German Lessons in Christchurch

Christchurch is a multicultural city where you can hear many languages spoken on the streets, like English, Maori, Samoan, Mandarin and French. Also among them is German, and there are more than 1,500 people who claim German ancestry in the city, according to the 2010 census. This fact is not actually all that surprising given that, prior to the First World War, the Germans were the second-largest immigrant group in New Zealand, arriving because of the opportunities to set up a business and buy cheap property across the country, particularly in Christchurch. While the wave of immigration from Germany to New Zealand decreased with the onset of war, the community remains active in the city, often celebrating its cultural heritage. So, studying German in Christchurch will allow you to explore these traditions and to socialise with the community on a more intimate level. Get in touch with us at Language Trainers and we will start designing a tailor-made course that suits your preferences and abilities.

Why Study German in Christchurch

For Work: Sign up for a German course in the city and broaden your professional horizons. Germany and New Zealand enjoy a supportive business relationship based on common interests and values. This makes them partners in international affairs, trade, commerce and science. Germany is Christchurch’s largest export market for venison and sheep meat, for example. Other trading opportunities exist, particularly in food and beverages, high-value consumer products and healthcare. So, if you work in those fields, it would be wise for you to sign up for a German course! And if you are starting your job search, reach out to the German-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce, an institution that, since 1983, has been helping both New Zealand and German businesses and individuals through an increasingly competitive global market environment. Even though its offices are in Auckland, this institution frequently organises workshops and conferences in Christchurch. For example, you can attend the annual Exporting to the EU and Germany workshop, where attendees learn more about Germany as a country to do business with, from attending trade fairs to removing risk.

For Culture: Learn more about the fascinating German culture without having to leave your city. For example, you can take part in the many activities organised by the German Society in New Zealand, which holds events and festivities in the city of Christchurch on a regular basis. Their website is written completely in German, so try to read it to improve your your vocabulary and test your skills after taking some lessons with us. And if you are interested in the history of Germany and Austria, you will be happy to know that many scholars around the city organise workshops and talks about these topics. You will learn about ancient Germania, the region’s role within the Holy Roman Empire, its dissolution into dozens of small states, their reunification and many other events throughout history. Why not try to talk to the attending scholars (and the attendees themselves) in German with the skills you acquire with us?

For Social: Join the InterNations space for Germans in Christchurch. Even though it was initially founded for expats living in the city, the meetings now welcome anyone with an interest in the Germanic culture. Go and practise your German in a friendly group! And if you like cinema, you can attend the annual German Film Festival at the Lumière Cinema. This is a two-day event where more than 20 films from Germany, Austria and Belgium are screened in their original language. Of course, they are featured with English subtitles but we are sure you will not need them after taking some lessons with Language Trainers.

Where to Learn German in and around Christchurch

Don’t hesitate to sign up for a German course today! In Language Trainers, we focus on your convenience, so you get to decide the place and time of your lessons. So, get in touch with us and we will arrange for a native-speaking German teacher to go to your home, office or a public place of your choice. Some suggestions are Portershed Specialty Cafe on Lincoln Road, C1 Espresso on High Street or the South Christchurch Library on Colombo Street.

Are you living on the outskirts of Christchurch and would like to study German with us? No problem! We have great professionals waiting to get started in areas like Rapaki, Lincoln, Lyttelton, Prebbleton and Merivale.

Take the plunge and start learning German. Let’s go, lass uns gehen! And if you are familiar with some German already, please take our free German Level Test to assess your skill level, so we can start designing a course tailored to your current ability.