The immigration office will also give you a certificate of eligibility for the integration course and a list of course providers, or language schools. You can then look for a language school in your area and enrol there. Some language schools also offer online integration courses.

You can also find the addresses of integration course providers under Important addresses or search for course providers in your area. These are shown on the map together with contact details such as address and telephone number.

After signing up for a course, you will take a language level assessment test with the course provider to find out which course is best for you. You usually have to pay € 2.29 per lesson, however, not all participants have to pay for the course. You can obtain further information from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. The integration course consists of a language course and an orientation course.

The regular language course consists of 600 lessons. These focus on practical aspects of daily life, such as shopping, housing, children, media, leisure activities, school and work, and also medical appointments.

At the end of the course, you will take a final exam called the German test for immigrants Glossary . After passing the test, you will receive an integration course certificate. This certificate certifies that you can speak, read and write German to A2 or B1 level. Employers may ask to see this certificate. Sometimes, certain authorities, such as the immigration office, will also ask to see it. If you want to become a German citizen, the integration course certificate is also useful to have.

After the language course, you take the orientation course. The orientation course consists of 100 lessons. You will learn all about the German legal system, and about the history and culture of the country. Other important topics include values and living together in German society. At the end of the course, you will take the final “Living in Germany” test.

What if you don’t pass the final test? You can repeat the 300 lessons. You can also retake the test.

A special integration course is available for young people up to the age of 27, known as the youth integration course. This course is helpful if you want to do vocational training. For more information, visit the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. Some cities also offer specialised courses, such as courses for women only, literacy courses or courses that provide childcare. Ask at the language school.

Are you looking for work? Or do you want to improve your German for the workplace? If so, you can take a vocational language course, where you will learn German specifically for the work environment. To join a vocational language course, you should already have basic German language skills or have completed the integration course. Ask at the employment agency, the job centre or your employer.