The 6 Best Online German Tutoring Websites

Are you learning German but have no one to practise your speaking skills with? Then you need to look into these six best online German tutoring services!

With the rise of online tutoring platforms in recent years, you can take private classes from German tutors that are even more convenient because you can access them from the comfort of your own home.

These lessons may be just what you need to improve your grades or get ahead in a complex subject. 

Check out the best websites for finding online German tutors below.

German Tutors Online Vs. Face To Face

Choosing between attending German lessons online or face-to-face can be daunting for many people. Some may worry that online learning won't be as effective as in-person lessons.

But, if you choose the right platform and a reputable online German teacher, the experience can be very similar to traditional face-to-face tutoring. In both scenarios, you can interact with your German teacher and use various tools to enhance your learning.

A study from 2021 published in the Journal of English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics found that learners who took language lessons online achieved similar results to those who learned in person. Ultimately, it will come down to your personal preference and what works best for your schedule and learning style.

The Benefits Of An Online German Tutor

There are many advantages to learning from a German teacher online compared to a classroom environment.

Personalised Approach

Unlike a traditional classroom setting where everyone learns at the same pace, a private German teacher can tailor the lesson plan to your unique learning style, making it more effective.

In fact, one hour of individual tutoring can be equivalent to multiple hours spent in a crowded classroom, where the German teacher has to cater to the needs of all students.

Online German teachers will have the expertise to identify your strengths and weaknesses and create a personalised approach that works best for you. By doing so, they can help you achieve your foreign language learning goals faster and more efficiently.

Greater Flexibility

Online German lessons give you the freedom to customise your learning experience to your needs and schedule. Unlike traditional tutoring, where the teacher creates the lesson plan, online learning allows you to take control of your development.

You have the power to decide what you want to learn, and the German tutor should develop lesson plans based on your goals, ensuring you achieve maximum results in the shortest time possible.

Additionally, online tutoring allows you to schedule lessons that suit your learning style and preferences.

For instance, if you find that you absorb more during certain times of the day, you can schedule your lessons accordingly. If you're under the weather or have an unexpected event, you can easily reschedule your session without disrupting your development.

With online German lessons, you can personalise your learning experience to meet your unique needs, making the process both enjoyable and effective.

Cost-Effective

Compared to traditional in-person learning, online tutoring is often more affordable due to the absence of additional expenses like rent, materials, and transportation costs. Without these extra costs, online German tutoring allows you to access quality teaching at a more affordable price.

Additionally, you can choose from a vast pool of native speakers tutoring German from around the world, each with their own unique set of skills and experience. This means that you can find a German tutor who is not only affordable but also has the expertise to help you achieve your learning goals.

How To Choose The Best German Tutoring Website

Before you initiate a trial lesson or sign up for a German tutoring website, you should consider these factors.

Your Budget

The first decision you must make is how much you want to spend learning a foreign language.

Fortunately, there are many affordable options available. With many online tutoring websites, you can adjust the frequency of your lessons or opt for group learning to cut down costs.

The Course Materials

It's vital that you know what level the German learning materials are designed for. For instance, native language content may not be the right choice for newcomers. On the other hand, a German tutor that only covers the basics may not provide enough room for progression.

Completing a trial lesson can provide excellent insight into what you can expect from a German tutor. Make the most of these opportunities to ask about course materials to see if it suits your learning style.

Skills You Want To Focus On

Determine if you want to focus on a specific skill you want to develop. It could be reading, listening, writing, speaking, or all four.

You can also find German tutors that specialise in a specific niche, such as medical terminology. The more focused you are on what you want to learn, the easier it will be to decide what German tutoring website is best for you.

How You Want To Learn German

Lastly, you should consider your learning style. Do you absorb information better in group settings or one-on-one situations with a German tutor?

You should also think about the time commitment. Some German tutors run sessions of up to an hour, while others have shorter classes to keep you engaged.

Keeping these factors in mind will help you choose the best German tutor that meets your requirements and can help you achieve your learning goals.

The Best Online German Tutoring Websites

1. LanguaTalk

The best overall

If you're looking for a top-notch German learning experience, LanguaTalk is the way to go.

Their team thoroughly screens all of their tutors to ensure that they are knowledgeable and can provide you with the best possible learning experience.

You can feel confident that you will find a tutor who can help you improve your language skills.

LanguaTalk is very selective when it comes to approving tutors—in fact, only 10% of applicants are accepted. You can learn more about the tutors on LanguaTalk and read student reviews to get a better idea of who you might want to work with.

Although many tutors may think that speaking ability is the most important thing because they themselves are native speakers, they are able to tailor their courses to students.

This means that the focus is not only on speaking, but also on other aspects of the language that are important to students, as necessary.

LanguaTalk is a great way to learn German. As there are tutors from multiple countries, you’ll find most German dialects are covered. However, if you’re looking to learn something highly specific, like Medical German, you might not be able to find what you’re looking for. 

In addition, you may need to ask your private German tutor for additional resources, as the site itself has a limited selection. 

Pros

• Tutors are carefully vetted, so quality is high and they can adapt to your specific needs
• You can book a free, 30-minute trial (no card required)
• Students can view tutors’ reviews
• The website is intuitive and accessible

Cons

• If you need to learn highly specialised German, you might struggle to find the right tutor
• You’ll need to ask your tutor for additional learning resources

2. DeutscheAkademie

A service dedicated specifically to the German language

If you're interested in a traditional German language class but don’t have the time or physical availability to attend one in person, DeutscheAkademie can be a great option.

The classes are broadcast live online, and you can participate among a group of likeminded students—usually anywhere from 7 to 12, including you. 

DA also offers specialized courses, like those specifically to help you prepare for exams and others to focus on intensive study.

Their German offerings range in level from beginner to advanced, and they offer a money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the tutoring that you receive. 

You can even focus specifically on writing, German grammar, and even German pronunciation if this is an area of challenge for you. Courses are billed for the entire course at once, but the prices are highly affordable and often lower than what you would pay in person at a college. 

Pros

• The service focuses explicitly on teaching German
• Multiple types of study to suit all needs
• Money back guarantee

Cons

• Lessons must be bought at the full-course level
• Those wanting one-on-one instruction must attend class with others

3. italki

A highly variable service

italki is a well-known name in the world of German tutoring. One of its key features is that it provides two types of instruction: professional and community. 

With professional instruction, you can learn from qualified teachers who are native speakers of German. Community instruction, on the other hand, allows you to learn alongside other German language learners like yourself from a conversational native speaker.

The professional tutors have the credentials and expertise to teach German effectively. You'll pay a bit more for their services, but they offer comprehensive curriculums that will help you learn the language quickly.

Community instructors are often less expensive than those who have recognised credentials. They are typically native speakers who are willing to talk and provide immersion.

italki has more than 30,000 tutors available to help you reach your language goals. With such a wide selection of qualified teachers, it's easy to find the perfect match for your learning style and needs.

In order to learn German in a way that fits you, italki offers a variety of options both as a desktop website and as an app. You can choose the type of setup and tutoring that suits you, all tailored to your individual needs and level.

Pros

• Multiple types of tutors
• Website is full of extra resources
• Access is simple across platforms

Cons

• Community German tutors do not have credentials, and so might not create robust lesson plans
• The app functions better than the site

4. Verbling

Global tutor access

Verbling is an online tutoring service that provides German lessons anywhere in the world. What distinguishes Verbling is the way its teachers charge for their services.

Verbling's pricing structure is unique in the online tutoring space, offering a more flexible and affordable option for students.

Tutors are not restricted by a set cost like other tutoring sites. Instead, they have the freedom to choose their own cost and adjust it as they see fit. This allows them to be more flexible with pricing and ultimately attracts more students.

If you're looking for a tutor, you'll likely be able to find someone within your price range due to the variable structure. You'll also be able to search based on where the tutor is located if you need specific dialectic help.

The website itself is well designed and easy to use. The app, however, can be a bit hit-or-miss. It has its good days and bad days, but a patch should be coming soon.

Looking for a way to improve your German skills? Verbling has tutors from all over the globe, so you're sure to find one that can help you with your specific interests. No matter what your current skill level is, their tutors can help you become more confident and proficient in German.

Pros

• Services available worldwide
• Website is a breeze to use
• Free trials are available

Cons

• The app is awaiting a patch
• Tutors are not vetted for credentials

5. MyLingoTrip

Native speakers use a tested lesson strategy

MyLingoTrip stands out in the way it structures German tutoring online.

One difference between MLT and other language schools is that you can book your German lessons on a per-lesson basis.

This means that you only pay for the lessons that you take, and each lesson is a one-on-one session with a native speaker.

The number of classes you take each week will determine your fee. The more classes you book, the lower your fee will be. This makes it easy and affordable to get the tutoring you want and allows you to plan ahead.

The minimum number of classes you can take is five, and you will be assigned a tutor based on your responses to questionnaires before you start.

While some students may be apprehensive about being given a teacher rather than picking their own, the tutors at this language school are all native speakers who have certifications.

Additionally, MyLingoTrip is a great German tutoring service because all of the teachers adhere to a set, tried-and-true curriculum. This means that you can be sure you're getting a great education when you use this service.

Your experience learning German will be just like if you were taking a traditional in-person class, but from anywhere in the world! No matter where you are, you can learn German with the same high-quality instruction and engagement as if you were sitting in a classroom.

Pros

• MLT uses approved curricula 
• Session booking is flexible
• The tutors are native speakers

Cons

• More specific help (like tech-centric German or dialects) may not be available
• No in-built video platform for tutoring

6. VerbalPlanet

For those who thrive on feedback

For German students who want to choose the best instructor and get feedback along the way, VerbalPlanet is the perfect tool.

By reading reviews and ratings from other students, you can be sure to find the right instructor for your needs.

The main focus for teachers on VerbalPlanet is providing comprehensive, quick, and effective feedback. This is an important aspect of improving language skills. By giving clear and concise feedback, teachers can help students learn and improve more effectively.

Tutors can help you stay motivated by using the Common European Framework of References for Languages (CEFR) to identify your strengths and expand on them.

Whereas most online German tutoring programs teach for an hour or more, VerbalPlanet instructors' courses last roughly 40 minutes on average. The shorter lesson duration allows you to stay focused and engaged throughout.

This is especially useful if you want to improve your language skills but find it difficult to fit language study into your day. By taking shorter lessons, you can make significant progress towards becoming proficient in German.

Pros

• Feedback is a huge component
• Discounts available for lessons in bulk
• Tutors are reviewed by students

Cons

• Free trials are at the discretion of the tutor
• The lessons can be short

How to Get the Most Out Of Your German Tutoring

To give yourself the best chance of mastering the German language, follow these tips.

Meet Consistently

Consistency is crucial in retaining information and building upon what you have learned in previous lessons with your German teacher. Try to avoid leaving long gaps between sessions.

Otherwise, you may forget the material and need to start over again, which can make the process longer and less enjoyable. Try to book lessons in advance so you can plan around your sessions.

Be On Time

Respect your tutor's time and make sure to show up on time for each session. Remember, you are paying for their time and should expect the same level of professionalism in return.

Arriving late can also cut into your session time, reducing the effectiveness of the lesson.

Do Your Homework

Always make time outside of tutoring sessions to do your homework. Writing is an excellent way to improve your language skills as it allows you to recall and focus on new vocabulary and grammar rules.

In addition to writing, reading in German can also be beneficial to your learning. Your tutor may be able to recommend the best materials based on your status.  

If you stay on top of your homework, your knowledge of the German language will improve faster.

Take Tests

Requesting exams or tests from your German tutor can help you track your progress and identify areas where you need to improve. Unlike in a school setting, these exams are not graded and are designed to help identify development areas in a constructive way.

A good time to suggest an exam from your German tutor is after the completion of a particular subject. Completing the test can test your recall of the lesson and if you’re absorbing the information correctly or need more time to understand the concepts.

Set Realistic Goals

Setting achievable goals is vital in keeping yourself motivated and on track to reach your language learning objectives. It can be tempting to set high expectations, but it's important to be realistic.

You should discuss your goals with your German tutor. They will have the expertise to know what is achievable within timeframes and what effort is required from you to meet these objectives.

Best Online German Tutoring Services For German Learners

It's true that there are many resources available online for those interested in learning German. German podcasts, German TV shows, and more can be found with a simple search, and many of these are available for free.

However, an online German tutoring programme can help you synthesise these bits of knowledge into practical skills. There's no better time than now to start the process of improving your language performance.

Whether your goal is to speak German fluently for work or just to visit the country and survive without the stress, the best time to start learning German is right now. So check out LanguaTalk, our top recommendation for finding the best German tutors.

The platform stands out for its ease of use, and unlike other sites, identifies the top 10% of talent. It also offers a 30-minute free trial session to new students, though a few tutors do opt to charge a small fee for this. Click here to see tutors' availability, videos and reviews.

Olly Richards

Creator of the StoryLearning® Method

Olly Richards is a renowned polyglot and language learning expert with over 15 years of experience teaching millions through his innovative StoryLearning® method. He is the creator of StoryLearning, one of the world's largest language learning blogs with 500,000+ monthly readers.

Olly has authored 30+ language learning books and courses, including the bestselling "Short Stories" series published by Teach Yourself.

When not developing new teaching methods, Richards practices what he preaches—he speaks 8 languages fluently and continues learning new ones through his own methodology.