Language

Language is the basis for good integration. The services offered in Dresden for language acquisition and language development are diverse. Various language courses cover different language levels. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees finances integration courses and language courses particularly geared toward everyday work. Various organizations and initiatives also offer a number of courses. Immigrants under the age of 26 can attend preparation classes, depending on their age, in grade school, secondary schools, or vocational schools.

The General Interpreter Service is an important service. It assists with doctor’s visits, bureaucratic procedures, and in the educational system. The trained volunteer native speakers can also mediate cultural differences. The General Interpreter Service should only be called on if your level of German is too low for sufficient comprehension. The use of the General Interpreter Service has been rising for years.

By 2020, the Dresden city administration should take the following steps:

• Expansion and improvement of the offerings of language courses, principally for asylum seekers and people, who need extra help with language acquisition
• Provision of sufficient financial help for the General Interpreter Service so that it can give the necessary support to the growing number of immigrants