The "Integrationskurs für Ausländer"

Basic information and requirements:
For those of you new to Germany or considering moving here, learning the language is probably the single most important thing you can do for yourself. Nothing here is in English. Not the labels in supermarkets, not the shows on television and certainly not the everyday person you meet on the street. In fact, unless you live in a large city like Berlin or a international city like Frankfurt it's very rare that you will meet someone who will know more than one sentence in English.

And that's ok, you are after all in their country. To that end the German government, in an attempt to better integrate immigrants, devised a language program to help us help ourselves. Yeah, I just had a Jerry MacGuire moment too.

The German government recognises 6 levels of German: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2.

A1 indicates that one has very little to no German skils and C2 means that you would basically speak at the level of a native speaker. B2 is recognised as the minimum level you need to work here and C1 gets you into University. B1 is the minimum you should aim for. At that level you will be able to have everyday conversations without feeling unsure of yourself.

The Integrationskurs ends when you have passed the B1 examination which you take after having attended the required hours. When you sign up for the course they make you take an "Einstufungstest" which dictates the level of German you have. If you speak no German you are looking at 600 hours or 6 months. If you test into a higher level you obviously have to attend less course hours.

At the end of the language portion of the course there is a "Politics & Culture" mini-course that lasts 30 hours. From my own experience this is not compulsory if you are not looking to become a citizen of Germany. However, it is interesting if you wish to learn more about the place you're living. I didn't attend this part of the course so I can't really give you any details about it.

Now that you kind of have an idea of what the course entails there are a few details that I'd also like to go over. The German government subsidises quite a bit of the course and at the end of it all you only have to pay €1 per hour. The course is offered through your local/regional "Volkshochschule" (adult education center).

Before you go and take the test/register you must already have visited your local "Kreisverwaltung" (local government offices) in order to obtain a "Freizügigkeitsbescheinigung". I swear I didn't just make that word up. In English that is a work permit for EU citizens.

For those of you that aren't EU citizens you will need an "Aufenthaltserlaubnis" (residence permit) along with a "Meldebescheinigung" (proof that you've registered to live where you live). If you have been sponsored to work here by your company, those documents will also suffice. Whew! That's a buttload of paperwork eh? Get used to it, it's a German thing.

What to expect:
You will be doing 4.5 hours of German, 5 days a week, for 6 months (if starting at A1). That will feel slightly overwhelming. At times you will even question if going through all the hassle is even worth it. It is, I promise you that.

Once you sign up you have to treat the course as a workplace. You are not going to be able to randomly skip classes without a doctors excuse if you're away for more than 3 days. If you're going to be late or miss the whole day I strongly urge you to contact the course director so they don't think you just can't be bothered.

Buy a good dictionary. I like the Langenscheidt because it's the most recognised/available and most complete collection. They also have grammar aids etc which can be useful. You will get books for the course (approx. €52), but it always helps to have a back-up.

You ready?

Information to get you started:
1)Find and contact your Kreisverwaltung in order to make sure you have the required documents before you begin
2) Find a place that's offering the course (.pdf format)
3) Check out the books Langenscheidt offers
4) Have a look at the course books used
5) Check out the official BAMF (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge) page in English

If there is anything I've left out please feel free to leave me a comment. I've tried to be as all-inclusive as possible without scaring the crap out of you =P

Happy trails!
..Belinda