People who speak German will find it quicker and easier to adapt to life in Germany. Language skills improve your ability to communicate with other people in day-to-day life and in the workplace. Having good German increases your chances of getting a job and achieving professional success.
For this reason, the Federal Government offers vocational language courses aimed at people from an immigration background. These courses build on the integration courses and are available throughout Germany. You can attend it if you attended an integration course before or if you know German well (level B1). You can choose between basic courses with different objectives (for example, level B2, C1, C2) or special courses. The basic courses teach the German language skills that are generally required in the workplace. Special courses develop your specialist vocabulary and teach you the German words and phrases you need for specific occupations.
You can also take a vocational language course if you are working or undergoing training.
If you receive basic benefits for jobseekers (German Social Code, Book II, SGB II), your job centre will help you apply for a vocational language course and find the most suitable course for you. The counsellors also know which language schools offer courses. If you have a job, are undergoing training or are in the recognition process and do not receive benefits under SGB II or SGB III, you must apply directly to the Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge for entitlement to participate.
On this page, you can find all the key information about our vocational language courses.
What are the benefits of doing a vocational language course?
You can improve your German within a very short space of time, and become acquainted with the idiosyncrasies of working in Germany. Your new language skills will make it easier to start your career and develop your individual abilities. You will become familiar with all the key terms of the profession in which you would like to work. With these language skills, you will be able to find a suitable job more quickly. The courses will also benefit people who already have a job, and help them in their day-to-day work.
What will I learn in the courses?
Depending on your language skills and needs, you can complete basic or special modules on our vocational language courses. The courses usually end with an exam. If you pass the exam, you will receive a certificate, which you will need to be able to work in certain occupations.
In the basic courses, you will learn:
- The German language skills that are generally required in the workplace
- The vocabulary and expressions you will need in your day-to-day work
- How to write and understand professional emails and letters
- General knowledge about interviews and employment contracts
Lots of what you learn in the basic modules will also be helpful in day-to-day life outside work.
The special courses are available e.g.
- for persons in the recognition process for academic health professions (e.g. doctor) and health professions
- with subject-specific content for the field of commercial technology or retail trade
- with entry level A1 and A2 for participants from the integration course who have not reached level B1.
The special courses will help you to get into your chosen profession. The courses will be of benefit even if you already have a job or are undergoing training, and will make things easier in your day-to-day work.
How much does it cost to attend a vocational language course?
- Participation in the vocational language course is generally free of charge.
- You only need to make a small contribution if you are already in work, not receiving any additional benefits from the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) and earn more than a certain amount. Your employer may pay your cost contribution.
- If you successfully complete the exam, you can apply to have half of the cost contribution reimbursed.
Who can attend the courses?
The vocational language courses are aimed at people who have migrated to Germany, EU citizens and German nationals from an immigration background. The prerequisite is that you are permitted to work. You must have completed the integration course or achieved at least Level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). B1 means that you can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters. You can find more information about the language levels at your local employment agency (Agentur für Arbeit) or job centre (Jobcenter).
Where can I apply for the courses?
If you are not currently in work, simply speak to your intermediary at your local employment agency (Agentur für Arbeit) or job centre (Jobcenter), who will advise which language schools offer vocational language courses. They will also assist you with any other questions.
If you are already in work, undergoing training or in the process of achieving professional recognition, you can contact the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees directly. Please email the office responsible for your Federal State:
- Berlin, Brandenburg, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Thüringen:
- bsk.berlin@bamf.bund.de
- Baden-Württemberg, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland:
- bsk.stuttgart@bamf.bund.de
- Bayern:
- deufoe.nuernberg@bamf.bund.de
- Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen, Schleswig-Holstein:
- bsk.hamburg@bamf.bund.de
- Hessen, Nordrhein-Westfalen:
- bsk.koeln@bamf.bund.de
Germany is a nation of innovators, craftsmen and skilled workers. Find out what we have planned to ensure that working as a skilled worker has a future in Germany, thus securing the skilled labour needed by companies.