The newest member of the Carl Duisberg group of companies is the S + W speak + write gGmbH language school in Marburg. S + W speak + write has been offering courses for over 30 years, and in that time, it has welcomed more that 300,000 course participants from over 150 countries – helping them to pursue their educational goals whether it be preparing for university studies, a research post, work placement in Germany, or language exams for admission to German universities.

With the purchase of this educational service provider in Hesse, we have been able to expand our portfolio with a rigorous program of courses for our participants learning German, set in the historical ambience of the University town of Marburg.

S + W speak + write’s course program brings together many years of experience with high quality standards and a personal learning atmosphere – all this with a special focus on academic target groups. The school has been managed by its founder Jürgen Kalinna since 1988, and since joining the Carl Duisberg group of companies, Jürgen Kalinna and Dr. Kai Schnieders, the managing director of the Carl Duisberg Centren gGmbH, have been managing S + W speak + write jointly.

S + W speak + write offers you a first-class German course, and – if you wish – we can also provide you with carefully selected accommodation options. In Marburg, you have the choice between our own guest apartments, shared apartments with students from the University of Marburg, and private accommodations. Upon request, we can also help you book a hotel room or refer you to a real estate agent should you wish to rent an apartment. 

All types of accommodation are selected for you based on your individual needs. They are a maximum of 8 km away from our training center, and thanks to our central location, you’ll be able to easily reach S + W speak + write and the city center in less than 30 minutes by public transport.

Guest Apartments
In our guest apartments, you’ll be able to enjoy a unique international atmosphere. You’ll have your own simple, functional single room. You’ll share a bathroom (shower/toilet) and kitchen with a maximum of three other residents.

Services:
Single room with shared bathroom/toilet and kitchen
Bed linen is provided
Self-catering
Wi-Fi
Distance to S + W speak + write a maximum of 20 minutes with public transport
Shared Student Apartments
One very popular option is a single room in a shared apartment with students from the Philipps University Marburg. These are rooms that belong to students who are themselves spending a term abroad or are not using their rooms during the semester breaks. It has been our experience that when participants in our language courses live with German students their own age, they benefit greatly both in terms of improving their language skills as well as expanding their sociocultural competencies.

Services:
Single room with Internet access
Shared use of the bathroom and kitchen
Bed linen
Wi-Fi
Distance to S + W speak + write a maximum of 20 minutes with public transport
Private Accommodation
You’ll live with homestay families (singles/couples – with or without children) in Marburg. You’ll have a friendly, furnished single room, some of which have TV and Internet access. You will share a bathroom and kitchen as well as other communal areas. If you wish, you can book either breakfast or half-board (breakfast and dinner) with homestay families.

Services:
Single room with Internet access
Breakfast or half-board (breakfast and dinner) if requested
Shared use of the bathroom and kitchen
Bed linen and towels
Distance to S + W speak + write a maximum of 20 minutes with public transport

Marburg a university town
The cosmopolitan university town of Marburg is beloved by students and visitors from all over the world for its unique atmosphere. Marburg’s rich history, with sites such as the old town on the Lahn river, St. Elisabeth’s Church, and Marburg Castle, combined with the university flair and the beautiful, pristine countryside surrounding the city all make it an attractive destination for visitors from Germany and abroad.

Sightseeing
From St. Elisabeth’s Church in the valley beautifully renovated timber-framed houses and venerable old churches, traditional cafes and student bars line the way up the hill. In the upper part of the old town, it’s as if you’ve been transported into another time. Here you can really get a feeling for the Medieval city, not just the sights but experiencing it with all your senses.

The City’s Rich Past
Start your tour through this university town with a youthful vibe and long-held tradition in the narrow, meandering, and steep streets of the Medieval old town spread out around the city hall and the market square. The historical sights found all over the old town invite you to discover the city’s rich past, and you can really become lost in the fairytale atmosphere that seems to hang over the city when you retrace the steps of the brothers Grimm, who began work on their world-famous collection of fairytales right here in Marburg at the beginning of the 19th century.

University Flair
Of course, one of the most significant forces shaping Marburg over the centuries has been the Philipps University founded in 1527, and even today, Marburg’s character can best be captured by the oft-heard saying: “Marburg doesn’t just have a university, it is one!” Today Marburg has around 80,000 inhabitants of which currently 25,000 are students from all over the world. As such, the life of the city revolves around the University and its students.

All in all, Marburg and its University offer our international guests the ideal introduction to life in Germany, in that it is a manageable size but not lacking in urban refinement, culturally diverse and at the same providing an interculturally open environment.

Region
The state of Hesse has many facets and fascinates with surprising contrasts. Urban metropolises or charming small towns – both can be found in Hesse. Around 350 castles and palaces, more than 300 museums, abbeys, parks, and formal gardens as well as numerous cultural events await you.

In a radius of just 100 kilometers around Marburg, there are numerous excursions for daytrips and weekend tours. Above all, Frankfurt with its skyline full of the largest skyscrapers in Germany attracts numerous visitors to many high-profile events. You will also find many other interesting sights that are worth a trip such as the Frankfurt Cathedral, St. Paul’s Church, the Goethe House, and art fans can visit numerous renowned museums on both banks of the Main river.

Traveling north, you reach Kassel, home to the world-renowned documenta art festival and the UNESCO world heritage site Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe, which is the largest landscape park in Europe with its Hercules Monument and baroque fountains. The art gallery in the Schloss Wilhelmshöhe palace, which has one of the most important art collections in Germany, is also a must see in Kassel.

Hesse is also known for its old-grown forests, blooming orchards, and romantic rivers, and all this unspoiled nature is found alongside pulsing urban life. Here you can embrace your active side and explore the region on bike, while hiking, or on the water.

Learning German at S + W speak + write in Marburg means doing more than just going to class. Our monthly workshops offer participants across all our courses the chance to build on what they’ve learned in their regular courses. In these afternoon workshops, you’ll leave behind the classroom setting and also have the opportunity to hone your language skills outside of class under the guidance of our experienced trainers. The workshops cover a wide range of topics: theater workshops, literature workshops, projects on German culture and history, student newspaper projects.

Group Activities for Participants
Our team at S + W speak + write also organizes a free-time program for our course participants, which changes on a weekly basis. There are a range of activities: museum visits, sports, city tours, excursions, grill parties, or a tour of local bars with participants from around the world.

Thriving Cultural Scene
Last but not least, Marburg has something for everyone from its thriving cultural scene with cinemas, the Hessian State Theater, cabaret theaters, and galleries to its sport facilities, swimming pools, and attractive shopping opportunities.