Do you want to learn German but do not know where to start? On this page, you can find out which course is right for you and how you can finance it.
Which German Course Can I Take?
There are different ways to learn German. Some courses are paid for by the German state, some courses by Berlin, and some courses you have to pay for yourself.
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Integration Course
Your result was "Integration Course"? Then find out here what you need to prepare and how to find a course.
- How to find an integration course: Integrationskurse | BAMF-Navi
- Make an appointment with the school where the course takes place.
- Before you can start, you usually need approval from the BAMF (Federal Office for Migration and Refugees). Your school can help you with this. If you can pay for the integration course yourself, you can register directly. You then do not need approval from the BAMF.
Tip: If you receive money from the Jobcenter , ask them for support. They can give you approval or an obligation to attend. This can help you to start your integration course quickly. Only ask for an obligation if you really want to attend the course. If you drop out of the course, the Jobcenter may reduce your benefits.
Did you not pass the Integration Course? If you have already taken an Integration Course, you cannot repeat it—unless you pay for the lessons yourself. If you did not pass your exam, continue reading at the question: Ich habe meinen Kurs nicht bestanden – was kann ich tun? ("I have not passed my course – what can I do?")
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Integration Course (higher module)
Your result was “Integration Course (higher module)”? Then you can find out here what you need to prepare and how to find a course.
- How to find an integration course: Integrationskurse | BAMF-Navi
- Make an appointment with the school where the course takes place.
- At the school, you need to take a test to find out at which language level you can start your course.
- Before you can start, you usually need approval from the BAMF (Federal Office for Migration and Refugees). Your school can help you with this. If you can pay for the integration course yourself, you can register directly. You then do not need approval from the BAMF.
Tip: If you receive money from the Jobcenter , ask them for support. They can give you approval or an obligation to attend. This can help you to start your integration course quickly. Only ask for an obligation if you really want to attend the course. If you drop out of the course, the Jobcenter may reduce your benefits.
Did you not pass the Integration Course? If you have already taken an Integration Course, you cannot repeat it—unless you pay for the lessons yourself. If you did not pass your exam, continue reading at the question: Ich habe meinen Kurs nicht bestanden – was kann ich tun? ("I have not passed my course – what can I do?")
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German Course for Refugees at VHS
If you cannot take an Integration Course, there is an alternative option for refugees in Berlin at the Volkshochschule (VHS).
How to find a course:
- Ask at your Volkshochschule (VHS). Here you can find the Sprechzeiten (consultation hours).
- At some schools, you can call, go there directly, or send an email.
- You may be able to start the course earlier in another district.
Tip: If you currently receive money from LAF (State Office for Refugee Affairs and Housing), the Sozialamt (Social Welfare Office), or the Jobcenter , ask about an Integration Course. Sometimes they can require people to take part in an Integration Course. But only do this if you really want to attend the course. If you stop attending the course, the authority may reduce your benefits.
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Vocational Language Course (BSK)
Your result was “Vocational Language Course (BSK)”? Then you can find out here what you need to prepare and how to find a course.
- Register as arbeitslos (unemployed) or arbeitsuchend (jobseeker) with the
Agentur für Arbeit
or the
Jobcenter
.
If you cannot do this, for example because you have a work ban, you also cannot take a Vocational Language Course (BSK). In that case, look above at " VHS Deutschkurs für Geflüchtete" ("German Course for Refugees at VHS "). - Find information here about the content and requirements: Berufssprachkurs | BAMF
- Look for a suitable course here: Berufssprachkurs finden | Agentur für Arbeit
- Make an appointment with the school, where the course takes place
- Take a language test at the school to find out at which language level you will start your course.
- If you are unemployed: Get a Teilnahmeberechtigung (eligibility to participate) in a Vocational Language Course from your Jobcenter or the Agentur für Arbeit .
- If you are working or in an apprenticeship : Apply for the Teilnahmeberechtigung (eligibility to participate) at the BAMF.
- Register as arbeitslos (unemployed) or arbeitsuchend (jobseeker) with the
Agentur für Arbeit
or the
Jobcenter
.
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Job-related Vocational Language Course (Job-BSK)
Do you work or are you about to start a job? Then you can take a Job-BSK. This is a special Vocational Language Course that runs alongside your work. Here you can find all important information:
If you are already working, your company can support you by registering you for the course. They need to contact their Employer Service at the Employment Agency (Arbeitgeberservice bei der Agentur für Arbeit ). They may also give you time off to attend the course.
If you are about to start a job, ask your Jobcenter or the Agentur für Arbeit about this course.
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Apprentice Vocational Language Course (Azubi-BSK)
Are you in a company-based apprenticeship ? Then you can take an Azubi-BSK. This is a special course for your apprenticeship . Ask at your Berufsschule (OSZ) ( vocational school ).
Here you can find more information:
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Alternative German learning options
If you cannot take the special German courses, there are other ways to learn German. Ask at a any Stadtteilzentrum (neighborhood center) if there are free German courses or language cafés near you. There are also special volunteer offers that are open to everyone.
You can find an overview of free offers here:
If you need support for your situation, go to a counseling center.
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Self-paid Open Courses
You can take a German course at a Volkshochschule (VHS) or at a private language school. You have to pay for the German course yourself.
Here you can find the VHS course search:
There you can also take an online course. This is often even less expensive.
Tip: If you receive money from the Jobcenter , ask the them for support. In some situations, they can give you approval or an obligation to attend an Integration Course. This may help you start an Integration Course after all. Only ask for an obligation if you really want to attend the Integration Course. If you drop out the course, the Jobcenter may reduce your benefits.
Take the test above and find out which German course you can take:
How Much Does a German Course Cost?
The Integration Course usually consists of 700 course hours and costs a total of 1,603 euros. In many cases, however, you do not have to pay for the course yourself, for example if you have been obliged to attend by the Jobcenter and have little or no income.
The Vocational Language Course (BSK) is usually free of charge. If you have enough of your own income, you have to pay part of the costs yourself. You can find out how much income this is and how high the costs are here: Berufsskrachkurs | BAMF.
If you take a private course at a language school, the costs vary. It is best to check at the Volkshochschule (VHS).
I Did Not Pass My Integration Course – What Can I Do?
Did you not pass your exam at language level B1? Then you can take the exam a second time. If you still need more time to learn, you should repeat some course hours. You usually have to pay for these hours yourself.
Tip: Are you a refugee and did not pass the Integration Course? Then ask at the Volkshochschule about the German Course for Refugees. There you can usually repeat the course hours free of charge and take the exam again.
I Have Problems with Reading and Writing. Are There Special Integration Courses?
Yes – there are special Integration Courses:
- Alphabetisierung-Kurs (Literacy Course): This course is for people who are learning to read and write for the first time.
- Geringliteralisierten-Kurs (Low Literacy Course): This course is for people who can only read and write a little.
- Zweitschrift-Lern-Kurs (Second Script Learning Course): This course is for people who have not learned to read and write in the Latin alphabet before, but in another writing system (for example Arabic or Cyrillic).
To find these courses, use the BAMF search tool:
There, click on the filter "Kursart" and choose "Spezielle Kursarten" ("Special Course Types"). These courses are only offered from time to time, so you may have to wait longer until a suitable course starts.
I Have Problems with Seeing or Hearing. Are There Special Integration Courses?
Yes – there are special Integration Courses:
- Blindenkurs (Blind Course): This course takes place in small groups and is for blind and visually impaired people.
- Gehörlosenkurs (Deaf Course): This course is in German sign language. You learn written German in small groups.
To find these courses, use the BAMF search tool:
There, click on the filter "Kursart" and choose "Kurse für Menschen mit Behinderung/Beeinträchtigung" ("Courses for People with Disabilities/Impairments"). These courses are only offered from time to time, so you may have to wait longer until a suitable course starts.
I Am Under 18 Years Old. Can I Take a Course?
Only in exceptional cases. If you are still required to attend school in Berlin, you must go to school. There you will also learn German, for example in a Willkommensklasse. Only if you no longer have to go to school can you take an integration course.
Any More Questions?
If your questions were not answered or you need support, go to counseling. Here you can find counseling centers for this topic.
Here you can find counseling centers that can help you with questions about German courses.
Locations in this map
Willkommenszentrum Berlin
Show on mapThe Counselling Centre for Migrants, which has existed since 1981, and the Welcome Centre Berlin, which was founded in 2016, were merged in April 2021.
People with a history of migration and their relatives continue to receive competent advice on all questions of migration as well as arrival and advancement from a single source. The grown team of the Welcome Center and the cooperation partners, including the networks Integration through Qualification (IQ) and bridge, inform, advise and support individually and multilingually.
The following concerns are covered by the Welcome Centre - Counselling Centre of the Integration Officers:
- Legal advice in migration law
- Hardship counselling
- social counselling
- Advice on the recognition of professional qualifications from abroad
- Advice on training and further education, German courses and job search - Advice on setting up a business
- Advice on labour law
Language overview: https://www.berlin.de/willkommenszentrum/ueber-uns/unsere-partner/
Consulting hours of the partners: https://www.berlin.de/willkommenszentrum/ueber-uns/unsere-partner
Potsdamer Str. 61
10785 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] Our consulting takes place on site, by telephone and digitally.
Opening hours:
Mon 9:00-13:00
Tue 9:00-13:00 + 15:00-18:00
Wed 9:00-13:00
Thu 9:00-13:00 + 15:00-18:00
Consultation by e-mail and arrangement of consultation appointments: beratung@intmig.berlin.de
Appointments for consultation by phone:
Mon, Wed, Fri 10:00-12:00 at (030) 9017-23172.
Personal consultation in Ukrainian and Russian
Monday 09 - 13 h
Tuesday 09 to 13 h, 15 to 18 h
Thursday 09 to 13 h, 15 to 18 h
BERATUNG Bildung & Beruf
Show on map[DeepL:] The target groups are:
- Entrepreneurs and employees of SMEs
- HR and training managers in SMEs
- Representatives of interests in companies
- The professional public
The advisory service includes:
- Advice on further training needs and qualifications for company employees (workplace situation, in-company qualification)
- Advice on possible vocational qualifications (individual company retraining, post-qualification, modular qualification with the aim of obtaining a vocational qualification while working)
- Advice on current funding opportunities, financing and their conditions
- Advice on the implementation of company training objectives, training needs analysis, further training strategy
- Advice on setting up and optimizing the "personnel and further training" management process
- Sensitization of companies for low-skilled and older employees as well as company health management
Karl-Marx-Str. 122
12043 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] On-site consultations throughout Berlin
in companies by appointment
Telephone advice for SMEs
Tel: 030 - 203 89 94 33
BERATUNG Bildung & Beruf
Show on mapSilbersteinstr. 29
12051 Berlin
Germany
BERATUNG Bildung & Beruf
Show on map- Advice on career change or reorientation, education and training and re-entry.
- Advice on general education and learning opportunities
- Advice on financing opportunities for education
- Application check, application workshops, support in the preparation of application documents
- Information on job offers
- Educational counselling for refugees
Karl-Marx-Straße 131
12043 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] Neukölln location:
Monday to Friday
09.00 - 17.00
We are always closed on Wednesdays between 13:00 and 15:00.
Open consultation hours without appointment:
Wednesdays, at 9 a.m.
Wednesdays, 3-5 p.m. (Ukrainian)
Treptow-Köpenick location (Oberschöneweide):
Tuesday and Friday
09.00 - 17.00 with appointment
BERATUNG Bildung & Beruf
Show on mapGutsmuthsstr. 23
12163 Berlin
Germany
BERATUNG Bildung & Beruf
Show on map[DeepL:] We offer you individual advice on the various routes to a vocational qualification and on qualification-oriented training. One focus of our advice is modular post-qualification. It offers you the opportunity to acquire a vocational qualification step by step via partial qualifications and to shorten the qualification period if previous vocational experience is recognized.
Advice on offer
- Individual specialist advice on acquiring vocational qualifications, partial qualifications that can be combined with vocational qualifications and advanced training.
- "Vocational orientation workshop" - Are you looking for a career change and not yet sure where you want to go professionally and where your strengths lie? In the workshop, we help you to identify your career-related skills and potential and to develop your career prospects.
- Information events and (group) consultations for participants in the "Qualification before employment" program
Salzburger Straße 15
10825 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 17:00
BERATUNG Bildung & Beruf
Show on map[DeepL:] Advice on the following topics:
- Training and further education
- Studies
- Internship, compulsory internship
- professional reorientation and reorientation, career entry and CV
- Individual location and skills analyses
- Professional integration of refugees and immigrants
- Recognition of foreign educational qualifications
- Funding, financing and help with applications (BAföG, upgrading BAföG, education bonus, etc)
- Career prospects and access to employment (career path, professional development, application strategy, etc.)
- Employment and qualification (job situation, company qualification and career development as well as flexibility)
- Catching up on a vocational qualification
- Voluntary services (FSJ, FÖJ, voluntary work, etc)
- Language acquisition and improvement
- Learning, learning methods and strategies
- Referral of specific advice requests to specialist institutions and bodies
Appointments by appointment also in and other locations (see website):
Herzbergstr. 33/34, House 3, 10365 Berlin
Wolfener Str. 32-34, House O, 12681 Berlin
Bernhard-Bästlein-Str. 3
10367 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] Lichtenberg location:
Monday: 10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
09.00 - 17.00
Thursday: 16.00 - 17.00
(by arrangement)
Friday: 09.00 - 17.00 hrs
Locations Marzahn and Hellersdorf:
Appointments by appointment
BERATUNG Bildung & Beruf
Show on map[DeepL:] Advice on education and careers for all people, including further education, educational opportunities, financing education, career guidance and development
Further focal points:
- Advice also for students, in the event of dropping out of university and/or professional reorientation
- Qualification advice also for companies/institutions in the health, care and social sector
Ziegelstraße 30
10117 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] Appointments by arrangement
BERATUNG Bildung & Beruf
Show on map- Counselling on career change or reorientation, education and training and re-entry.
*Counselling on general education and learning opportunities
*Advice on financing possibilities for education
*Application check, application workshops, support in preparing application documents
*Information on job offers
*Educational counselling for refugees
Carl-Schurz-Straße 35
13597 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] Monday - Friday 9-17
BERATUNG Bildung & Beruf
Show on map- Counselling on career change or reorientation, education and training and re-entry.
*Counselling on general education and learning opportunities
*Advice on financing possibilities for education
*Application check, application workshops, support in the preparation of application documents
*Information on job offers
*Educational counselling for refugees
Brandenburgische Straße 86/87
10713 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] Mon. 12:00 to 17:00
Tue.-Fri. 9:00 to 17:00 (or by appointment)
BERATUNG Bildung & Beruf
Show on map[DeepL:] Our advisory services and key topics:
- Advice on (initial and further) training
- Advice on professional (re)orientation and CVs
- Advice on career prospects and access to employment (career path, professional development, application strategy, etc.)
- Advice on employment and qualification (job situation, company qualification and career development and flexibility)
- Advice on learning, forms of learning and learning strategies
- Advice on funding, financing and its conditions
- Mobile advice for refugees and immigrants
Storkower Str. 158 (5. OG.)
10407 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] Monday to Friday: 09.00 - 19.00 hrs
BERATUNG Bildung & Beruf
Show on map[DeepL:] Our advisory services and key topics:
- Advice on (initial and further) training
- Advice on professional (re)orientation and CVs
- Advice on career prospects and access to employment (career path, professional development, application strategy, etc.)
- Advice on employment and qualification (job situation, company qualification and career development and flexibility)
- Advice on learning, forms of learning and learning strategies
- Advice on funding, financing and its conditions
- Mobile advice for refugees and immigrants
Scharnweberstr. 138
13405 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] Monday to Friday: 09.00 - 19.00 hrs
bridge – Berliner Netzwerke für Bleiberecht
Show on mapThe bridge networks offer a comprehensive range of vocational counselling and support services, job-specific German and qualification courses, and placement in internships and employment.
Offers of the GFBM:
- counselling and placement in German courses
- Qualification, training and employment courses
- language assessment
Colditzstraße 34-36
12099 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] Appointments by appointment
Open consultation:
Wed 10:00-12:00
Thu 13:00-16:00
Migrationsberatung für erwachsene Zugewanderte (MBE)
Show on mapThe service is basically aimed at migrants aged 27 and over with a permanent residence status.
The specialist office offers free counselling mainly on the following topics:
- German courses (e.g. integration courses).
- Work and vocational training (job search, recognition of vocational qualifications...) * Children and family * Economic situation (income, job centre, debts...) * Health (health insurance, medical care, pregnancy, disability) * Everyday matters (contact with authorities, housing, leisure time...)
- Legal questions concerning residence
Trautenaustraße 5
10717 Berlin
Germany
Opening hours
Tuesday 09:00-11:00, Thursday 14:00-16:00
(At the moment because of the Corona pandemic, only by appointment)
Migrationsberatung für erwachsene Zugewanderte (MBE)
Show on mapThe service is generally aimed at migrants aged 27 and over with a permanent residence status.
The specialist office offers free counselling mainly on the following topics:
* German courses (e.g. integration courses).
* Work and vocational training (job search, recognition of vocational qualifications...) * Children and family * Economic situation (income, job centre, debts...) * Health (health insurance, medical care, pregnancy, disability) * Everyday matters (contact with authorities, housing, leisure time...)
* Legal questions concerning residence
Fröbelstraße 17
10405 Berlin
Germany
Tuesday 10:00-12:00, and by appointment
Migrationsberatung für erwachsene Zugewanderte (MBE)
Show on mapThe offer is basically aimed at migrants from the age of 27 with a permanent residence status and up to three years after entry or obtaining the permanent residence status.
The MBE offers free counselling mainly on the following topics:
- German language courses (e.g. integration courses)
- Work and vocational training (job search, recognition of vocational qualifications, etc.)
- Children and family
- Economic situation (income, job centre, debts...)
- Health (health insurance, medical care, pregnancy, disability)
- Everyday matters (contact with authorities, housing, leisure time...)
- Legal questions concerning residence
Landsberger Allee 400
12681 Berlin
Germany
Monday 09:00-15:00,
Tuesday 09:00-15:00,
Wednesday 09:00-15:00,
Thursday 09:00-17:00 (by prior appointment)
Migrationsberatung für erwachsene Zugewanderte (MBE)
Show on mapThe offer is basically aimed at migrants from the age of 27 with a permanent residence status and up to three years after entry or obtaining the permanent residence status.
The MBE offers free counselling mainly on the following topics:
- German language courses (e.g. integration courses)
- Work and vocational training (job search, recognition of vocational qualifications, etc.)
- Children and family
- Economic situation (income, job centre, debts...)
- Health (health insurance, medical care, pregnancy, disability)
- Everyday matters (contact with authorities, housing, leisure time...)
- Legal questions concerning residence
Stettiner Straße 12
13357 Berlin
Germany
Migrationsberatung für erwachsene Zugewanderte (MBE)
Show on mapMigration counselling for adults (MBE)
- Assists new immigrants aged 27 and over in all stages of the integration process in Germany in the first three years after entering the country or obtaining permanent residence status.
- Offers individual and needs-oriented case guidance with the aim of increasing their chances of professional and social integration.
- Provides support in the search for a suitable integration course and, if required, takes on the social-pedagogical supervision of integration course participants.
- Actively participates in communal networks.
Who can contact us?
- New immigrants and late repatriates with their family members.
- Migrants already living here as well as late repatriates with their family members in concrete crisis situations.
- Employees of various institutions and organisations in questions of the intercultural opening of regular services.
We advise and support you in the following areas:
Integration courses
questions of social integration
etc.
Forckenbeckstr. 1
14199 Berlin
Germany
Monday 08.30 - 16.00
Tuesday 08.30 - 16.00
Wednesday by appointment
Thursday 08.30 - 16.00
Friday by arrangement
Late appointments possible by arrangement!
Migrationsberatung für erwachsene Zugewanderte (MBE)
Show on mapThe offer is basically aimed at migrants aged 27 and over with a permanent residence status and up to three years after entry or obtaining the permanent residence status.
The MBE offers free counselling mainly on the following topics:
- German language courses (e.g. integration courses)
- Work and vocational training (job search, recognition of vocational qualifications, etc.)
- Children and family
- Economic situation (income, job centre, debts...)
- Health (health insurance, medical care, pregnancy, disability)
- Everyday matters (contact with authorities, housing, leisure time...)
- Legal questions concerning residence
Oranienstr. 34
10999 Berlin
Germany
Mon/Thu/Thu/Fri 9 am - 4 pm
and by telephone arrangement
Migrationsberatung für erwachsene Zugewanderte (MBE)
Show on mapThe offer is basically aimed at migrants from the age of 27 with a permanent residence status and up to three years after entry or obtaining the permanent residence status. The MBE offers free counselling mainly on the following topics:
- German language courses (e.g. integration courses)
- Work and vocational training (job search, recognition of vocational qualifications...) * Children and family * Economic situation (income, job centre, debts...) * Health (health insurance, medical care, pregnancy, disability) * Everyday matters (contact with authorities, housing, leisure time...)
- Legal questions concerning residence
Willmanndamm 12
10827 Berlin
Germany
Tue 14-16 h
Thu 10-12 h
CURRENTLY there are no office hours, only telephone and e-mail consultations.
Additional telephone consultation hours until 17.04.2020:
Monday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Wednesday 12 - 14 o'clock
