Updated
Why many children in the intensive class at their regular school learn too little German
More and more parents come to us because their child is making hardly any progress in the intensive class or German “Förderkurs” at their regular school in Frankfurt am Main.
They see that despite many hours of German lessons, their child speaks very little, loses motivation, and becomes frustrated because they struggle to keep up and don’t really feel part of the class.
The problem in German intensive classes in your child’s regular schools
Participation in an intensive German course for children who do not yet know much German is mandatory in Hesse. However, it has become clear that these courses are often not enough to prepare children for the German-speaking environment at school in a way that allows them to keep up easily in class.
These are the main reasons:
Materials that are too difficult for children with limited German skills
The material is too difficult. Workbooks contain exercises with sentences that lack context, and new vocabulary is not explained.
Some children bring assignments from their intensive German course to our lessons because they need help with them. We have seen exercises that would normally only be used with adults at B1 or even B2 level. The vocabulary is so difficult and the material is not adapted to children in a suitable way that they often have no idea what they are supposed to do.
There Are Different Language Levels Within the Same Group
Unfortunately, we hear this very often too: “Our daughter is a beginner, but there are also children in her intensive class who are already much more advanced than she is.”
In a mixed-level course, children cannot receive the language support they need at their individual level. A child who is just starting to learn German needs other children at the same language level to speak with. If the others are much more advanced, the child automatically holds back and speaks less because they compare themselves with the others and don’t get enough opportunities to speak. This slows down the learning process.
There Is No Feedback for Parents
Parents receive no feedback on their child’s language progress. They want to help their child but don’t know how or where to start so that their child can gain access to the German language.
Consequences of insufficient German skills for school and social interaction
The children make little progress, and their self-confidence decreases. They don’t participate in class as much as they actually could, are afraid that other children might laugh at them, and become reluctant to go to school. They tend to stay in the background and don’t feel confident enough to engage in deeper conversations with other children because they constantly feel there is a language barrier.
Parents consider sending their child to a private school instead of a public school so that they do not fall behind or even have to repeat a year.
Conclusion
Without appropriate support, your child loses time, joy, and progress – this is exactly where our solution comes in.
The solution at SprachPassion – your language school in Frankfurt am Main
Individual support for each child
- Children’s German courses are offered 1:1 or only with their best friend or sibling on the same language level in a 1:2 setting.
- Materials and exercises are precisely tailored to the child’s language level and his interests.
We do not do homework assignments from their intensive course, as we do not consider this an effective approach. Instead, we follow our own teaching methodology and receive consistently positive feedback on the children’s language progress – from parents, teachers and, most importantly, from the children themselves.
Joy in speaking and learning
In our German course for children, the kids lose their fear of speaking German after just a short time. They learn more words without any pressure. Their motivation grows through clear, understandable tasks that are tailored exactly to their needs. They suddenly experience success and discover step by step that learning German can be fun. They start speaking more often on their own and with much greater confidence.
Qualified teachers for German as a second language
Our teachers are pedagogically trained and specialized in German as a second language. They work in a practical, hands-on way, explain clearly, and choose materials that match your child’s exact language level. At the same time, they observe each child closely, understand their interests, and design the learning materials accordingly.
🧡 Feedback from a mother: “My son (9 years old) is enthusiastic about the lessons thanks to your language institute and looks forward to coming to class every time. His teacher has even praised him for how much his German has improved, and that after only 12 hours.” This is how learning becomes easier, enjoyable, and it stays.
Regular feedback and parent support
- We provide regular updates to parents about their child’s language progress.
- Parents also receive practical tips for supporting their child at home, even if they speak little or no German themselves.
👉 Reading tip: Do you have questions about our children’s German courses in Frankfurt, for example:
- My child is shy – how can they still learn to speak German more confidently?
- How does your course differ from regular school lessons?
These and other questions are answered in our blog article:
“German Course for Children in Frankfurt am Main: Frequently Asked Questions (Part 2)”
Example from everyday life: a one-to- one German course for children
Ayaz (10) had been living in Germany for a year and was attending a mandatory intensive German course alongside his regular classes, 2-3 hours every day. He was very frustrated, and his mother said, “In Turkey, he loved going to school. But here, he really hates school. He understands very little in his German course and doesn’t like doing his assignments.”
His parents booked a 1:1 German course for their son with us. During the first few lessons, Ayaz’s answers were mainly “I don’t know” and “I don’t understand.” After 10 lessons, his parents happily told us, “At the weekend, Ayaz spoke to Santa Claus – in German!”
After around 20 lessons, there was an even bigger success: Ayaz’s German teacher praised him for having improved so much in German class and for participating much more actively. She said he even corrected her sometimes! Ayaz was really proud. ☺️
Now, in August 2026, his intensive course at school has ended, and he told his parents: “I learned my German at SprachPassion. I remember nothing from my intensive class!”
Act now: Make sure your child does not fall behind
Do not wait until your child falls behind. The earlier targeted support begins, the easier learning German becomes, the more confident your child will be, and the better they will succeed at school and in everyday life.
Enroll your child in our language school in Frankfurt am Main for a children’s German course – 1:1 or 1:2, individual, motivating, and effective. Secure your child’s spot in the right course in time.
👉 Reading tip: Your child is not yet in school and you are wondering whether they should already attend a German course at the age of 4 or 5? Then read our blog article “German courses for children aged 4-5 in Frankfurt: Learning German through play”.
German course for children in Frankfurt am Main – one to one lessons with SprachPassion
Schäfergasse 50 – 60313 Frankfurt am Main
+49 (0) 170 – 842 37 99
For more than 20 years, we have been your contact for learning and speaking German.
The children’s German course takes place right in the center of Frankfurt: S-Bahn and U-Bahn station “Konstablerwache”.
We also offer online lessons.
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