Learning Luxembourgish for free: the public resources

Yes, you can learn and revise Luxembourgish largely with public resources. The LOD dictionary is available online, the INLL publishes sample tests, linguistic leave allows working people to take classes during working hours, and the Sproochentest fees and the fees for certain courses can be reimbursed under certain conditions, after the nationality application has been submitted.

The LOD dictionary: vocabulary and pronunciation

The Lëtzebuerger Online Dictionnaire (LOD) is a five-language dictionary published by the Zenter fir d’Lëtzebuerger Sprooch, which reports to the Ministry of Education. Its data is published under the free CC0 licence on the Luxembourg open data portal, with pronunciation audio files for the entries and recorded example sentences.

How to use it for the Sproochentest:

• for each interview topic, look up about twenty words and listen to their pronunciation;
• repeat the example sentences out loud;
• check the gender and plural of the nouns you use often.

The sample tests published by the INLL

The INLL’s Sproochentest page offers freely accessible material:

• example interviews, including this document;
• photos to describe;
• a listening recording, with the answer sheet and the answer key;
• the speaking assessment grid and the tablet instructions.

These documents show exactly what the test looks like. Start with them to gauge your level. Our article Is the Sproochentest difficult? helps you use them.

Luxembourgish courses

According to the INLL FAQ, the INLL does not offer specific courses for nationality: these courses are organised by the Service de la formation des adultes (SFA) or its contracted providers. The SFA offers Luxembourgish courses throughout the country (Ministry of Education), and the INLL teaches Luxembourgish among ten languages (INLL overview).

The pages consulted do not publish a single price list: fees depend on the provider. To find a course, the ministry refers in particular to unipop.lu and lifelong-learning.lu. Remember to keep your receipts showing the number of hours attended: you will need them for reimbursement (see below).

Linguistic leave: learning during working hours

Linguistic leave is for learning Luxembourgish or improving your knowledge of it. The key points:

• Who: employees of an employer established in Luxembourg with at least 6 months’ service, and self-employed workers or members of the liberal professions active in Luxembourg for at least 6 months. There is no age or residence requirement.
• Duration: a maximum of 200 hours over your whole career, in two blocks of 80 to 120 hours. You must pass a diploma or certificate at the end of the first block to access the second.
• Allowance: employees receive an hourly allowance equal to their average hourly wage, capped at four times the hourly social minimum wage for unskilled workers. The employer pays it and the State reimburses 50% of it to the employer.
• Procedure: a form to send to the Ministry of Labour before the courses start, after obtaining the employer’s opinion in the case of employees.

Reimbursement of exam and course fees

According to the preliminary conditions on guichet.public.lu, you can ask the Ministry of Justice, under certain conditions, to reimburse:

• the Sproochentest registration fee, set at €75;
• the registration fees for Luxembourgish courses whose curriculum is approved by the Minister of Education.

Timing matters: the request can only be sent after you have submitted your nationality application to the civil registrar of your commune. The reimbursement form (in French) asks for the INLL receipt or proof of payment for the exam, the course receipts showing the number of hours and the amount paid, and your bank details. Guichet.public.lu states that 24-hour courses run by private bodies set their own fees.

Other useful support

The Vivre ensemble course

Registration for the 24-hour course is free, according to guichet.public.lu. It takes place in Luxembourg-Hollerich, Esch-Belval and Diekirch, and online in English (Ministry of Education).

The citizens’ pact (Biergerpakt)

Open to any adult who lives or works in Luxembourg, the citizens’ pact includes an introductory module of at least 4 hours, a module of at least 6 hours presenting the country and language modules aiming for at least level A1.1. A certificate for a module of at least 6 hours exempts you from the history module of the Vivre ensemble course.

The free resources on our site

On my-sproochentest.lu, the 10-question Vivre ensemble mini-quiz, the INLL session calendar and our guides are free. For exemption cases, read Who is exempt from the Sproochentest?

How to combine these resources

1. Assess your level

   Try the INLL examples to measure the gap with the expected level.

2. Learn with a course

   If you are a beginner, take a course; apply for linguistic leave if you work.

3. Revise every day

   Use LOD for the vocabulary and pronunciation of your topics.

4. Practise the format

   Before the test, take mock exams under test conditions.

5. Keep your receipts

   Apply for reimbursement after submitting your nationality application.

Public resources cover the learning; what remains is practising the test format. Start with the free Vivre ensemble mini-quiz, then discover our packs: the Vivre ensemble pack (€25) is available now, and the Sproochentest pack, with its spoken and written practice, will open soon.

Frequently asked questions