-made. I regularly attend training workshops organized by publishers such as Klett and Hueber, who specialize in Business German textbooks (e.g., German for Doctors, German for Journalists).
We combine these with custom materials designed for each student’s professional goals.
What’s the difference between teaching General and Business German?
At GLS, about 15 of our 90 teachers are specially qualified to teach Business German — they’ve completed additional certifications.
Beyond qualifications, experience and empathy are key. Business clients are used to being experts and in control - learning German puts them in a beginner’s role. A good teacher helps them feel comfortable, respected, and supported as they regain confidence in a new language.
In short:
Business German at GLS is practical, personal, and professional. Whether you’re a company executive, diplomat, or entrepreneur, you’ll learn to communicate naturally and effectively — with the guidance of experienced trainers like Iris.
