Integration Course in Germany [Personal Experience] - 2024

Integration course is a German language course that helps immigrants to integrate into a German society. Communication is the key and basic thing in all matters without which you are always unfit. An integration course is beneficial in all aspects to live life at a new place.

Benefits of Integration Course

Numerous benefits includes;

• Enable you to communicate with people confidently.
• Easy to get permanent residency (without course citizenship is claimed after 8 years)
• Helps in finding a job.
• Learn about German laws, customs, and culture.
• Professional progress.
• Short duration (less than a year).

Participation Regulations

EU citizens are not legally entitled to enroll in integration courses. But they can take permission by submitting a filled form at the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees to attend the course if their spoken German is not sufficient.

Non EU citizens should attend an integration course, if their language skills are not adequate. People with long working hours or not suitable timings are exempt, so you must consult with the Foreigners’ Authority.

Components of Integration Course

Language Course

The language course includes activities to learn daily life communication. Tests are designed upon completion of each level. Learning outcome:

• Eating or drinking
• Finding a job
• Filling administration and other forms
• Information regarding insurances, banks and services
• Making telephone calls
• Traveling 
• Visiting the doctor
• Work ethics
• Writing emails and letters

Orientation Course

In this course, you will learn about politics, culture, history and life in Germany. Learning Outcome:

• Human rights and obligations
• Legal system
• Political parties, system, and democracy
• Societal historical and cultural values

German Language Test (Telc DTZ)

At the end of the course, there is a German language test for immigrants (Deutschtest für Zuwanderer). Exam consists of four parts.

• Listening
• Speaking (15 minutes)
• Reading
• Writing

This exam is to check a person’s understanding, writing and speaking to the B1 level. If you pass, you will get an Integration Course Certificate. If you fail, retake 300 course lessons before repeating the test.

Living in Germany Test (Leben in Deutschland)

At the end of the course, there is a test (33 questions) which is easier to pass as this is from 300 questions given during the course. Questions are related to history, law, and culture of Germany. If you pass both exams, you will receive Zertifikat Integrationskurs.

Parts and Duration of Integration Course

Integration course consists of two parts; German language course and orientation course. Total number of lessons is 945, including 900 language lessons and 45 orientation lessons. Language lessons include topics like shopping, school, appointments with a doctor or with a landlord, children, or mini job. Orientation lessons are about history, politics, and culture. Most schools complete it within 7 to 8 months.

Process to Apply

• People from a non-European country can get a permit to attend an integration course, (Berechtigungsschein) from the local Foreigners’ Authority.
• People from an EU citizen can apply for an integration course at the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.
• Find a nearest course provider (Kurstraeger) from the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.
• Contact through email or in person to submit documents and discuss course syllabus, duration, and cost.
• Get registered.

You must have a valid resident permit or visa for more than 6 months.

Cost and Subsidies of an Integration Course

The course fee is 2.22 Euros per lesson, paid before starting each module of 100 hours. Total cost is 220 Euros per module and the full course costs 1900 Euros. Low income persons can apply to the BAMF to waive the cost. Students receiving unemployment benefit II do not need to pay the fee. If you have been granted a free integration course, you can also apply for travel expenses. To get half of the course fees back, pass the exam within 2 years and apply to your regional BAMF office to get this reimbursement.

Challenges and Solutions

When learning a foreign language, you might face challenges like cultural adjustment and language barriers. All learners in a class learn German at a different pace with a different capacity. 

Here are the solutions:

• Find a speaking partner to speak half an hour after class
• Do the homework 
• Find Youtube channel that solve integration exam papers
• Learn German Vocabs from effective APPs
• Repeat the lesson everyday
• Search groups on Facebook or Telegram with the name ‘Stammtisch’ (meetups to learn German).

Final Words

Integration course of German language helps in multiple ways espevially when you are new to a culture. After completing the course and learning speaking German language, apply for another German language course to completely integrate and get benefits from German society.