The Sprachinstitut Tübingen SIT (Language Institute Tübingen SIT) is part of the Internationaler Bund (IB) e.V., founded in 1949 in Tübingen. Today, the IB is one of the largest service providers in the fields of youth, social and educational work. The IB stands for diversity, integration and equal opportunities and is committed to supporting people of all ages in all aspects of life.

From the beginning, the SIT has focused on education and language:

• Starting in 1951: Education and training for youth in the post-war years
• From the mid-1960s: German courses for young French citizens and guest workers from Turkey, Greece and Italy

Over the years, the audience has become increasingly international:

• Exchange programs with American universities
• Specialized language courses, for example for hotel and hospitality professionals
• Starting in 1977: Language courses for German resettlers from the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe and asylum seekers
• From 1988: Language courses and specialized courses for executives of the German Foundation for International Development (DSE), with numerous scholarship holders from all continents (from South America to Africa, from Nepal to Indonesia and the Middle East)

In addition to providing language instruction, the SIT has also established itself as a center for language certification:

• Since 2002: for telc (European Language Certificates)
• Since 2007: for g.a.s.t. (TestDaF, DTZ, onSET)

The SIT has also been active in the training and further education of teachers:

• Since 2005: Additional qualification for teachers of integration courses
• Since 2020: Additional qualification for teachers of vocational language courses

For over 20 years, the SIT has also been organizing group programs for school and university students from Europe and overseas, accommodating approximately 35 school groups per year.

Driven by global economic and political developments, the SIT has been commissioned by the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and the Tübingen District Administration Office (Landratsamt) to conduct publicly funded language and vocational language courses for migrants and refugees since 2012.

Over 50 years of experience in language courses and training of educators – this long-standing tradition is reflected in our teaching methods. Our didactic focus is on communication and context-appropriate linguistic actions in everyday and professional settings. Thematic lessons form the basis for integrating grammatical structures through cyclical progression, repeatedly addressing their use and meaning within practical language activities. We approach our students individually and in a differentiated manner according to their needs. Our team of teachers and socio-pedagogical specialists also welcomes consultations outside the classroom.