A state-run language pathway
Germany runs a standard language and civics programme for newcomers, the integration course, and it ends with two tests. This article summarises English-language pages published by the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) on integration courses, their content and stages, the final examination and certificate, and rights and obligations. It concerns Germany. Entitlement, obligation and cost depend on a person’s residence status, which BAMF covers in separate pages, so the rules for a particular person need to be checked with BAMF or a migration advice service. This article is general information, not legal advice.
Structure of the course (Germany)
BAMF says each integration course consists of a language course and an orientation course. It states that the general integration course comprises 700 lesson units, of which the language course takes 600 lesson units, while special courses can run to 900 language lesson units, with up to 1,000 lessons in total. A fast-track course consists of 400 language lesson units. The orientation course takes 100 lesson units. Before the course begins the provider carries out an assessment test that helps decide which stage to start at and whether a special course would be useful. Courses are full-time as a general rule, and part-time provision can be offered in exceptional cases such as employment.
What the language course covers (Germany)
BAMF lists everyday themes such as work and career, basic and further training, raising children, shopping and consumption, leisure time and social interaction, health and hygiene, media use and housing. Learners also practise writing letters and emails in German, completing forms, making telephone calls and applying for jobs. The topics vary by course type, and a youth integration course includes topics of interest to young people such as applying for an apprenticeship.
The orientation course (Germany)
The orientation course follows the language course. BAMF says it covers the German legal system, history and culture, rights and obligations, forms of community life and values such as freedom of religion, tolerance and gender equality. It ends with the “Life in Germany” test.
The German test for immigrants, the DTZ (Germany)
The language course ends with the DTZ. BAMF says the “Zertifikat Integrationskurs” is awarded on an overall result of B1. The DTZ has a written and an oral part:
- the written part lasts 100 minutes and consists of listening and reading exercises, plus a short letter; and
- the oral part lasts about 15 minutes, in which the candidate introduces themselves and talks with the examiners and another candidate about specific topics.
The certificate records overall language skills at level B1 or A2, and a candidate who has not reached A2 receives a letter confirming the result instead. To reach B1 or A2, the candidate must reach that level in the speaking part and in at least one of the other two parts, “Hearing and Reading” or “Writing”. BAMF says this means participants in literacy courses, who usually do not reach B1, can still demonstrate A2. The content is based on the core curriculum for integration courses developed by the Goethe-Institut, and a sample test paper and online exercises are available.
The Life in Germany test (Germany)
The Life in Germany test takes place on a separate date after the orientation course. BAMF says each candidate receives a paper of 33 questions with four possible answers each, and has 60 minutes. To pass the test, at least 15 of the 33 questions must be answered correctly. BAMF adds that, under the Naturalisation Test Ordinance, at least 17 of 33 must be answered correctly to prove the knowledge required for naturalisation under the Nationality Act. The online test centre offers the 310 questions and a sample paper.
Retaking and refunds (Germany)
A participant who has not passed the language test at B1 after the whole integration course can be permitted by BAMF to repeat once by attending an additional 300 lessons, with the right to sit the language test once more free of charge. BAMF’s rights page adds that passing the final examination within two years of receiving the attendance certificate allows half of the money paid for the course to be refunded. Someone who has completed a literacy course and used up their lessons can apply to repeat a maximum of 300 language lessons once, paying €2.29 per lesson unless exempt from fees.
Rights and obligations (Germany)
Participants have the right to choose a course provider locally, unless BAMF allocates a course to someone obliged to attend. The provider must confirm the likely start date, and the course should start within six weeks of registration. Entitlement expires if the course is not started within one year of registering, or attendance is interrupted for more than a year, where the participant is responsible for the delay. Participants must attend regularly and take the final examination, and must pay a contribution before each stage unless exempt. An exemption should be applied for in good time, since it is only retrospectively possible for the first module.
Other German exams
Learners who want a general German qualification rather than the integration course can compare options in this site’s article on DELF, DELE and the Goethe-Zertifikat, and the guide to choosing a language course explains how format and goal fit together.
Common questions
Does the DTZ certify B1 for everyone? BAMF says the certificate records B1 or A2 depending on the result, and a candidate below A2 receives a letter instead.
How many questions must be right in the Life in Germany test? At least 15 of 33 to pass, and at least 17 of 33 for the naturalisation purpose BAMF describes.
Is the course full-time? BAMF says full-time is the general rule, with part-time courses in exceptional cases.
The bottom line
In Germany, the integration course combines a language course to B1 with a 100-lesson orientation course and ends with the DTZ language test and the Life in Germany test. BAMF describes a 100-minute written and 15-minute oral DTZ, retakes with 300 extra lessons and one free re-sit, and a naturalisation-linked pass mark of 17 of 33 on the civics test.
Sources
- Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), “Integration courses”
- Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), “The content and stages of the procedure”
- Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), “The final examination and the certificate”
- Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), “Rights and obligations”