Measures to promote language learning
Young immigrants who want to start training can be supported in advancing through training preparation or vocational guidance. They need a basic knowledge of the German language to participate. Measures for learning the German language are situated in the "basic education” qualification phase. Three measures to promote language learning are listed below:
(Youth) integration course/ low-threshold language courses
Immigrants under 27 who are no longer of compulsory school age are entitled to (youth) integration courses where basic German language skills are taught.
If young immigrants are not entitled to attend an integration course, they can attend a low-threshold language course (for more information, please see the topic page Language training). The low-threshold language courses also teach basic German skills (level A1/A2). Participation in a low-threshold language course is regarded as an alternative prerequisite for participation in the Vocational language support programme combined with KomBer.
Integration course combined with KompAS
Immigrants who have a German school-leaving certificate or can prove the recognition of a school-leaving certificate acquired abroad can attend the integration course in parallel via the Competence assessment programme, early activation and language learning (KompAS) and participate in vocational qualification measures. This is because KompAS is intended to facilitate rapid placement in work or training. Job application training, job-related language support and individual coaching are provided to achieve this. The maximum funding period is eight months. KompAS is aimed at individuals entitled to asylum, recognised refugees and asylum seekers with good prospects of staying who have already been admitted to an integration course.
Participation in the integration course combined with KompAS is a prerequisite for participation in the Vocational Language Support support measure combined mit KomBer.
Berufsvorbereitungsjahr-Sprache (Vocational preparation year-language) (BVJ-S)
Young immigrants subject to compulsory schooling can - irrespective of whether they can prove that they have a school-leaving qualification - complete a Vocational preparation year (BVJ) at a vocational training school. Pupils who do not have sufficient language skills can attend separate "vocational preparation year classes" with additional language support (BVJ-S). The aim of this measure is for the pupils to achieve German language skills at level A2 after one school year.
Further information
Federal Office for Migration and Refugees in its letter Kompetenzfeststellung, frühzeitige Aktivierung und Spracherwerb (Competency assessment, early boosting and language learning) (KompAS) Provides detailed information on the KompAS programme. On the website of the State Education Office of Saxony Anhalt you can receive information on schooling and language support for children and young people with a migration background.
The IQ Network Lower Saxony explains in the working guide Training Assistance for Refugees which forms of access to training support exist for refugees, depending on their residence status.
The IQ Immigration Office clearly outlines in its work aid Access to Employment and Training Assistance for Refugees which employment and training assistance measures can be claimed by refugees under certain conditions.
Vocational training offers immigrants the opportunity to open up a new perspective on life and to integrate well both professionally and socially in their new home country, Germany. The chances of this happening are very good at the moment. Many companies - especially in the skilled trades, gastronomy and health professions - are urgently looking for young talent and offer challenging apprenticeships.
More than just general language skills are often required to take up a profession or training. Specialist technical vocabulary is also required for this. The Bertelsmann Foundation's Berufs-ABC [ABC of Professions] is designed to make it easier for migrants to enter the world of work: On the website meine-berufserfahrung.de you will find translations of technical terms for more than 30 professions. For this purpose, professional terms and phrases are provided in twelve different languages. Links are provided to further information on the respective occupational field.