The Berlin Wall – Learn German and Experience History

Would you like to experience Berlin’s history up close after your German course? Very close to your language school at Alexanderplatz there are still remains of the Wall… You are welcome to take part in our free cultural programme to speak German after your German course, make friends and discover the history of Germany!

After the German course on an excursion into history – the Berlin Wall

If you take part in a German course in a lively and historic city like Berlin, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to go on an excursion through the city after your German lessons. The course participants will encounter the myth of the Wall in many places and learn a lot about the history of the city.

After World War II, Berlin became the focus of the world powers. The city was divided and thousands fled to the western part. The Eastern Bloc responded by building the Berlin Wall. The Wall was once 155 kilometres long and had 300 watchtowers. Today, the Wall has largely disappeared from the cityscape. But the traces of history remain alive in many places and are a good opportunity to practise your German.

The Wall Park

Where the Wall once divided the districts of Wedding and Prenzlauer Berg, course participants can now visit the Mauerpark. The recreational area along the former death strip is a domicile for athletes, jugglers and recreational musicians. People celebrate barbecues and visit flea markets here. A place made for language students – typically German and yet full of cultural diversity.

Checkpoint Charly

Checkpoint Charly was the most famous border crossing in Berlin. Only ambassadors and the GDR leadership were allowed to cross. Spectacular escape scenes took place at the crossing point in the city centre. An open-air gallery documents escape attempts and explains the function of the border fortifications. Those who want to learn more about the inner-German division should also visit the Wall Museum in the house at Checkpoint Charlie. The exhibition has been in existence since 1963 and, in addition to photos and documentation, visitors can also see a hot-air balloon or a mini-submarine used to attempt to escape to the West. The museum also serves as a memorial to the more than 1,000 people who died at the inner-German border.

Bernauer Strasse not far from the language school

Not far from the language school is Bernauer Strasse, once a focal point between East and West. The facades belonged to East Berlin, while the pavements in front of it already belonged to West Berlin. The Berlin Wall Memorial was established as a central place of remembrance and has existed since 1999. Of particular interest to language students is the visitor archive, where film and audio material can be browsed. From the viewing platform, you can see the remains of the former border fortifications. A Chapel of Reconciliation has been set up on the former death strip.

The longest open-air gallery

Berlin’s most bizarre gallery can even be driven through in your own car. Here, language students will experience that you can not only be creative with a paintbrush and spray can, but also make your mark. On a one-kilometre-long section of the Berlin Wall, more than one hundred international artists have given expression to their view of German reunification. The longest open-air gallery in the world is a listed building and a must-see when visiting Berlin.

Stasi Museum

Attending a language school in Berlin is a smart decision, because you’re guaranteed not to get bored after your German course. Visiting the sites of German division alone will take more than a day. The Stasi Museum opens its doors at the Normannenstraße Memorial. A look into the workrooms of the last GDR Minister for State Security, Erich Mielke, gives language students an insight into the workings of the GDR’s political system. The former State Security prison can be visited in Berlin-Hohenschönhausen. The guided tour through the facility is a particularly authentic experience, as former prisoners provide insights into the 200 cells and interrogation rooms. Language students listen intently to the stories of the people who were once considered political prisoners. State security determined everyday life in the GDR for forty years. Case studies at the Stasi Information and Documentation Centre (BSTU) show the extent of the espionage and manipulation that once emanated from the 90,000-strong organisation.

GDR Museum

You can experience a piece of Ostalgie on a trip to the GDR Museum. Even those who chug through the streets of Berlin in a brightly coloured Trabant can be transported back in time. If you study the history of Berlin, many of the terms used in class will no longer be foreign to you, and you will also understand the country and its people better if you study historical topics more intensively. This makes learning German fun!

DeutschAkademie, your language school in Berlin Mitte at Alexanderplatz and Wittenbergplatz

At the DeutschAkademie, you will not only learn German but also gain deep insights into German history and culture and take away unforgettable experiences. After your German course, your language school in Berlin will organise a varied cultural programme in which you are welcome to participate free of charge. You will speak German, make friends and understand Germany better. Your language school in Berlin is ideally located so that you can discover the most interesting sights of Berlin after your German course, with us or with your friends from your German course.

The DeutschAkademie is there for you twice in Berlin, at Alexanderplatz in Berlin Mitte and at Wittenbergplatz opposite KaDeWe, the famous department stores’ of the West. Effective German courses in small groups, quality, cheaper than ever and fun for success are the hallmarks of the DeutschAkademie.

Want to see more? Here we have collected sights for you that are up to 5 minutes away from your language school at Berlin Alexanderplatz!