Our Story

Literacy Courses was founded in 2010 with a simple yet powerful mission: to make literacy education accessible to everyone in Germany, regardless of their background, age, or previous educational experience. What began as a small community initiative in Berlin has grown into one of Germany's most trusted literacy education providers, serving thousands of learners across the country.

Our founder, Dr. Elisabeth Mueller, recognized that millions of adults in Germany struggle with reading and writing, often facing barriers to employment, social participation, and personal fulfillment. She envisioned an organization that would break down these barriers through compassionate, personalized, and effective literacy instruction.

Collaborative Learning
Student Success

Our Mission

We believe that literacy is a fundamental human right and the cornerstone of personal empowerment. Our mission is to provide high-quality, accessible literacy education that enables individuals to:

  • Develop strong reading and writing skills for personal and professional success
  • Gain confidence in their ability to communicate effectively
  • Access better employment opportunities and career advancement
  • Participate fully in society and civic life
  • Support their children's educational journey
  • Pursue lifelong learning and personal growth

Our Approach

What sets Literacy Courses apart is our learner-centered approach. We recognize that every student comes to us with unique experiences, goals, and learning styles. Our methodology includes:

Personalized Learning Plans

Each student receives a customized learning plan based on their current skill level, learning pace, and personal goals. We conduct thorough assessments to understand where each learner is starting from and create a roadmap for their success.

Experienced, Compassionate Instructors

Our team consists of certified educators with specialized training in adult literacy and language acquisition. Beyond their professional qualifications, our instructors bring empathy, patience, and a genuine commitment to student success.

Practical, Real-World Focus

We emphasize practical literacy skills that students can immediately apply in their daily lives, whether it's reading job applications, helping children with homework, navigating digital platforms, or pursuing personal interests through reading.

Flexible Learning Options

Understanding that our students have diverse schedules and commitments, we offer multiple learning formats including in-person classes, online instruction, evening courses, and weekend workshops.

Our Values

Compassion

We create a supportive, judgment-free environment where every learner feels valued and respected.

Excellence

We maintain the highest standards in literacy instruction and continuously improve our programs.

Inclusivity

We welcome learners from all backgrounds and work to eliminate barriers to literacy education.

Our Impact

Over the past 15 years, Literacy Courses has made a significant impact on the lives of thousands of individuals and families across Germany:

  • More than 5,000 students have completed our programs
  • 98% of our graduates report improved confidence in their reading and writing abilities
  • 85% of students seeking employment successfully find jobs within six months of program completion
  • Our students have collectively read over 250,000 books through our program
  • Hundreds of families have experienced positive changes as parents become better able to support their children's education

Community Partnerships

We believe in the power of collaboration. Literacy Courses partners with local libraries, community centers, employers, and social service organizations to extend our reach and better serve our community. These partnerships enable us to:

  • Provide free literacy classes in underserved neighborhoods
  • Offer workplace literacy programs for employees
  • Connect students with additional support services
  • Advocate for literacy funding and policy improvements

Looking Forward

As we look to the future, Literacy Courses remains committed to innovation and expansion. We are developing new digital learning tools, expanding our course offerings to include specialized programs for different industries, and working to reach more communities throughout Germany.

Our vision is a Germany where every person, regardless of their starting point, has the literacy skills they need to thrive in the modern world. We invite you to join us in this important mission, whether as a student, volunteer, partner, or supporter.

Ready to Start Your Literacy Journey?

Contact us today to learn more about our programs and how we can support your goals.

Get in Touch

Meet Our Team

Dedicated educators committed to your success

Dr. Elisabeth Mueller

Dr. Elisabeth Mueller

Founder & Director

Ph.D. in Education, 20+ years experience in adult literacy

Michael Schmidt

Michael Schmidt

Head of Curriculum

M.Ed. in Literacy Studies, specialized in adult learning

Anna Fischer

Anna Fischer

Senior Instructor

15 years teaching experience, creative writing specialist

Thomas Weber

Thomas Weber

Program Coordinator

Expertise in educational technology and program development