I have been learning German at Colón for over a year and a half, and couldn't have been happier…read more Before coming to Germany, I studied a year and a half at Tel Aviv's Goethe Institute. Upon coming to Germany, I looked to find a school which rivaled Goethe in level and quality, as the Goethe Institute is extremely expensive in Germany. Colón, I am glad to have discovered, rivals The Goethe Institute easily, for study of German as a foreign language.
Colón conducts it's lessons, levels and tests according to EU standard - this means that if you finished a certain level at another school which recognizes this European standard, you can fit in snuggly at Colón. This includes all standard levels from A1 through to C2, and additional certifications such as German for Business and all Zertifikat Deutsch tests (more info about tests is on their site).
I find the Colón staff to be helpful, friendly and patient (which is important, when you barely speak German). The quality of the teachers at the school vary - some of the teachers I have had experience with were extremely & surprisingly good teachers. Some others, I felt, were a little lacking in the patience and consideration department. This happens everywhere - and is not entirely Colón's fault, but I have heard more than one horror story from a friend who's teacher at the school was having a particularly bad day. To the teacher's defense - I find my teacher to be a remarkable, educated and interesting woman, who has been one of the only familiar faces I got used to during my first months in Germany.
Prices at Colón, as a private school, are slightly higher than the community schools, but still well affordable. A morning or evening course, 3 times a week, 1.5 hours each meet is about 155eu a month.
What I like about Colón is that along with the language studies, it encourages it's students to participate in cultural events and mingle. The school has a movie night at a nearby cinema once in a blue moon where it shows movies in easi(er) German, there are organized field trips, and a social round table for students every week at a nearby cafe.
Besides teaching (11 different) languages, Colón is also an international bookstore and a travel center. It provides an affordable health insurance plan for students, as well.
I feel I owe Colón a lot - it was, and remains difficult for me as a foreigner in Hamburg, Colón helped soften the blow, introduce me to others who are/were in my situation, and made everything just a little easier.
