German for Professional Purposes

Consultations for German courses

Consultations for German language classes take place from Monday to Thursday between 9.30am to 4pm.

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 a course for professional purposes?
• What are the benefits?
• Who can take part?
• How can you enrol?
• Taking the final test
• Repeating a course
• Attendance
• Cost
• Textbooks
• Travel expenses allowance
• Courses overview

What is a course for professional purposes?

The vocational German language promotion for professional purposes in accordance with section 45a of the Residence Act is implemented by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees and builds directly onto the integration courses (§43 of the Residence Act), in which you learn colloquial German.

A distinction is made between basic modules (with target language level B2, C1 or C2) and special modules (with target language level at skills B1 or A2).
A basic module usually comprises 400 teaching units (45 minutes), unless you require special preparation for the certification, in which case it will be a total of 500 teaching units.

Through this course you will gain insight into the world of work, with topics such career orientation, initial and further training, job search, legal terms and working conditions as well as dealing with the media.

What are the benefits?

A vocational language course will improve your communication skills in a professional context, increasing your chances on the labour market. The course focuses on broadening your basic knowledge of employment and careers and become acquainted with the idiosyncrasies of working in Germany, tackling subjects such as employer-employee relationships, rules around termination of a contract or search for a relevant training through the Jobcenter database.

Who can take part?

Any EU citizens, Germans with a migration background and immigrants (including refugees who are in the recognition process and have good prospects of remaining in Germany) in need of further language who:

• have already completed an integration course and/or already speak German at level B1, B2 or C1 under the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). In case you are not in possession of one of those documents, a test is carried out before registration.
• need to obtain a certain language level in order to achieve professional recognition or access your occupation.
• are looking into a career change.
• wish to acquire higher level of language proficiency in order to access a qualified position in a non-regulated profession.

If you are not registered as unemployed or looking for work at a Jobcenter or the Bundesagentur für Arbeit you may also take part in a professional language course under the following conditions:

• You are employed.
• You require a certain language level in addition to the recognition of a foreign professional qualification or the issue of a professional permit.
• You are completing a vocational training.
• You wish to prepare for a vocational training.
• You are a parent with a residence permit according to section 45a Paragraph 2 Sentence 3 No. 2 of the Residence Act i. V. m. Section 11 (4) sentences 2 and 3 SGB XII.

To register for an individual module, you need a written and dated authorization issued by the competent authorities (Jobcenter, Bundesagentur für Arbeit or Federal Office for Migration and Refugees).

People who start a university course in Germany or want to improve their German language skills during their studies or doctoral studies do not belong to the target group of this course.

How can you enrol?

If you are entitled to attend a professional language course (basic or special), and in possession of a language certificate, one of our advisors will confirm your placement in a course. In the event that you did not have a language certificate, our advisors will then carry out an assessment test.
The entitlement to attend is delivered by the responsible body (Jobcenter or Bundesagentur für Arbeit).

If you do not answer the previous criteria, you can contact the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees directly and ask for a certificate of eligibility.

Please bring the following documents with you upon registration:

• Your language certification.
• Your entitlement or certificate of eligibility.

Taking the final exam

Each course is concluded with a recognised language test which, according to the Common European Framework of Reference, confirms your respective skill level.

The final examination is provided by institutions accredited by the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE), such as (Goethe-Institut, telc GmbH, TestDaF), and covers all four languages skills (Speaking, Writing, Listening and Reading).

Repeating the course

If you have attended the course regularly and taken the examination under the regulations but the course objective is not yet achieved, you may retake the final test.
You may repeat the course once to optimise your success at retaking the examination if needed.

Attendance

Classes must be attended regularly and on time. You will sign an agreement upon registration which stipulates that you will attend the course on a regular basis and participate actively during lessons.
In the following circumstances, our establishment is obligated to report to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees and Jobcenter or Bundesagentur für Arbeit, if:

• you drop out of the course.
• your successful completion of the course is disrupted by an irregular attendance.
• you did not attend the first day in class and did not provide us with a valid justification.
• you missed three consecutive days (with or without valid justification).
• you have failed to attend over 20% of the teaching units.

Absences of over 30% of the teaching units will lead to a termination of the course, as per regulations.

Cost

Participation in a professional language course is generally free of charge.

A cost will however apply under the following conditions:

• You do not receive benefits in accordance with SGB II, SGB XII or AsylbLG
• You are not looking for a training position or already in training within the scope of Section 57 (1) SGB III.
• Your net income is higher the 20,000€ per annum (40,000€ per annum when jointly assessed), in which case the obtention of the certificate within two years might entitle you to a 50% refund (You will have to file an application to the competent regional office of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees in order to receive reimbursement).

Your employer may also pay the cost contribution.

If you were to give up the course without a justification, a full exemption would no longer apply, and you would be required to pay a contribution of the costs.

Textbooks

The textbooks are provided free of charge during lessons.

Travel expenses allowance

If you are attending an integration course and are receiving unemployment benefit II or social assistance and your place of residence is at least 3.0 km on foot from the place where the course is held, you will receive an allowance towards your travel expenses on application.

Courses overview

• • To courses for professional purposes