About Us

The mission of the Chicago Northern Suburbs D.A.N.K. German Language Schools is to provide in a fun and enjoyable learning environment:

  • The best possible German language education to students of all ages and ability levels
  • An understanding of the culture and traditions of Germany as well as those of Austria and German speaking Switzerland.

We are proud of our schools and encourage you and or your child to visit us and sit in during a class. We are sure you will enjoy the learning environment and feel confident about joining our schools.

The DANK (German American National Congress) Glenview Chapter was established in 1973. The chapter opened German language schools in Palatine in September 1974 and Arlington Heights in 1975. These schools, known as the Chicago Northern Suburbs German Language Schools, have been dedicated to offering excellent German language education to students of various ages and proficiency levels since their establishment.  In 2024 the Arlington Heights school was moved to Palatine.

Classes are offered from Pre-School, Kindergarten, elementary, high school through advanced adult levels. We are a team of dedicated and experienced Language teachers. Our class sizes are small with 7-9 students per class.

The school year runs from early September through the middle of May, with classes meeting once a week Monday evenings or Saturday mornings.

Classes are held at two times:

  • Saturday mornings from 9:30 am – Noon
  • Monday evenings from 5:45 – 8:15 pm

Both are at Palatine High School, 1111 N Rohlwing Rd, Palatine, IL 60074

Our young students have fun learning German through songs, games, stories, and poems. Our more advanced students receive instruction in vocabulary, grammar, reading, writing, and listening comprehension, as well as speaking.

Cultural events are organized for German-American Day, Weihnachten (Christmas), and Fasching (Carnival) and are regarded by students and parents as the highlights of our school year!

Kids German Language Examinations begin with students in levels 4 to 8.

The testing program includes the AATG National German High School Examination, the A1 and A2 exams, as well as the Deutsches Sprachdiplom 1 (DSD1) that are offered to qualified students.

NEW: Adults German Language Examinations are offered for beginners, intermediate, and advanced.

The testing program includes the AATG National German High School Examination, the A1 and A2 exams, as well as the Deutsches Sprachdiplom 1 (DSD1/B1) and Deutsches Sprachdiplom 2 (DSD2/B2) that are offered to qualified students.

We offer:

  • Spoken language and grammar
  • Reading and writing
  • Modern and traditional culture
  • All ages (Kindergarten through adult)
  • All ability levels
  • Weekly classes during the school year

The Federal Republic of Germany financially supports the DANK Chapter 26 as official schools of German language instruction.

We also receive funding and support from DANK, our parent organization.

The Agency for Schools Abroad (ZfA) supports our schools generously with useful resource materials.