Language

Language is important for coexistence in everyday life. We need language to hear, speak, read, and write. It does not matter if we are in kindergarten, school, in a training course, work, or taking part in leisure activities.

Many immigrants live in Dresden. They come to Dresden from different countries around the world. Learning German helps with integration and makes many things easier.

Most of the German courses for adults are categorized according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). In this framework, there are different levels, also called language levels. There are these levels:

Level A – Elementary Use of Language

A1 – Beginner

A2 – Basic Knowledge

Level B – Independent Use of Language

B1 – Advanced Use of Language

B2 – Independent Use of Language

Level C – Competent Use of Language

C1 – Professional Use of Language

C2 – Approaching Native-Speaker Knowledge

There are standard language courses for adults to learn the German language, which are paid for by the Federal Republic of Germany or the Free State of Saxony. After the language course, there is often an exam. If you pass the exam, you will receive a certificate. The certificate also states the language level.

Before you start a language course, you have to think about following Questions:

• How well can I speak German now? What is my language level?
• How well do I want to speak German eventually? Which language level and which certificate do I need?
• Which regular languages courses are available?
• Which language courses can I take part in and do I have to pay for the course?
• Where can I find the right language course for me?

1) How well can I already speak German? What is my language level?

First consider the following: You may have already attended a German course, already passed an exam in German language or already have a certificate? This could help you to figure out, which kind of language course you should choose.

If you want to check your language skills, you can go to a language school in Dresden. At the language school, you can make a test to determine your level in hearing, speaking, reading, and writing German. This test is called “language placement test” and is for free. There are also online language tests. These online language tests are non-binding and not as good as a language placement test at a language school.

The online testes can only help you to know, which level of German language skills you have. You can find more information here:

2) How well do I want to speak German later on? Which language level and which certificate do I need?

It is important to understand, which language level you need. If you want to do a simple job, the language level B1 could be enough. If you want to do a training course (such as a vocational training), you often need a B2 language level. If you want to go to university, you often need a C1 language level. The principle is always the same – the higher your language level, the more opportunities you have!

3) Which Standard Language Courses are there?

There are Integration Courses.

In these courses, you can learn important skills and knowledge in order to communicate well in Germany. The integration course consists of a language course and an orientation course. The integration course should lead to a B1 language level and ends with the exam, “German Test for Immigrants” and the test, “Life in Germany.” You can find further information here:

There are also special integration courses, for example, an integration course combined with literacy training, a course for those who need to learn the Latin alphabet, a course for young people, or a course for women. If you have never learned to read in any script, you are “primarily illiterate.” It is important that you attend a course with a literacy element. If you have already learned a script other than the Latin alphabet, it is important you attend a “second-script learner” course. If you are between 18 and 27 years and would like to learn, what you need for your future in Germany, you should attend a young peoples’ integration course. For women there are women’s courses with childcare. You can find more information about special integration courses here:

Here you will find current information on women's integration courses in Dresden:

Learning German for professional purposes

If you want to improve your German for a profession or a professional training, you should attend a profession related course (an occupational language course). These courses build on the integration course and take you to the next level of German. There is the basic course and special courses. You can also take part if you already have a job or are in a vocational training as a "further educational course”. You can find more information here:

On the following page of the Federal Employment Agency, you can search for basic and specialised vocational language courses by entering the search term e.g. "German B2" and the location. This will show you all current courses matching your search criteria:

Further information on integration courses, professional language courses, recognition of foreign professional qualifications and special educational offers for professional integration into the training and labour market can be found here:

4) In which language courses can I participate and do I have to pay for the course? Where do I find the right language course for me?

In the following handout you will find information on eligibility for integration courses, as well as important links to advice centres that can help you find a suitable German course:

With BAMF-NAvI, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) offers an information system for contact and advice centres for integration work, current integration projects, as well as information on planned and ongoing integration courses and course locations. You can find this in the following link:

You can find all current or upcoming integration courses in the BAMF- Navi under the following link:

Language courses can also be found in the KURSNET database:

In addition to all of the government-sponsored language courses, there is also a variety of offerings by volunteers in Dresden. They are especially for people who do not yet have access to standard language courses and are an important opportunity to learn the German language. For some, they are places to improve their German language skills, often in addition to regular language courses. For others, they are just places to find friends.

Information and advice on voluntary offers can be obtained from the Volunteer Coordinator in the field of asylum:

Daycare – German learning in kindergarten

Children who attend a daycare facility learn the German language in everyday life there. In such a way, children quite incidentally not only learn the German language but do so in a playful manner. You can support your child by talking a lot with your child in your mother tongue. The day care facilities try to prepare your children for their entire life, including school as well. Language is very important for the educational success of your children. In most cases, children who know several languages learn new languages quickly. To learn more, see this parent information sheet on multilingualism, published in 26 different languages by the “Landeskompetenzzentrum zur Sprachförderung an Kindertageseinrichtungen in Sachsen” (LakoS).

In school, children and young people learn the German language in so-called preparation classes. Preparation classes help children and young people slowly integrate into normal/standard classes. To register your child for a place in a preparation class, go to the "Special Educational Advice" (Besondere Bildungsberatung) of the State Office for School and Education in Dresden (Landesamt für Schule und Bildung). Here, parents, children and young people receive information about educational opportunities and their school careers. If you want to register your child for a preparation class, he/she will be tested to see if he or she is a good candidate. If yes, your child will be registered at a school with preparation classes. In Dresden, there are preparation classes at various types of schools. These are primary schools, secondary schools, vocational school centres and at special-needs schools. If you would like, your child can also attend classes in your native language.

On the following page, you will find information on compulsory schooling in the Free State of Saxony, preparatory classes for non-German-speaking pupils, school entrance examinations, etc.:

Special educational counselling at the State Office for Schools and Education

The special educational counselling service offers individual counselling services for non-German-speaking parents and children or young people on all topics relating to preparation courses, school careers, opportunities to promote the language of origin, etc. and thus supports the integration of these pupils into everyday school life. Parents are obliged to register their school-age children for special counselling before the children or young people can attend school.

Registration via e-mail: daz-bildungsberatung-d@lasub.smk.sachsen.de
or by phone: (0351) 8439113

Office hours: Tuesday, from 1 to 6 pm, only possible by prior appointment

adress: Landesamt für Schule und Bildung, Großenhainer Straße 92, 01127 Dresden

Please bring with you to the special educational counselling the following Documents:

• The identify card or the passport of the person with parental authority who makes the registration
• Registration certificate of the child (Birth certificate of the child)
• Last school report issued to the pupil in the country of origin 

In the brochure »Welcome to Saxony‘s Schools«, parents and children will find important information for starting at schools in Saxony in various languages:

School for undocumented children

Every Child has a right to education.
Your child is thus still allowed to go to school if

• you were not born in Germany.
• you are an EU citizen and do not have a permanent place of residence in Germany.
• you do not have a residence permit from the foreigners’ authorities.

You find further information in different languages and contact points in these flyers:

University Studies

You need very good German language skills to start your studies at a university (often a C1 language level). You can attend university-preparation German classes to learn that level of German. These classes are paid for by the "University Guarantee Fund". At the Youth Migration Service (JMS) of the Caritasverband in Dresden you can find more information about that:

email:   jmd@caritas-dresden.de
phone:   (0351) 49 84 74 2
internet: Caritas Dresden Jugendmigrationsdienst

Community Interpreting Service

If you do not yet speak German very well, an interpreter can help you. Interpreters translate for you from your native language into German. If you have a counselling appointment or an appointment with authorities, you can bring an interpreter with you. In Dresden, there is a community interpreting service for this purpose. The community interpreting service is offered by the “Sächsisches Umschulungs- und Fortbildungswerk Dresden e. V.“.

The organisation helps to establish contact with an interpreter in your native language. The interpreters can translate for you. They are also familiar with your culture and traditions. Interpreters are always learning new things. Some authorities, for example the Job Centre and the Office for Child Day Care, usually cover the costs of the community interpreting service. Please ask the authorities in advance whether the office can cover the costs or not. 

E-mail address for direct contact: gdd@sufw.de

You can find the website for the "Community Interpreting Service" here:

Information about Afeefa.de

Afeefa.de is a multilingual internet site. The website shows the social engagement in Dresden on a map of the city. From language classes to counseling to group leisure activities, there are many topics covered by the website. The language options range from German courses to interpreters. New activities and events are regularly updated on the website. If you click on an event, you will get more information and contact details. The website is available in fourteen different languages. The languages are English, German, Farsi, Arabic, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, French, Romanian, Russian, Turkish, Ukrainian and Vietnamese: