Courses

 
There are many language course providers in Germany. Most of them can be found on the internet.
 

Language certificates

For the recognition of foreign professional qualifications, it is often required to present a language certificate issued by a certified language course provider. These include, among others, certificates by Goethe, Telc, ÖSD, and TestDaF.  
 

Goethe institutes operate all over the world. German language courses are offered in many cities. Goethe institutes offer general language courses as well as courses for specific professions, such as nurses or doctors. For more information, please click here: https://www.goethe.de/en/index.html
 

The Telc institute itself does not offer language courses. Telc language tests are provided by many language schools. On the Telc website, you can find a course that concludes with a Telc examination. There are general courses as well as courses for specific professional groups. In addition, there are online courses available. 
For more information, please click here: https://www.telc.net/
 

The German acronym ÖSD stands for „Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch“. The ÖSD institute itself does not offer courses and exams. On the ÖSD website, you can find courses that conclude with ÖSD exams: https://www.osd.at/en/
 

TestDaF stands for „Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache“. It is an internationally recognized German language exam. Tests are offered all over the world. For more information (in German), please visit the TestDaF website: https://www.testdaf.de/
 

Integrationskurse

If you are from abroad and want to work and live permanently in Germany, you may attend an integration course. Integration courses are official German language courses. In addition to language, you will also learn about German history, politics, and society. At the end of each course, you will participate in a final examination.
 
In a first step, the Foreigners’ Authority will determine whether you are entitled or required to attend an integration course, depending on your country of origin, your knowledge of German, and your residence permit. In some cases, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) covers part of the costs and participants pay a reduced fee. In other cases, BAMF covers the total amount of the costs. 
 
For more information, please click here:
 

Vocational language courses

In addition to integration courses and other general language courses, there are vocational language courses, i.e. specific courses for various professional groups, such as nurses. There are basic courses (general language for all professions) and special courses (specific language for specific professions). In addition, there are so-called Job-BSK occupational language courses.
For more information, please click here and here.
 
 

Courses before and during vocational training

Would you like to improve your German language skills before or during vocational training? There are various German courses free of charge, which may help you to achieve this goal. These include intensive annual courses and summer courses for (future) trainees as well as pilot courses for specific professions, such as nursing.
More information can be found on this website (in German).
 
Do you have any questions? Please do not hesitate to contact the team of the Welcome Center Sozialwirtschaft. We will be glad to get back to you.