Language School
talk it easy!
... is located in the southern part of Cologne. From the main railway station, take the underground line 16 in the direction of Bonn / Bad Godesberg to the "Chlodwigplatz" stop. Line 15 also stops there. From Chlodwigplatz it is a 4-minute walk to TANDEM at Rolandstr. 57. Südstadt is one of the most popular neighbour-hoods in Cologne.
Our school is located in a former monastery and has 13 class-rooms on three floors, an open office and service area, free W-LAN access, a kitchen with beverage service and small snacks, as well as a beautiful, green inner courtyard. TANDEM Cologne is a member of the international TANDEM network, an association of independent language schools in seven countries. We are united by the idea of lively and effective teaching in a pleasant personal learning atmosphere. And our common quality standards guarantee you the best quality teaching and service everywhere.
Cologne/Bonn Airport has excellent connections. From there you can reach Cologne Central Station in about 15 minutes by S-Bahn line 19 and regional train lines 6, 27. TANDEM Cologne also offers a pick-up service from Cologne/Bonn Airport (CGN) or from the main train station. We will pick you up by car or taxi and take you directly to your accommodation (cost: 80 €).
The Deutschlandticket for trains and buses in Cologne and the surrounding area as well as all local trains throughout Germany costs just €58.00. You can buy KVB tickets online. For single journeys or a day or week tickets there are also ticket machines at stops or on the trains.
Arrival day is always the Sunday before the course starts, departure day is the Saturday after the course ends. If you would like to arrive earlier or stay longer, please contact us. Our office is open Monday to Thursday from 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 19:00. Friday from 10:00 to 16.00. During this time we will happy to answer any questions you may have.
We will inform you in good time when you should be at the school for check-in on the first day of the course. Classes are held Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 13:00 with a 30 minute break. The additional lessons of the IntensvPLUS or SUPER-Intensive courses take place before or after the Intensive course. Please be always on time! Our courses are communication-oriented, without neglecting the grammatical aspects of the language. Of course, listening and reading comprehension as well as written expression are also part of the course programme. But your personal interests and needs should also be part of the lessons. If you have any wishes, questions or problems, please speak up in class or in the office!
We try to find people from Cologne who will practise German with you. In return, they want to talk to you in your mother tongue. You can also look for a tandem partner via the TANDEM app or our Facebook community.
At the beginning of the week, we will inform you about the cultural programme of the week. We offer city tours, theatre visits, excursions, concerts, barbecues etc. Travel costs and entrance tickets are not included in the course price. The cultural programme takes place two or three afternoons/evenings a week in the summer months of July/August, otherwise once a week. Please always sign up in good time!
The rooms or flats we organise are at your disposal for the entire duration of the course. If you would like to extend the course and the rental period, please contact us or read our conditions. Please pay the rent directly to your landlord during the first 2 days if you have booked accommodation directly with Tandem and have not yet paid the money!
There are numerous restaurants, snack bars and nice and comfy cafeterias. as well very nearby Tandem. You can choose between German and international cuisine. A snack costs between € 5 and € 10, a simple meal costs between € 9 and € 15, and drinks cost between € 2,90 and € 5. The nearest one on straight on the corner is the cafeteria Pausenbrot, where you can have also very delicious vegetarian warm lunch and also sandwiches and salads. Also the cafeteria of the University of Applied Sciences is very close to TANDEM. You can eat very cheaply and well here. It's even cheaper if you have an international student ID.
Most supermarkets are open daily except Sundays from 7.00 to 21.00 or even until 24.00, smaller shops usually close earlier. Department stores are usually open from 10.00 to 20.00. On Sundays you can also buy the most important things at the kiosk or in the supermarket at the main station. Please note that if you are vegan, gluten-free or have other restrictions, you may not be able to buy at the kiosk. Supermarkets usually have a variety of options for different diets.
Money can be withdrawn day and night with a credit card at numerous ATMs throughout the city. Fees maybe charged. The banks are open from 9.00 am to around 4.00 pm. There is a travel bank in the main train station, where you can cash cheques or receive money via Western Union. The post office near by school at Bonner strasse is open daily from 9.00 to 18.00 and on Saturdays from 9.00 to 13.00.
If there are any problems, you can always contact us and we will try to find a solution together: If you are not satisfied with your lessons, feel free to talk openly to the teacher about it. If you are still dissatisfied, you can of course contact the office staff member in charge at any time. Even if there are difficulties in the accommodation, we recommend that you first address the grievances directly with the landlords. If the problem cannot be solved in this way, please contact the person responsible for the accommodation in the office. For contractual questions, the staff in the office are the contact persons. If the problem cannot be solved there, you can make an appointment with the school administration. If this meeting does not lead to a solution, please contact the coordinator of the tandem schools.
If you are attacked during your stay in Cologne and become a victim of physical or psychological violence, please call the police on 110. Of course, we will also be there to help you and accompany you if necessary, e.g. if you want to file a complaint.
If you get sick or need a doctor's appointment, contact the Tandem staff and we will help you.
Culture and events → www.cologne-tourism.com/experiences-lifestyle/events
Public transport → Cologne Public Transport KVB and Deutsche Bahn
Find a room by yourself → www.tandem-koeln.de/en
