Thinking of taking online language classes with Lingoda but not sure how it works? German language learners share 30 things you should know before starting – based on personal experience!
Are you learning a new language in preparation for moving to work or study aboard? You’re not alone! We relocated to Berlin 3 years ago and were determined to master the German language for this exact reason.
Although we can’t quite say that we’ve ‘mastered’ the language. We definitely get full marks for effort! Over the years, we’ve tried as many ways to learn German as humanly possible.
From attending German courses at language schools, and learning German via Youtube, podcasts, and Netflix, to experimenting with language learning apps like Busuu and Duolingo.
And with the COVID pandemic, we’ve even ventured into the world of online language classes with the hopes of arriving at our final destination – to become fluent in German!
We often get questions from friends and family asking, ‘What is it like to learn German online with Lingoda?’, ‘Is Lingoda legit?’ and ‘How does Lingoda work?’.
So we thought we’d answer 30 of the most frequently asked questions we get on Lingoda based on our personal experience.
Disclosure: This Lingoda review is not sponsored but we did receive free online German classes as part of the free trial to write this guide. But whether a guide is sponsored or not, we always share our honest opinion.
What is Lingoda?
For those who have never heard of Lingoda before. Lingoda is an online language school based in Berlin – our current home city!
Lingoda works like traditional language schools, in that they offer CEFR structured (Common European Framework of Reference) language courses, issue official language certificates upon completion and teach in the same class format.
The only difference is that everything is done online! This means that you can LITERALLY learn a language, anytime, anywhere.
Do Lingoda Offer Online Language Classes with ‘Live’ Teachers
Yes – this is one of the major pros of taking online language classes with Lingoda!
You’re actually taught by a qualified teacher who is certified to teach you in their native language. Awesome, right?!
And what’s even more awesome is that these are live lessons. They’re not pre-recorded. So you can engage and ask questions like you would when you physically attend any language school.
Related Guide: What are the differences and similarities between taking online German classes VS attending a German language school? Find out all the pros and cons in our Online German Classes guide.
Are Lingoda Teachers Certified?
Absolutely! Every Lingoda teacher is a certified professional and we can personally attest to this.
We had 25 different German teachers over 2 months and can honestly say that Lingoda has some really great language tutors. We never had a single bad lesson due to a teacher not showing up or teaching poorly.
Lingoda has strict criteria for picking only native-speaking professionals that are certified to teach you the language. Each teacher also has at least 2 years of teaching experience before they can give online language classes on Lingoda.
Does Lingoda Issue A Valid Certificate?
Yes! Lingoda works like traditional language schools, in that they will issue you with an official language certificate when you successfully complete a language level.
Lingoda’s language certificates are valid for language learning visa applications. And most companies will also accept these certificates as proof of your language proficiency too!
So if you’re looking for an online German course that issues valid language certificates for working or studying in Germany, look no further!
Unlike traditional German language schools, you won’t need to write a final exam to complete your language course and be issued a certificate with Lingoda!
All you need to be eligible to receive a certified CEFR language certificate is to attend at least 90% of the online classes for your language level. That’s it!
Bonus Tip: Visa requirements can change. Always double-check with the relevant authorities whether a language certificate will be valid before submitting it for visa or immigration applications.
How Many Languages Courses Does Lingoda Offer?
We’ve only taken online German classes with Lingoda. But they offer 5 different language courses:
It’s true that Lingoda doesn’t offer as many language courses as other language learning platforms. But what they don’t have in quantity, they’ve made up for in quality.
We can honestly vouch for this after taking Lingoda’s German A2.1 language course for 2 months.
LINGODA PROMO DISCOUNT CODE
Get 30% discount off the first month of your Lingoda monthly subscription (not valid for 4 classes per month option)! Use the promo code: WIN2023 (only valid from 27 December 2022 to 31 January 2023) so don’t miss out!
What Language Levels Are Lingoda Courses Offered In?
You can complete language levels A1 (beginners) to C1 (advanced) on Lingoda for the English and German language courses. And language levels A1 to B2 for Business English, French, and Spanish.
Each language learning level consists of 50 classes (i.e. 50 hours).
This means that it takes 2 levels (i.e. 100 classes) EACH to complete language levels A1 and A2. Three levels each to complete B1 and B2 (i.e. 150 classes) and four levels to complete C1 (i.e. 200 classes).
What is a CEFR Language Level?
Understanding what a language level means can be a bit confusing if it’s your first time taking structured language classes. So here’s an example.
Language levels A1 and A2 are made up of 2 levels (i.e. 100 classes) each. That means 50 classes for language level A1.1 and 50 classes for A1.2. And 50 classes for language level A2.1, and 50 classes for A2.2.
Language level B1 has 3 levels – B1.1, B1.2, and B1.3. and so on.
Yes – it can sound a bit frightening how many hours are required to complete a language level. But the good news is that with Lingoda, you can complete these levels as fast as you want. The more lessons you do per week, the faster you’ll complete a language level.
At a traditional language school, a standard A1.1 course alone would take 1 month of classes. So you would need 2 months to complete just the A1 language level alone.
Bonus Tip: Not sure which CEFR language level you are? Don’t worry – you can do a free placement test on Lingoda to find out which level is the best for you.
What Is It Like To Learn German Online with Lingoda?
The format of online German classes with Lingoda works in a similar fashion to what a traditional, offline German language school follows.
Students are encouraged to read out loud, do exercises, answer questions and speak German in every Lingoda class as you would at any language school.
It can be quite intimidating at first. But these exercises really help you to get fluent fast!
Each class with Lingoda will either focus on vocabulary, grammar, reading, writing, or speaking skills. They’re usually structured around themes that are relevant to real-life situations so that you can get fluent faster.
For example, in the German A2.1 language course we took, the themes were going for a job interview, having a conversation over the telephone, going for an apartment viewing, and moving into a new apartment.
All topics that are incredibly useful if you’re planning to move to Germany!
Related Guide: Want to know our personal experiences learning German with Lingoda for 2 months? Read our Lingoda Review guide. We’ve shared 24 Lingoda pros and cons you should know to decide whether online language classes are for you.
Is Lingoda Good for Beginners?
Lingoda is great whether you’re an absolute beginner or have some knowledge of the German language (like us).
All classes are taught in the language that you’re learning. But don’t worry. If you can’t understand it all, the tutors are very happy to explain it in English too.
What Do You Need To Take Online Language Classes with Lingoda
It’s really easy to take online German classes or any other language course with Lingoda. The only things you need are a computer (or laptop), earphones, a webcam (you can also use your cellphone as a webcam), and a stable internet connection. And that’s it!
All classes are taught via Zoom. So you don’t need to pay to download any special software. And additional after-class exercises (i.e. homework) can be done directly on the Lingoda website.
What Learning Materials Does Lingoda Provide?
Lingoda provides you with all the learning materials. From the course work for each language level to all the after-class exercises that you can easily complete online.
We like the fact that you can easily preview and download each language lesson online before signing up. That way you can decide whether a group or private class is better for you.
Does Lingoda Offer Private or Group Classes?
You can take both group classes AND private classes with Lingoda. Group classes are obviously cheaper. But if you need to learn German (or any other language) as fast as possible, then private lessons are the way to go (more on that later!).
How Many Students Attend Lingoda Group Classes?
Lingoda limits its group classes to a maximum of 5 students. That way it ensures that each student gets an opportunity to ask questions and practice speaking the language they’re learning.
Are Lingoda Private Classes Worth It?
We tried 9 private online German classes on Lingoda and felt that they were absolutely worth it! Especially for complex German grammar lessons, practicing pronunciation, and improving your speaking skills.
Obviously, they are more expensive than group classes. But if you compared them to how much private German language tutors charge, then private online language classes with Lingoda are more affordable.
Plus, you won’t ever need to worry about being scammed by ‘tutors’ who are not certified to teach. Or worse – not pitching for your lessons and running away with your money!
Another pro with Lingoda is that you can easily customize your own private language classes. This comes in really handy if there’s a specific topic you want to focus on, like business German or specific terminology and phrases you’d need for a specialized job interview.
How Long Is a Lingoda Class?
Both private and group classes with Lingoda are 60 minutes long.
How To Book Online Language Class on Lingoda?
Booking an online class with Lingoda is super easy. Simply log into your account, click on ‘Book Classes’ at the top, and pick a class that fits your schedule.
Lingoda offers online language classes 24/7. So whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, you’ll find a class on Lingoda that works with your schedule.
Does Lingoda Have Peak Hours For Booking Classes?
We can’t say for sure. But based on our personal experience, it was much easier to book classes early in the morning (before 9AM) or late at night (after 9PM). The peak hours between morning and night tend to be booked up faster.
If you want to work a Lingoda class into your lunch break (or mid-day), we’d recommend booking a few days in advance.
How Much Is Lingoda A Month?
Now, let’s answer the big question: how much is Lingoda monthly, and what are the prices to take a Lingoda class?
The answer depends on which Lingoda language course you’re taking, whether you’re taking a group or private class, and how many online classes you’re doing per week.
If we use the Lingoda German language course as an example. The cheapest monthly option with Lingoda is as little as €60 a month for 4 online German lessons (€15 per class).
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And the most intensive German language course is €399 a month for 40 online classes (€10 per lesson). Not bad, right?!
We love that Lingoda offers a flexible pricing structure. This makes it easy to find a language course to suit your budget.
Here are the prices for the different language courses Lingoda offers:
Lingoda Prices For Group Classes: Monthly Plan
| Classes per Week | German | English | French/Spanish | Business English |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 class per week (total 4 per month) | €60 (€15/class) | €50 (€13/class) | €52 (€13/class) | €68 (€17/class) |
| 3 classes per week (total 12 per month) | €149 (€12/class) | €125 (€10/class) | €132 (€11/class) | €168 (€14/class) |
| 5 classes per week (total 15 per month) | €219 (€11/class) | €179 (€9/class) | €189 (€9/class) | €239 (€12/class) |
| 10 classes per week (total 40 per month) | €399 (€10/class) | €339 (€8/class) | €359 (€9/class) | €439 (€11/class) |
Lingoda Prices For Private Classes: Monthly Plan
| Classes per Week | German | English | French/Spanish | Business English |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 per week (total 4 per month) | €139 (€35/class) | €119 (€30/class) | €119 (€30/class) | €148 (€37/class) |
| 3 per week (total 12 per month) | €349 (€29/class) | €275 (€23/class) | €289 (€24/class) | €349 (€29/class) |
| 5 per week (total 15 per month) | €499 (€25/class) | €399 (€20/class) | €419 (€21/class) | €499 (€25/class) |
| 10 per week (total 40 per month) | €899 (€22/class) | €719 (€18/class) | €759 (€19/class) | €899 (€22/class) |
Get the latest prices for Lingoda language courses here before signing up.
Lingoda Discount and Promo Code
Not sure if taking online language classes are for you? No problem!
Lingoda offers a free trial where you can try 3 group classes or 1 private class for FREE. So you can give Lingoda a try, see how it works, and how you like it before signing up.
If you love it as much as we did, use our promo code NOMAD20 and get €20 off any online language course!
When Can You End Lingoda Monthly Plan?
With Lingoda, you pay for the monthly plan like you would at a German language school. This means that you pay to take classes for the next 4 weeks. Then you can take a break and only pay again when you’re ready for your next 4 weeks of classes.
Does Lingoda Offer Any Other Promotions?
Yes! In addition to the monthly plans listed above, Lingoda also offers another learning promo – Lingoda Sprint.
This promotion is specifically designed to help you learn German (or any other language) fast and stay consistent with language learning for a certain period of time.
What Is Lingoda Marathon?
Lingoda used to offer a promotion called the Lingoda Marathon (or the Upfront Payment Plan). It was a 3, 6 or 12-month learning plan where you could opt to do the marathon in group classes, or fly solo with private classes.
Unfortunately, Lingoda Marathon no longer exists. But you can still fast-track your language learning doing the Lingoda Sprint.
What Is Lingoda Sprint?
Lingoda Sprint, as the name suggests, is a 2-month course designed to help you speak a language confidently in 2 months. It’s intense – but if you complete Lingoda Sprint and attend all the classes, you’ll earn cash back!
How Does Lingoda Cashback Work?
You can earn 50% of your cashback on Lingoda Sprint (30 classes) and get 100% cashback if you do the Lingoda Super Sprint (60 classes). So if you love a good challenge, this is the one to go for!
The Lingoda Sprint promotion is only available a few times a year and the start dates are fixed. Make sure to go to Lingoda Sprint and sign-up on their waiting list. That way you’ll be one of the first to know when the next one will start.
Use the discount code NOMAD20 to get a €20 discount off the next Lingoda Sprint (first-time users only).
Lingoda Sprint Rules
In order to get cashback from Lingoda Sprint, you have to understand how it works and make sure you’re following the rules.
The Lingoda Sprint rules are:
- You have to attend ALL the classes before Lingoda Sprint ends to get cashback
- Book group classes only
- Only take classes during the Lingoda Sprint event
- Don’t be late for class – if you miss more than 10 minutes of any class, you’ll be considered absent from that class
- The cashback is 50% if you complete all 30 classes on Lingoda Sprint
- The cashback is 100% if you complete all 60 classes on Lingoda Super Sprint
And that’s it! Read the full list of Lingoda Sprint Rules before signing up.
Lingoda Sprint Prices
Before we jump straight into prices. Let’s explain how the payment terms for Lingoda Sprint works as it’s different from their monthly plans.
For Lingoda Sprint, you’ll need to pay a €49 deposit to register and secure your spot. Once Sprint begins, you’ll have to pay the remaining 50% at the beginning of month 1 and the other 50% at the start of month 2.
| Lingoda Sprint (Group) | German | English | French/Spanish | Business English |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lingoda Sprint (30 classes in 2 months) | €420 (€14/class) | €380 (€13/class) | €380 (€13/class) | €420 (€14/class) |
| Super Sprint (60 classes in 2 months) | €760 (€13/class) | €640 (€11/class) | €640 (€11/class) | €760 (€13/class) |
What Happens When You Cancel or Miss A Lingoda Class?
Similar to attending German language school, if you miss a class with Lingoda, you still have to pay for it. It’s only fair since you’re technically still taking up a teacher’s time. But unlike in traditional language schools, you can still catch up on the missed class by using your class credits.
How To Cancel A Class on Lingoda?
There are two ways that you can legitimately cancel a Lingoda class without ‘losing’ money (i.e. get the class credit back) though:
- Cancel the class at least 7 days before it’s scheduled, or
- Cancel the class within 30 minutes of booking it (even if it’s within the next 7 days).
Does Lingoda Have An App?
No, there is no official Lingoda app. Unlike a language learning app, Lingoda offers online language classes with ‘live’ teachers – so an app simply wouldn’t work or do it justice.
Related Guide: How does Lingoda compare with language learning apps like Duolingo and Busuu? Find out the pros and cons in our Lingoda VS Duolingo and Busuu guide.
Does Lingoda Offer A Free Trial?
Yes – Lingoda does offer a free trial where you can take either 3 group classes or 1 private online language lesson for FREE. So give it a go, find out how Lingoda works first hand. You have nothing to lose and a lot to gain!
And if you’re sold after trying the free trial. Make sure to use our promotional code NOMAD20 to get a discount on your Lingoda language course!
Bonus Tip: Did you know that language courses are a tax-deductible expense? Yup – as long as you can substantiate why it’s relevant for your job. So make sure to include this if you’re working as a freelancer in Germany.
Is Lingoda Worth It?
And now for the final question – is Lingoda worth it and can you get fluent taking classes with Lingoda?
In our honest opinion – YES!
Doing an online German course with Lingoda is more expensive compared to a language learning app. But it’s significantly more effective if your goal is to speak and become fluent in a language as quickly as possible.
Personally, our German has improved dramatically after taking online classes with Lingoda. The reading and speaking exercises really helped our pronunciation and to speak German with more ease.
We no longer stare like a deer in the headlights with panic when a stranger speaks to us in German. And in fact, are able to respond back in German with relatively few mistakes!
We can’t explain how empowered and accomplished we feel knowing that it’s possible to make such big progress in just 2 months! And we’re extremely excited to continue improving our German language skills. If we can do it – so can you!
