Wiseward’s Partner Schools: GLS Berlin
Wiseward is not one stand-alone company. We work with a tapestry of foreign language schools to give you as much variety in your travel and language immersion as possible. In the coming weeks I will be taking you on a journey across Europe and highlighting some of the fantastic locations that our partner schools are based in, together taking an in-depth look at some of the great courses and language experiences that they offer.
What unites almost all of our excellent partner institutions is their IALC accreditation. It is the gold standard for schools, teachers and learning. It means that they have to meet certain specific quality standards. One of the most important of these criteria, to Wiseward, is that they are ‘independent of a large chain or corporate group’. This means that our partner schools are more intimate, with smaller class sizes, encouraging one-to-one tutoring and a more tailored language learning experience. These schools have a boutique and bespoke feel about them while offering high-quality teaching in lovely locations.
Why is travel and immersing yourself in the culture of the country necessary in language learning?
If you’ve ever tried learning a language through an app or textbook alone, you’ll know that something always feels… missing. That’s because language isn’t just about grammar rules and vocabulary lists – it’s about people, places and culture. This is where language immersion courses shine. By living in the country where the language is spoken, you’re not just studying – you’re experiencing. Going to the movies in a different country, exploring art galleries and museums, going to see famous monuments and historical buildings, it’ll help you pick up on the little cultural references that make a language feel alive. Suddenly, everything becomes part of your classroom. Research published in the System journal found that learners who regularly watched foreign-language films with subtitles improved their vocabulary by up to 30% more than those who relied solely on classroom instruction. It’s clear that the arts and humanities can be of service to language learners and immersion gives you the opportunity to learn more about the culture of place a become a better global citizen. It's not just about speaking correctly; it’s about connecting, understanding and feeling at home in another culture. And that’s something no textbook can offer.
Berlin, Germany
For our last stop, I thought I’d take you to a destination like no other, UNESCO’s appointed ‘city of design, Berlin in Germany!
Berlin is a city that wears its history on its sleeve while pulsing with creative energy. From the iconic Brandenburg Gate to the remnants of the Berlin Wall and the haunting beauty of the Holocaust Memorial, every corner tells a story of resilience and transformation. Beyond its historical landmarks, Berlin is a cultural powerhouse – home to world-renowned techno clubs, street art and a thriving film scene, including celebrated festivals like Carnival of Cultures (Karneval der Kulturen) and The Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale). Food lovers will find everything from traditional currywurst and döner kebabs to Michelin-starred dining. Whether you're exploring the storied streets of Mitte or dancing the night away in Kreuzberg, Berlin offers a dynamic blend of past and present that you cannot miss while exploring Europe.
Unlike any language school you’ve seen before, GLS Berlin features a unique 16,000 m² urban campus, making it the largest language school in Germany with extensive facilities. The campus includes 60 modern classrooms equipped with smart boards or touch screens, a historic swimming pool, a restaurant serving modern German cuisine, a cafeteria, 50 apartments and two boutique hotels, including the landmark Hotel Oderberger. GLS has been honoured with the ‘Star School Germany’ award five times, recognising it as one of the best language schools in Germany. The school has a lot of love to give, founded by Berlin entrepreneur Barbara Jaeschke who now runs the company with her two daughters, family founded and woman-lead.
The largest city in Germany, Berlin, has so much to offer language learners including famous parks like Tiergarten and Tempelhofer Feld, world-renowned museums like Museum Island and vibrant street art. The language school is situated in the vibrant Prenzlauer Berg district of Berlin known for its stunning architecture and 300 buildings that remain protected as historic monuments. Did you know that Berlin has more bridges (over 1,700) than Venice and more canals than Amsterdam; it’s practically a water city in disguise! The lakes in and around Berlin are thrilling to explore and GLS Berlin offer guided excursions to nearby places like Potsdam, Dresden or Sachsenhausen. There really is nowhere better to learn German!
Check out our ‘Standard German’ course!
Check out our ‘German + Urban Arts for Teens’ course!
Check out our ‘German for Teachers of German’ course!
Why Book with Wiseward?
You might well be asking yourself why book your language immersion course with Wiseward? Why not book direct? There are a number of reasons:
- Our Team
We have extensive knowledge of each and every course that we feature on our website. Language immersion programmes are not ‘a one size fits all’. All the courses we offer are of the highest quality and led by passionate people with a love of languages. Talk to us, tell us what you are looking for, and we can help you choose the right course, at the right price, in the right location that meets your specific needs.
- The Cost
You benefit from our expert advice at no more than the cost of booking direct.
But how does Wiseward generate income and pay its bills if the above is true?
Essentially, our income comes directly from our partner schools who we know intimately, who we trust and who we have worked with for many years. Every year we sit down with our partner schools and discuss rates and offers and how we can add value to their programmes. These discussions benefit you. They ensure that we receive a fair referral fee for matching you with their school and their courses. Importantly it guarantees that there is no innate bias towards certain schools or courses, which means that you get fair and impartial advice from us as to which school to go to, and which language course we think fits your needs best, based on our discussions with you.
- Added Value and Price Promise
Often our partner schools will offer us better deals than the published rates, as well as value add-ons. We will always pass all of these benefits on to you. And even with all this extra support and transparency, if you find the price of the course at one of our partner schools lower than on our site, we will always match it.
Our partner schools are what make us Wiseward. We check in regularly with them to ensure that we are providing you with pedagogical excellence and rich cultural insight. We specifically look for schools that offer something innovative, new exciting and memorable such as French and cooking, Italian and wine tasting, Spanish and dance, etc. These are enriching experiences that we think not only help create better global citizens but broaden perspectives. The courses we offer not only encourage, stretch and support your language learning but aim to excite and involve you in new cultures and customs. Whether you're aiming to boost your career, explore a new country or simply speak with confidence, our trusted schools and expert support make it all possible. With us, your language journey isn’t just educational — it’s unforgettable.