German language certificates - which one is for you?
You will get a GLS certificate after having finished your course at the GLS German language school in Berlin. Our certificate documents your level of German on the European Framework scale A1 - C2 and is free of charge, unlike telc, TestDaF or Goethe certificates. Many employers in Berlin accept a GLS certificate, but it has no worldwide recognition. If you want that, we recommend an official German language certificate like telc or TestDaF.
- "How long will it take me before I can do exam xyz?" Check this chart!
- GLS is a Berlin testing center for telc Deutsch certificates and TestDaF
telc German B1
for some university studies in music or art or if you want to apply for German citizenship
telc German B2 / Goethe B2
both accepted by most employers in Germany, prerequisite for Studienkolleg
telc C1 Hochschule / TestDaF - for university studies
both for admission to universities in Germany. TestDaF and telc C1 Hochschule are equivalent (In 2016 the certificate telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule was officially recognized as proof of language skills for admission to German universities by the members of the German Rectors' and Cultural Ministers’ Conference)
Goethe C2
for teachers of German and for university studies in Germany - more - prep courses & exams
Goethe or telc? Which German exam should I take?
Are you wondering which German exam to take? What the differences are? To make it short: there are no significant differences. The testing formats are very similar, and both - Goethe and "telc" - are recognized certificates. Just take the exam that suits you better in terms of time and price (telc exams tend to be cheaper than Goethe exams).
Goethe exams can be taken only at a Goethe Institute, telc exams at test centers worldwide. GLS is a telc test center in Berlin. Test results are available after four to six weeks, telc certificates are valid for an unlimited period: see our testing dates in Berlin .
Some background info: telc is an official testing body headquarted in Frankfurt; the letters "telc" stand for The European Language Certificates. telc tests 10 languages, the Goethe Institue only German.