Arriving in the Ruhrgebiet
Learning German
Learning German is one of the most important steps you can take to prepare for your life in Germany. This will help you to settle in more quickly and make new friends. For certain purposes, such as work or study, it may even be necessary for you to prove certain German language skills. Proof of certain German language skills is often also required to apply for a visa.
Language and integration courses
Would you like to learn German? In addition to private language course providers, there are also subsidised integration courses from the federal government and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Get advice on which course is right for you.
Integration courses are offered in many cities in the Ruhr region. Here you can learn German or improve your German. You will also learn a lot about Germany, the Ruhr region, traditions and everyday life. You also have the opportunity to socialise and get to know other people. They are aimed at adults and young people who are no longer of school age. The integration courses are open to foreign nationals, ethnic German repatriates, German nationals and refugees with good prospects of staying.
Each integration course consists of a German course (basic course and advanced course) and an orientation course. The aim of the integration course is for you to successfully take the final test. This consists of a language test (level B1) and the "Living in Germany" test. Here you can find information from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and on specific types of courses.
Vocational language courses
Vocational language courses
If you would like to continue learning German after the integration course or another German course, you may be able to take a vocational language course. This course is also called "German for the job" or "job-related German language support". A vocational German course is designed to help you gain a foothold in the German labour market or gain further qualifications. You can find more information on vocational language courses and an overview of the courses on offer at the Federal Employment Agency.
Learning German online
Learning German online
You can select content from numerous online platforms, depending on what you want to learn and how good your knowledge already is.
In the learning portalVhs you will find free online German courses at various levels from A1 to B2. These courses are suitable for self-study. You will be accompanied by an online tutor who will correct your tasks, provide feedback, give you personalised advice and motivate you. The learning portal requires no prior knowledge.
At the Goethe-Institut you will also find various free programmes thatyou can use to test and improve your German language skills.
You can also find out about news from Germany and the world on the Deutsche Welle website and practise and improve your German with the interactive learning offers.