General Integration Courses

Consultations for German courses

Consultations for German language classes take place from Monday to
Thursday between 9.30am to 5pm.

You can make an appointment by phone [phone]. Our advisors
remain at your disposal for enquiries also via E-Mail.

Closed on school holidays.

Overview

• What is an integration course?
• What are the benefits?
• Who can take part?
• How can you enrol?
• Taking the final test
• Repeating a course
• Attendance
• Cost
• Textbooks
• Reimbursement of inscription fee
• Courses overview

What is an integration course?

The integration course aims to promote the economic, cultural and social life of foreigners in the Federal State of Germany (Section 43 of the Residence Act). It consists of a 600 teaching units (45 minutes) language course, starting from a level A1 and leading up to level B1, giving you the necessary vocabulary to interact in the everyday life, dealing with authorities, interactions with your neighbours and peers, writing letters and filling out forms, followed by a 100 teaching units orientation course designed to provide you with information about life in Germany and knowledge about the country’s legal system, culture and recent history.
Your entry level will be determined by our advisors in an assessment test held during your registration.

What are the benefits?

Ausländer*innen, die aus einem nicht-EU Land kommen, müssen einige Immigrants from a country that does not belong to the European Union must meet certain requirements if they wish to obtain an unlimited right of residence in Germany. Among other things, they must have an adequate knowledge of the German language as well as basic understanding of the legal and social system and of living conditions in Germany. These requirements have been met when such persons have successfully completed the integration course. This could also allow them to acquire German citizenship earlier if desired.
Furthermore, it makes everyday life in Germany easier and improves your chances on the labour market.

Who can participate?

The Residence Act sets out various rules with regards to attendance at and paying for integration courses.
Information on whether you can take part in an integration course can be obtained from one of our advisors.
As a ground rule, anyone whose German skills are not adequate for the everyday life and belong to the following groups may take part in integration course:

• Immigrants who have already been living in Germany for a long period of time.
• EU citizens.
• German Nationals.

If you are not yet entitled to attend an Integration course, you may complete an application with the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. A Certificate of Eligibility is valid two years.

An obligation to attend an integration course may apply if:

• you received your residence permit after 1 January 2005, and you cannot make yourself understood in German at a simple, adequate level.
• you receive unemployment benefit II and the office from which you receive unemployment benefit II requires you to attend a course.

Children, adolescents and young adults who are still attending school may not take part in the integration course.

How can you enrol?

Registration for an integration course takes place with one of our advisors.
We will confirm your eligibility. In case you were not yet in possession of a Certificate of Eligibility issued by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugee, we will help you submit your application.
Our Advisors will then carry out an assessment test. The result will help us determine which stage of the course you should begin with.
Please bring the original certificate of eligibility.

Taking the final exam

The final examination consists of a language test (“German test for immigrants” (DTZ)) and the test relating to the orientation course (“Life in Germany” test). If you can prove in the language test that you have a sufficient command of German, at skill level B1, and if you pass the test relating to the orientation course, you have successfully completed the integration course and are awarded the “Integration Course Certificate”.
If you were not successful you will only be given a certificate confirming the results you achieved. Participation in the final examination is free of charge.

Repeating the course

In the event that you were unable to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of German in the language test, despite having attended the course regularly, you will be able to repeat up to 300 teaching units of the language course on a one-time basis and take the language test again free of charge.

Attendance

In order to achieve the set goal of the integration course, you should participate to the course in due form. This means attending the course regularly (80% attendance) and taking part in the final examination.
Consistent attendance is also important for the reimbursement of travel expenses or the potential repetition of lessons at a later date.
We will provide you with written confirmation of your participation at the end of each module.

Cost

You might be exempted from contributing to costs if you receive unemployment benefit II or social assistance, or if you find it difficult to pay the contribution because of your low income. You must establish this with your advisor upon enrolment. Please bring verification of your financial status (copy of the relevant certificate, such as a notification of unemployment compensation II, social benefits, etc.).
It is recommended to submit your application well before the course begins, as the costs exemption does not apply retroactively.
In case you qualify for a Certificate of Eligibility but are not exempt from contribution costs, the fee of each module must be paid upfront (prices set in accordance with the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees). However, you may be entitled to a partial reimbursement of the tuition fees.
Anyone without a Certificate of Eligibility may enroll without funding, providing there are still places available.

Textbooks

Specificities on the textbooks needed for the course will be given to you during the placement test. You will be responsible to acquire the books before the course begins.

Reimbursement of tuition fees

If you successfully completed the integration course, you may be able to claim half of the cost contribution, subject to the following conditions:

• no longer than two years must have passed since receiving the confirmation of eligibility to attend the course.
• attendance must be at least 80%.
• you must have passed both the “German test for immigrants” (DTZ) language test, at skill level B1, and the “Life in Germany” test.

Once all the previous conditions are met, you must submit and send a signed application to the regional office responsible for you.

Courses overview

• To integration courses
• To orientation courses