Language Acquisition and Language Development
A basic knowledge of German is essential for living and working in Germany. In many professions, subject-specific language skills are required in addition to general knowledge of the German language. Most degree programs also require a sufficient level of language proficiency.
The federal government generally offers two programs designed to support language acquisition: integration courses and job-related German language courses. For apprentices with a migrant background, the federal government offers special vocational language courses.
There are a number of other options for acquiring and improving German language skills. On the “Kursnet” portal for vocational training and continuing education from the Federal Employment Agency, you will find a wide range of language courses with a vocational focus and for different language proficiency levels. The courses are offered on a full-time or part-time basis and can also be taken online. In addition, there is a wide variety of offerings from private language schools and independent language instructors who teach outside of traditional classroom settings. Furthermore, the market offers countless self-study books, online courses, and language learning apps. Publicly funded and volunteer-run projects, in turn, provide free resources that can complement language learning. The German Adult Education Association (Deutscher Volkshochschulverband), for example, offers the online learning platform www.iwdl.de. The Goethe-Institut’s website also features free online resources for learning German.
Our regional advisors can help you find the right program and are also available to answer any questions you may have about language learning in the workplace.
In the resource center, you will find more detailed information on assessing language proficiency, as well as tips and resources for promoting language acquisition in the workplace.