Since January 2025, Sokodé, in the interior of northern Togo, has been home to a new centre for German as a foreign language. The Centre Interculturel Allemand offers courses from A1 to C1 and is also an ÖSD exam centre. Language courses and official exams of the Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch (ÖSD) are therefore available at the same location – in a region where no such offerings previously existed.

A key objective in establishing the centre was to make German exams available in the region. Before that, exam participants from northern Togo faced considerable challenges: a long journey to the capital, Lomé, in the south of the country, high costs and often waiting times as well. The Centre Interculturel Allemand aims to reduce these barriers – for the people of northern Togo and for those from the neighbouring countries of Ghana, Benin and Burkina Faso.

Greater equality of opportunity

Demand for German exams is currently growing rapidly. It is not always possible to meet this demand close to where people live in the region. For the centre, this is a question of equal opportunities: people who live far from Lomé should have the same educational opportunities as those in urban centres.

The Centre Interculturel Allemand therefore offers a complete educational package – from language courses to official ÖSD exams. There are plans to expand this offering further.

“Our learners have motivation and talent. What was missing until now was the opportunity to take an exam locally. People living in northern Togo should not have to travel long distances to take a German exam. That is exactly what we want to change,” explains Charlotte Samara, Director of the Centre Interculturel Allemand and ÖSD examination official.

Vocational training and study

The centre primarily caters for young people interested in the German language. Many of them would like to undertake vocational training or begin a university course in a German-speaking country. For this group, the Centre Interculturel Allemand also offers intercultural training where needed. This provides learners with additional preparation for living and working in a German-speaking country.

Courses and learning formats

Learners can choose from several formats:

• Intensive courses: A1 to B1 (2 months), B2 and C1 (3 months)
• Semi-intensive courses: 15 hours per week
• Evening courses
• Online courses

This allows learners to fit their classes around work, university studies and personal schedules. New courses start every two months. Those with prior knowledge can take a placement test and join a higher level directly.

After each sublevel, learners take an internal exam, both written and oral. These exams show what learners can already do and what they still need to work on. This enables teachers and learners to track progress closely.

Exam preparation and ÖSD certificates

In addition, the Centre Interculturel Allemand runs exam preparation courses for all levels offered. As an ÖSD exam centre, it enables learners to complete their courses with an official German exam at the same centre.

“Being licensed as an ÖSD exam centre brings everything together for our learners: they learn with us and take their exam with us. The German language certificate they then receive is internationally recognised,” says Charlotte Samara.

The following German exams can currently be taken at the Centre Interculturel Allemand ÖSD exam centre:

• ÖSD ZA2
• ÖSD ZB1
• ÖSD ZB2
• ÖSD ZC1

Interactive learning

Teaching follows a communicative approach. The centre’s teachers place particular importance on plenty of interaction in class and on learners using the foreign language themselves as often as possible. They combine various methods: task-based and lexical approaches as well as integrated grammar work.

Another option is tandem language learning. Here, participants at higher levels learn together with beginners. The teachers organise these tandems, which are well received by learners. Advanced learners consolidate their knowledge, while beginners gain confidence in speaking.

Qualified teachers, friendly learning atmosphere

Most teachers have already spent time in Germany. They therefore teach not only the language but also cultural knowledge based on their own experience. They are also in regular contact with native speakers. The Centre Interculturel Allemand places great emphasis on qualifications when selecting teachers.

The centre has bright classrooms that provide a good learning environment. A small library of German-language books is also being set up. It is being put together from book donations from Germany.

In addition to classes, the centre offers cultural events. These provide insights into German-speaking culture and connect language with everyday life. The Centre Interculturel Allemand follows a guiding principle: discovering language and culture should be enjoyable.

Contact

Centre Interculturel Allemand
Komah 1, noin loin du 23e BIR

gf@cial-de.com
Management: Yasser Yorou

Centre Interculturel Allemand on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.