If you want to learn the German language, you can attend a language course. German courses are offered in different levels at different educational institutions in Berlin. You can choose your course z.B. take courses at adult education centers, private language schools, language institutes and universities, as well as at cultural centers and clubs. In this list you can search for language schools in Berlin. As an alternative or supplement to a language course, you can take an online course.
There are different language levels, which are indicated by abbreviations (z.B. A1 or B2). An overview of the different language levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and their respective prerequisites can be found on the website of the European Reference Framework.
Can I participate in an integration course?
An integration course is a German course with a supplementary course section in which knowledge about German history, culture and the political system is taught. This part of the course is called "Orientation Course. The integration course is offered by various institutions and coordinated by the BAMF.
An integration course is a German course with a supplementary course section that teaches knowledge about German history, culture and the political system. This part of the course is called "Orientation Course. The integration course is offered by various providers and coordinated by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees ( BAMF ). If you are entitled to participate in the integration course, you yourself only pay a cost contribution of 2.20 euros per teaching unit. A general integration course consists of 700 hours of instruction. That is why this entire course costs you 1.540 euros. You do not have to pay this amount all at once, but you can pay it per course section of 100 lessons each. You are entitled to the language course if you have received a residence permit for the first time, for work, for family reunification, because of a refugee recognition or because you have been granted a residence permit for the first time. the granting of subsidiary protection or for certain other humanitarian purposes (§ 23 para. 2 or Abs. 4, § 25 para. 4a sentence 3 or § 25b of the Residence Act). You can also be admitted to an integration course if you are a long-term resident in another EU country and thus also entitled to reside in Germany (§ 38a Residence Act). Minors and young adults attending school as well as persons with a recognizably low need for integration are not entitled to participate in the integration course – especially if the person already speaks sufficient German (level B1).
If you successfully complete the integration course within two years, you can apply for a refund of half of the contribution you have paid. If you receive benefits to secure your livelihood in accordance with SGB II or SGB XII or benefits in accordance with the Asylum Seekers’ Benefits Act, the cost contribution to the integration course can also be waived completely for you.
Asylum seekers in the asylum procedure can also participate in a subsidized integration course if course places are available and if you come from Syria, Eritrea or Somalia and no other EU state is responsible for your asylum procedure.
Even if you are not entitled to a subsidized integration course, you can take part in an integration course or comparable offer at many language schools, but then you have to pay the full costs yourself.
(as of July 2021)
Can I participate in a state-funded German course for asylum seekers?
If you are not allowed to attend a funded integration course by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, you can attend alternative state-funded German courses. The adult education centers ( VHS ) offer free German courses for refugees in all districts of Berlin. On the multilingual website you can find all the important information for enrollment.
What other state-funded offers are there for learning the German language?
In addition to general language German courses, there are job-related German courses. The federally funded job-related German language support according to § 45a AufenthG is a language learning offer for people with a migration background who want to improve their chances on the job market and their German language skills up to level C2 CEFR. Persons with a residence title and citizens of the European Union are entitled to participate in the program. Asylum seekers in the asylum procedure can also participate in a funded integration course under certain conditions. The courses can be linked with measures for professional integration and employment promotion.
Refugees without access to a federally funded vocational language course can participate in state-funded vocational language courses. The basic language offer of the state of Berlin is complemented by the state ESF measure of job-related language support for refugees. This offer is supplemented by an internship.
This offer is supplemented by a practical course. Especially for parents with a migration background, there are parenting courses offered by the VHS , which take place during the school hours of their children.