Learning German

Knowledge of German helps in everyday life and at work. A common saying in German is: "Deutsche Sprache, schwere Sprache", which means "German language, difficult language." Therefore, never give up! For those that do not speak the language, a small dictionary with the most important words and phrases is a great help. Comprehensive dictionaries and textbooks, CD’s and cassettes are available in most good bookstores. For those who want professional help, German courses can also be taken in private or with other students.

Integration Courses

From 1st of January 2005, specific groups of recently immigrated foreigners have a legal right to take part in publicly funded integration courses. These integration courses comprise a 600-hour German course and an orientation course, in which basic knowledge is imparted on the German legal system, culture and history.

Foreign nationals from non-EU countries are entitled to take part in such integration courses if they live permanently in Germany or when they first receive a settlement permit ("Niederlassungserlaubnis") or a residence permit ("Aufenthaltserlaubnis") for the purpose of working (taking up employment or self-employment), bringing their family into the country (spouses, family members) or for humanitarian purposes (recognised asylum seekers according to Article 16a of the Basic Law and recognised refugees according to the Geneva Refugee Convention). This entitlement lasts for two years after arriving in Germany or for two years after being issued with the residence title. Immigrants of German origin ("Spätaussiedler") and their spouses are also entitled.

However, those who reside only temporarily in Germany or who already speak good German are not entitled. Children and juveniles who go to school are also not automatically entitled. The same applies to EU citizens. However, these can take part if there are still places available. Since, however, EU citizens may not be disadvantaged in regard to third-country nationals, it is not expected that any EU citizens would be turned away. If that does happen, you can seek legal advice.

Those who are unable to communicate in German even at a basic level, or are required to by the Immigration Office, have to take part in the integration course.

You can find out whether you can or even have to take part in an integration course at you Immigration Office. There you will receive a certificate entitling you to take part in the course and a list of language schools that run suitable courses as part of their programme. At the end of the course you have to take an examination. If you pass this test, you can, for example, be naturalised much more quickly.

Note: If you do not take part in an integration course although the Immigration Office requires you to do so, this may be taken into account when extending your residence permit. Your benefits could be cut if you receive Social Welfare Benefit ("Sozialhilfe") or Unemployment Benefit II ("Arbeitslosengeld II").

The costs for the integration course will be paid by the local authorities. However, depending on how financially well off you are, you may be required to contribute to the costs. The courses are free of charge for immigrants of German origin ("Spätaussiedler") and their spouses.

You can find more information at www.bamf.de or by calling 0911 - 943 63 90.

Language Courses

Even if you do not attend an integration course, you can of course improve your knowledge of German and choose between a variety of language courses. You can find out where language courses are offered at advice centres from charitable organisations, at universities or from the local town hall. There are also many towns and cities that offer German language courses at "Volkshochschulen", which are schools for adult learning. There may be an international cultural centre in the vicinity that offers language courses. Commercial language schools offering courses can be found in the Yellow Pages ("Gelbe Seiten") under "Sprachschulen" (language schools) or on the Internet.

Another possibility is a so-called "tandem course". A tandem is actually a bicycle for two people. But tandem courses don’t teach you how to ride a bike. The course gives you the opportunity to meet up with a native German speaker who teaches German. The tandem partner then introduces the other to his mother tongue. There are agencies in the larger urban areas that allocate tandem partners. You can also search for you own partner by placing an advert in your local newspaper.

The difference in price between various language courses is not always an indication of quality. In choosing a course, the number of teaching hours should be taken into account as well as the number of people per class. The course can be better and more intensive if the number of participants is lower. Commercial language schools also offer German language courses. The cheapest are usually offered by the "Volkshochschulen" and other state subsidised bodies.

You can find online German courses, for example, at www.redaktion-d.de or www.vhs-kampus.de.

Training and Further Education

In Germany there are numerous opportunities for adults to receive training and further education. You can receive training in businesses, technical colleges, colleges of higher education and universities.

Those who wish to study in Germany must fulfil both the admission requirements for the universities and the individual study courses. You can find out about the admission requirements, the recognition of school qualifications and the language knowledge required for admission, etc., from the German Academic Exchange Service ("Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst") at www.daad.de, the Application Services for International Students ("Arbeits- und Zulassungsstelle für internationale Studienbewerbungen", "Assist e.V.") at www.uni-assist.deand the Goethe Institute at www.goethe.de.

Adult education centres ("Volkshochschulen") (www.vhs.de) offer a wide range of courses providing general, cultural and vocational education. They are community education centres and are open to everybody.

There are private institutes and commercial educational establishments that can help should you wish to retake your school final exams, become professionally qualified or retrain for another profession. Business and church establishments are also very active in adult education. There is also the possibility of taking part in evening or distance learning courses that provide professional training. Distance learning can be done anywhere, any time. These incorporate the classic apprenticeship certificates ("Lehrbriefe") and increasingly new forms of "e-learning" to accompany the private study.

In almost all federal states, employees are entitled to paid educational leave, i.e. they are released from work for the purposes of continuing education. The only states that do not have laws allowing this are Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Saxony and Thuringia. The level of entitlement and the duration of the paid leave for the purposes of receiving political, professional or cultural further education differ from state to state. You can obtain further information from your works or staff council, the trade unions, or at: www.bildungsurlaub.de.