Welcome to the German Program at the School of International Liberal Studies!
The German program at SILS has been awarded with Waseda University's e-Teaching Award!
Asynchronous and Ubiquitous Learning
The German program combines the benefits of face-to-face classes with a digital learning environment which enables students to learn and practice at anytime at anyplace.
Continuous Assessment
Instead of a single final exam, student's progress is continuously evaluated in a fair and stress-free manner.
Feeback
Teachers in the German program are continuously monitoring students' performance, provide regular feedback and actively support students with regard to competences development.
Why German?
Learning one language is not enough
In today’s world, speaking one foreign language is not enough. Students who speak several languages will increase their chances of finding a job, whether at home or abroad. Learning another language enriches the mind and opens up new horizons, both personal and professional.
Follow #studygermanmemes on Instagram for more reasons to study German!

A career asset
The ability to speak both German and English is an advantage for finding a job with the many multinational companies using German as their working language, in a wide range of sectors (engineering, automotive, IT, aeronautics, retailing, etc.). According to the Economist, knowing German will add will lead to accumulated bonus earnings of 125,000 euros. Germany, as the world’s fourth biggest economy, and attracts entrepreneurs, researchers and the best students from all over the world.
An introduction to an incomparable cultural universe
German is often considered the language of philosophy, fine arts and science. A German lesson is a cultural journey into the worlds of deep thought, design, the arts, architecture and science. Learning German also offers access to the works of great German writers such as Thomas Mann, Bertolt Brecht or Hermann Hesse and famous poets like Johann Wolfgang Goethe or Paul Celan, in the original text. Get in the linguistic mindset of some the world’s greatest philosophers and intellectuals like Nietzsche, Kant, Freud, and Wittgenstein and composers like Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart. Learning German means the pleasure of being able to understand the words of German songs composed by Franz Schubert, Robert Schumann or Kurt Weill and even sing them yourself.
A language that makes you sound cool and sophisticated
Even though French is considered the language most flattering to the ears, German is the language you will sound sophisticated and cool in at the same time. For people across Asia and Japan German sounds efficient, strong, and confident.
A language that is easy to learn for speakers of English
Contrary to popular belief, German is not a difficult language to learn. German is a sibling of English and shares many of the same Germanic roots with it. Therefore, if you know English well, German is easy to learn. Research shows that learners with advanced knowledge of English will be able to understand about 3000 German words. Moreover, German has a logical grammar system that help foreigners learn it quickly.
A language that opens up the world
After English, German is the second most widely used language on the internet, ahead of French and Spanish. An ability to understand German offers an alternative view of the world through communication with German speakers from all over the world and news from the leading German-language media with large free online platforms (Deutsche Welle, ARD, ZDF, ORF).
An advantage for studying in Germany
Germany has an excellent public education. And tuition is free in German universities, without a sacrifice in quality that comes with that. Many German universities are in the world’s top 100, many of those have exchange programmes with Waseda University (University of Heidelberg, University of Freiburg, Dresden University of Technology, Humboldt University Berlin etc.).
Germany offers various scholarships and support for foreign students. The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Association) funds about 120,000 people from all regions of the world, more than half of whom are women. The DAAD funding programmes provide scholarships which help finance a semester abroad, doctoral programmes and internships, guest lectureships, visits to information events, and even the establishment of new universities abroad.

German Program at SILS
Study at Your Own Pace!
The German Program at Waseda Univerity's School of International Liberal Studies allows you to choose between an Intensive Study Plan with four classes a week or more casual Study Plans with two classes per week. Beyond Language Classes, SILS offers courses in German Linguistics, and German Contemporary Social History together with an Advanced Seminar, which allows students to write their final thesis on a topic related to the German speaking countries.
Overview
German Language Courses
Study Plan 1. (Spring) 2. (Fall) 3. (Spring) 4. (Fall)
1 German 1 x 2 German 2 x 2 German 3 x 2 留学 / study abroad
2 German 1 x 2 German 2 x 2 留学 / study abroad
3 Intensive 1 x 4 Intensive 2 x 4 German 4 x 2 留学 / study abroad
Before Studying Abroad
  • Introductory Courses
    • Language Classes
    • German Language in Context: An Introduction to the Linguistics of German
    • Political Systems and Political Cultures in the German Speaking Countries
    • Game-based Language Learning: From Theory to Practice
  • Intermediate Courses
    • German Communicative Genres and Texttypes in Everyday Life and Academic Discourse: Preparation for Studying Abroad in the German Speaking Countries
    • The German Speaking Countries: Language & Society
    • Migration and Migration Discourses in Germany after 1945
After Returning from Study Abroad
  • Intermediate Courses
    • Youth Culture and Youth Language in Germany
    • Memory Culture and Memory Politics in Germany after 1945
  • Advanced Courses
    • Advanced Seminar (Covering Topics in Linguistics, Cultural Studies, Political Science)
    • Germany as a Democracy at risk? Confronting the Challenges of Populism and Authoritarianism
    • Language in National Socialism / Sprache im Nationalsozialismus
    • Course on Social Movements in Contemporary German History
    • Course on "Hate Speech" in German
(All Classes Taught in German and English)
Other events
Gasshuku (Field Trip)
Once a year, the advanced seminar goes on a field trip to discuss students' research and to celebrate its tight-knit community. Alumni also participate in the field trip and students can benefit from their experiences.
"Talent Café" by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry @ Waseda University
Get to know German companies!
AHK Japan introduced the German Chamber Talent Café for the first time in 2016. Held twice a year, the German Chamber Talent Café constitutes a platform where talented individuals and global companies can connect on a professional basis. The summer event aims at mid-careers who are searching for an employment with global companies in Japan. The winter event on the other hand is meant as a place for students of all backgrounds, ages and fields of study who harbor an interest in German business or Germany in general to be able to connect with and learn more about a number of global German companies.
(usually held in December)
"Research in Germany" - Information Seminar
Meet German universities, funding organisations and listen to Alumni experiences at Waseda University.
Find out more about:
  • Career opportunities at German universities – find out about their current research foci and special offers for junior scientists
  • PhD programmes – discover the different paths to achieving your goal
  • Funding opportunities - the good news is there are several options available to you in the German research environment
(usually held in May)
Courses Offered in the German Program at SILS
Spring Semester 2026 – Stundenplan
period Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
1st German 1-1 German 2 German 1-1 Intensive German 1 German 1-2 German 1-2
2nd German 4 Intensive German 1 Introductory: German Language in Context: An Introduction to the Linguistics of German (APM) German 4 German 2 Intensive German 1 Intensive German 1
3rd Intermediate: Youth Culture and Youth Language in Germany (APM) Intermediate: German Communicative Genres and Texttypes in Everyday Life and Academic Discourse: Preparation for Studying Abroad in the German Speaking Countries (APM) Advanced Seminar (Seminar on Clulture 07) Intermediate: The German Speaking Countries: Language & Society
4th Advanced: Germany as a Democracy at risk? Confronting the Challenges of Populism and Authoritarianism (in German) (APM)
Fall Semester 2026 – Stundenplan
period Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
1st German 1-51 German 3 German 1-51 Intensive German 2 German 1-52 German 1-52
2nd German 2 Intensive German 2 German 2 German 3 Intensive German 2 Intensive German 2
3rd Introductory: Political Systems and Political Cultures in the German Speaking Countries (APM) Introductory: Game-based Language Learning: From Theory to Practice Advanced Seminar (Seminar on Clulture 57) Advanced: Hate Speech / Hassrede, OR: Social Movements in the Contemporary History of Germany / Soziale Bewegungen
4th Intermediate: Memory Culture and Memory Politics in Germany after 1945 (APM) Intermediate: Migration and Migration Discourses in Germany after 1945 (APM)
5th Advanced: Language in National Socialism / Sprache im Nationalsozialismus (in German) (APM)
Student Voices
First Hand Experiences
Every year, 80 to 100 students study German at SILS. Some of them spend their year abroad in the German speaking countries and graduate as members of the Advanced Seminar on German Studies. Some of them have shared their personal experiences.
Shiori T
I had always been interested in German culture, and have been a fan of German classical music since when I was very young. I took German classes for the first time when I was in university. In class I learned more about Germany and decided to spend my year abroad at the University of Bonn.
Almost like Japan, Germany is extremely strict about its official and administrative processes. A person who enters the country for the first time, has to register his/her address (Anmeldung) in the local town hall (Rathaus), open a normal bank account (Girokonto), open a blocked bank account (Sperrkonto), contact a public health insurance company, and last but not least, apply for a residence card at the nearest foreigners office (Ausländerbehörde). As can be seen from the list, the very first week in Germany is very tiring, hectic, and at times, confusing. But it is very much worth it! During my year in Germany, I visited many sights, exhibitions and concerts as the tickets are very cheap compared to Japan. I also played in an orchestra, which gave me the opportunity to get to know many German students sharing my interest in classical music.
I travelled a lot in Germany and the whole of Europe. Germany is a very safe country. Crimes rates are very low compared to southern European countries, and law is strictly enforced. I also made a lot of friends in Germany, who have visited me in Japan. Whenever I am in Europe, I stay at their house.
I now work for a Japanese company doing business with Germany. My boss takes me to meetings, whenever we have German guests. Now working in Japan, I miss Germany very much. I think of quitting my job and enrolling in a Master's program at a German university.

Haruto S
Today everybody speaks English. Therefore, only with a second foreign language you distinguish yourself from others. I studied German, because I want to persue a carreer in business. And as Germany is the most influential country in the EU and its economic powerhouse, I chose to study German at SILS. The lessons are enjoyable and easy to understand, they cover reading, listening, grammar, vocabulary and conversation. The teachers were all passionate and made sure, we learned not only to read but also to speak. Finishing all courses in the program elevated my German to a B1 level, which was an excellent preparation for studying abroad. I studied German hard in Germany and after returning successfully took the Goethe-Zertifikat B2 test.
I also took the opportunity to get in touch with recruiters from German companies at the Waseda Talent Café organized by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan at Waseda University. I spent another summer in Germany for an internship at a major German company. I now work for a German company in Tokyo and will hopefully be sent abroad in the future.

Hina T
I have been interested in German literature and history since middle school, and from that time, one of my future goals for university was to write my graduation thesis in German. I received the chance to study in Hamburg for a year, and during my stay, I got to see and experience many aspects of German culture and history, specifically about German classical music. I was a member of the Waseda University Orchestra, and have been able to study German culture through the music we played. I am highly interested in the influence that German classical music had brought to the society at that time, and how it was sometimes manipulated to control the society. After graduating from SILS I started working at a major airline. Knowing a language other than English was a big asset in job hunting.

Sachiko H
I had been studying German for one and a half year. It started as a mandatory class at SILS, but soon it developed into a passion of mine. However, living and studying in Japan did not offer many opportunities to practice my German skills in real-life situations. After a lot of research, I finally decided to study at Germany’s oldest university: Heidelberg. Heidelberg is a beautiful, likeable city. As it was not bombed during the war it is pretty different from other cities in Germany; it almost looks like something out of a fairytale. The student life was fantastic with lots of activities on offer, which made it really easy to get to know people. Meeting others in my program from various other countries around the world was also a great learning experience for me.
I had never traveled to a foreign country alone before and I realized that I was getting myself into completely unknown territory. I felt very independent, even though I had grown up with parents who literally did everything for me. I found safety and walking around alone at all times of the day. Being on my own in a place completely unknown to me was something that I have always thought would make me very uneasy; but for some reason, I was just in awe by everything around me. This whole new world was a place that made me feel more at home than I do at my real home. I realized that I had been a lot more worried about studying abroad than I needed to be. All of the news and media shown in Japan and all of my parents’ worries about me getting sick, hurt, or lost had led me to become very judgmental about the world outside Japan. But now, all of these ideas that had filled my head as I prepared for this trip had been completely erased.
The people in Germany are always very respectful, warmhearted and friendly, even though the language barrier made it a little difficult to communicate with the people at times. One of the best things about living in Germany is the food. Sausages, Schnitzel, German bread, and last but not least the best Kebab in the world made my year abroad a wonderful culinary experience. I also enjoyed the very active German lifestyle. Young people are curious, enterprising, and adventuresome and there was always something to do.
Studying abroad gives you the opportunity to really learn about yourself and how to be independent! Germany will always have a place in my heart.

If you have questions regarding studying in Germany and want to talk to students who spent their year abroad in the German speaking world, the students of the German semi will be happy to help!

Get in Touch
Do You Have Questions?
If you have questions regarding the German program at Waseda University's School of International Liberal Studies, get in touch with the coordinator via: scharloth >>at<< waseda⋅jp

Become a member of the German speaking community at SILS!
Follow our Instagram channel: german_waseda or visit the Facebook page of the German Semi

Head of the German Program:
Dr. Joachim Scharloth, Professor of German Studies
Waseda University
School of International Liberal Studies

research interests: corpus linguistics, invective communication, discourse analysis, language and politics

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