I'd say there are three major ways of incorporating yourself into the German Language. First is learning at a bona-fide institution, whether in India or abroad, second is seeking guidance and attending classes held by various tutors or private institutes, either online or offline, and third is the self learning path.
Goethe Institut/ Max Mueller Bhavan
In India, we have the Goethe-Institut, named the Max Mueller Bhavan after the Indologist, a non-profit German cultural association, which promotes the German language, in as well as outside Germany, and encourages international cultural exchange and relations. It was founded in 1951 in Munich, later it was established in India in the 1950s. In 1957, the first “Max Mueller Bhavan” was inaugurated in Kolkata.
Although Goethe-Institut is not the only organization that promotes German language, many countries' cultural organizations offer similar programs. You might know some of them:
Alliance Française for French
Istituto Italiano di Cultura for Italian
Instituto Cervantes for Spanish
Russian Culture and Science Center for Russian
Consulate-General of Japan for Japanese... and so on.
In India, there are 6 Goethe-Institut in Banglore, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Pune and 5 Goethe-Zentrum in Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Hyderabad and Trivandrum. The main difference between the institute and the center is that the institute facilitates more courses, events, seminars, but the center only focuses on running courses and conducting examinations.
The Goethe-Institut offers Super Intensive, Intensive and Weekend Courses, for small groups, corporation and for kids. They offer the following courses: A1, A2, B1, B2.1 - B2.2, C1.1 - C1.2, C2.1 - C2.2. Earlier these levels were also known as Grundstufe I-II, Mittlestufe I-II-III and Oberstufe I-II.
Here, B2.1, C1.1 and C2.1 are internal levels, for which the examination is held by the Goethe instructors themselves. You receive a certificate of attendance upon completing the course from Goethe-Institut and a grade certificate after writing the examination.
Completing up to B2 is more or less similar to completing your degree program. Goethe-Institut offers the following courses to pursue after B2:
Goethe-Institut Prüfung Wirtschaftsdeutsch International (PWD)
This is a diploma that takes you through the professional world of Business German. However, it is not the same as 'Business Communication in German'.
Deutsch für Pflege- und Heilberufe
This course prepares you to work in the medical and healthcare industry in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. This is a free, online course available at Goethe-Institut Philippines' Website. Course prerequisite: B1/B2
TestDaF-Institut
TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache) is a standardized test for non-native speakers of German language. This test is somewhat similar to the ESL Tests (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE) where you receive your final grade in a band - TDN 3, 4 or 5, which corresponds to the CEFR Level B2–C1. Many universities will ask you to submit your TestDaF score, although not all. One can write this test at any Goethe Institute.
ÖSD - Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch
The Austrian counterpart of the Goethe-Institut. They also have their own CEFR Level Exams. The Goethe-Zertifikat B1, telc Deutsch B1 and ÖSD Zertifikat B1 are jointly developed by G-I, Universität Freiburg/Switzerland and ÖSD respectively. Any of these tests can be taken at ÖSD and Goethe exam centers. ÖSD exclusively offers C1 and C2 exam for teens up to the age of 16.
The European Language Certificates - telc
This is another organization that conducts CEFR Level exams. Although their exams are unheard of in India, they do have a center in Bangalore at Robert Bosch Engineering & Business Solutions. They offer exams for various learning goals, such as spouse immigration, economic migrant, medical professional and so on.
Indian Schools and Universities
Many Indian Schools offer German as a third language at secondary and higher secondary level. The CBSE and ICSE Boards follow the same book series 'Hallo Deutsch' by Goethe-Institute. Many universities offer a yearlong beginner to advanced (A1 to B2) diploma, as well as translation, interpretation for Tourism and Business German courses.
The Mumbai University offers a two year Translation and Interpretation Program for those who have completed their B2. Pune University has their own Department of Foreign Languages where they offer intensive and long term courses. The syllabus of all these courses is available on the universities' respective websites.
BA or MA in German is similar to pursuing B2 and C1. The MA in German Translation/Translation & Interpretation offered at JNU is one of its kind in India and perhaps the most sought after course by those pursue BA in German and wish to get into corporate to work as a translator, interpreter or a German language expert.
The Indo German Training Center offers a PG Program in Business Administration with German A1.
Indian and Non-Indian Private Institutes
Many institutes and independent trainers offer corporate training in Indian and Multi National Companies as well as offer courses for individuals and small groups all over the world.
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