German courses

Your result was "integration course"? Find out what you need to prepare and how to find a course here.

1. How to find an integration course: Integrationskurse | BAMF-Navi
2. Make an appointment with the school where the course takes place.
3. Before you can start, you usually need approval from the Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge (BAMF) (Federal Office for Migration and Refugees). Your school can help you with this. If you will finance the integration course yourself, you can register directly and do not need approval from BAMF .

Tip: If you receive money from the Jobcenter , ask them for support. They can allow you to take an integration course or require you to attend one. This may help you start your integration course faster. Ask to be required to attend the integration course only if you are sure you want to take it. If you quit the course, the Jobcenter may reduce the benefits you receive.

You did 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, read: I did not pass my course – what can I do?

Your result was “integration course (higher module)”? Find out what you need to prepare and how to find a course here.

1. How to find an integration course: Integrationskurse | BAMF-Navi
2. Make an appointment with the school where the course takes place.
3. At the school, you need to take a test to find out at which language level you can start your course.
4. Before you can start, you usually need approval from 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 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.

You did 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, read: I have not passed my course – what can I do?

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. Only do this if you really want to attend the course. If you stop attending the course, the authority may reduce your benefits.

Your result was “vocational language course (BSK)”? Find out what you need to prepare and how to find a course here.

1. 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, then you cannot take a vocational language course (BSK). In that case, look above at " VHS Deutschkurs für Geflüchtete" ("German course for refugees at VHS ").
2. Find information here about the content and requirements: Berufssprachkurs | BAMF
3. Look for a suitable course here: Berufssprachkurs finden | Agentur für Arbeit
4. Make an appointment with the school, where the course takes place
5. Take a language test at the school to find out at which language level you can start your course.
6. If you are unemployed: Get a Teilnahmeberechtigung (eligibility to participate) in a vocational language course from your Jobcenter or the Agentur für Arbeit .
7. If you are working or in an apprenticeship: Apply for the Teilnahmeberechtigung (eligibility to participate) at BAMF .

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:

Job-BSK

If you are already working, your company can support you by registering you for the course. They need to contact their Arbeitgeberservice bei der Agentur für Arbeit (employer service at the Employment Agency ). They may also give you time off to attend the course.

If you are about to start a job, ask your Jobcenter or  Agentur für Arbeit about this course.

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 ).

Find out more:

Azubi-BSK

Even if you cannot take one of the above German courses, there are still other ways to learn the language. Ask at a 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:

German courses for all

If you need support, go to a counseling center.

You can take a German course at a Volkshochschule (VHS) or at a private language school. You will need to finance the German course yourself.

VHS course search (in German)

You can also take an online course. This is often less expensive.

Tip: If you receive money from the Jobcenter , ask 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.