Although the official language of Frankfurt is German, you will quickly notice that there are many phrases and words used in Frankfurt that are no easily understood in other parts of Germany. This is because most Frankfurters speak a dialect called Frankfurterisch, which is related to the Hessisch dialect. Still, learning classic German will help you communicate with the locals, as they understand German as well as Frankfurterisch.

In business, professional, and tourism circles, most of the citizens of Frankfurt also speak English. Within the city center, you will have little difficulty communicating , even if you are not fluent on German. Outside of the city center, English is less common, although many commuters in upscale neighborhoods such as the Westend district are able to understand the language.

English is also common in areas with high concentrations of expats, such as the Sachsenhausen and Bornheim districts, and the Bockenheim neighborhood.

Although you can get by in Frankfurt without learning the German language, you will find that locals, particularly outside of the city center, will be more receptive and more willing to assist you if you make an attempt to converse in their native language.

There are several well respected German language schools in the city of Frankfurt. One of the most popular schools for expats is the Sprachcaffe Language School, located near downtown Frankfurt. Sprachcaffe offers an intensive German language program, focusing on conversational skills in addition to basic language mechanics. Since the school is situated near a variety of pubs, cafes, and shops, you will have many opportunities to practice your German in real world settings.

Sprachcaffe also offers instruction in several other languages, including Spanish, French, Italian, and Chinese, so if you enjoy learning languages, you can continue broadening your language horizons here.

You can contact Sprachcaffe Language School via telephone at +356 70 1000, or visit their website at www.sprachcaffe.com.

Language Studies International also offers German language instruction through a series of courses designed to establish the basics and then build upon them. This school is located near the famous Zeil shopping area, and offers organized excursions to help you build your German language skills in practical settings.

Here is the contact information for Language Studies International in Frankfurt:

Language Studies International

Zeil 107

60313 Frankfurt

+49 (0)69 20309

www.lsi.edu/en/frankfurt.html

A third popular option is the Goethe Institute, located in the Sachsenhausen district opposite the Sudbahnhof railway station. This school combines classroom instruction with self directed study utilizing multimedia resources and materials. Coursework is supplemented by a cultural and recreational program, designed to help you integrate into the culture of Frankfurt.

Here is the contact information for the Goethe Institute:

Goethe-Institut

Diesterwegplatz 72

60594 Frankfurt

www.goethe.de