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Job-related German Courses

Job-related German courses – Funded by the BAMF

Our job-related German courses are designed to help you improve your German language skills for easier integration into the German job market. You have the choice between the  Special Courses A2 and B1, the Basic Courses B2 and C1 and other job-related language courses in which you can expand your language skills in special areas.

Learning German for your job

The job-related language courses according to Section 45 of the German Residence Act are part of the measures for migrants who want to improve their language skills to achieve integration into the German job market. At the ISK we offer you these BAMF-sponsored job-related language courses (BSK) at almost all language levels. After you have attended an integration course, you can continue to work on the basic use of the language in the Special Course A2. It is also possible to start at a higher language level, such as B2 and C1.

The language courses target migrants who need a B2/C1 language certificate to enter the job market or for the recognition of their job qualifications earned abroad. Course contents include, e.g. Communication in the workplace, Looking for a job, Continuing education and training and Legal regulations.

Special job-related language courses for specific occupational groups

In addition to general job-related language courses, the BAMF also supports specialized language courses that relate in particular to a specific occupational group or field. Our offers in the health-care sector include German for Medical Professionals and German for Specialist Health-Care Professionals. We also offer specialist language courses in the retail trade and commercial-technology sector.

You acquire or expand the specialist language skills for you need for your job. These courses are characterized above all by small groups and, in addition to the German lessons, by the integration of specialist lecturer units. They are mainly aimed at people with German as a second language who are in the process of having their professional qualifications recognized or who are specifically seeking to pursue their profession or job training in a specific field in Germany.

The already existing basic courses B2 and C1 as well as the courses “German for Medical Professionals” and “German for Health Care Professions” have been taught in the virtual classroom since April 6, 2020. The basic courses B2 with a bridge element and the special courses B1 have been on offer digitally since April 14, 2020.

Monday – Friday | 25 hours per week | 12-20 weeks

Monday - Friday | 20 hours per week | 15-25 weeks

Learn German, experience Germany

Jobcoaching

Vocational training strategies for integration into the German job market, especially for migrants.

Special Courses

For Medical Professionals, Pharmacists and Retail Trade Workers.

Job-related German Courses

Designed to help you improve your German language skills for easier integration into the German job market.

FAQ

Who can attend a job-related German course?

  • You speak German as a second language, are of working age and have access to the job market.
  • You must be registered as looking for employment and/or, as a rule, receive benefits according to SGB II (Hartz IV) or SGB III (unemployment benefit).
  • You need further language training.
  • You are looking for a training position, are already in training or are currently having your job or training qualifications recognized.
  • You have already successfully completed an Integration Course.

Who pays for the job-related German course?

If you are currently employed and do not receive any financial aid from the state, you will be charged € 2.32 per teaching unit/lesson.

Cost Exemption

The course is funded by the BAMF and is free of charge for students who:

  • receive unemployment benefits (Arbeitslosengeld II) or
  • social welfare.

What is the aim of the job-related German course?

The A2 language level is not yet sufficient for successful integration into the job market. The aim of the Special Course A2 is to encourage participants to go beyond the A2 language level, so that, after successfully completing this course, they can go on directly to Special Course B1.

The aim of courses B1-C1 is to give participants better chances of getting a job by improving their job-related German language skills. They are encouraged in these courses to consider trying out a new field, to continue on with their training/education or to accept a job that corresponds to their qualifications.

How long is a job-related German course?

Course type

Target language level

Total hours

Mornings

Afternoons

Special Course A2

A2

400

16 weeks

20 weeks

Special Course B1

B1

400

16 weeks

20 weeks

Basic Course B2

B2

400

16 weeks

20 weeks

Basic Course B2 with Bridge Element

B2

500

20 weeks

25 weeks

Basic Course C1

C1

400

16 weeks

20 weeks

German for Medical Professionals

Technical terminology (C1)

400 (at ISK)

16 weeks

20 weeks

German for Specialist Health-Care Professionals

Technical terminology (B2)

500 (at ISK)

20 weeks

25 weeks

German for the Retail Trade

Development of language and communication skills (B1-B2)

300

12 weeks

15 weeks

German for Commercial-Technical Occupations

Development of language and communication skills (B1-B2)

300

12 weeks

15 weeks

Which examinations are taken at the end of a job-related German course?

The job-related language courses end with a telc language examination. The telc language certificates are internationally recognized by companies, government agencies, schools and universities. Having a recognized language certificate improves your prospects on the job market. As a licensed examination center, we offer telc examinations from A1-C1.

There are no telc examinations offered for the German for Medical Professionals courses, as the specialist language examination in Lower Saxony is held by the Medical Association of Lower Saxony only. The special courses for commercial technology and retail trade end with a progress report on language and communicative competence and, if required, a telc examination.

Exams in the job-related German courses

Course type

telc exam

Special Course A2

A2+ profession

Special Course B1

B1+ profession

Basic Course B2

B1 B2 profession

Basic Course B2 with Bridge Element

B1 B2 profession

Basic Course C1

C1

German for Medical Professionals

-

German for Specialist Health-Care Professionals

B1 B2 nursing care

German for the Retail Trade

As needed, B1 B2 profession

German for Commercial-Technical Occupations

As needed B1 B2 profession

Can I repeat the job-related German course?

Yes. If you don’t pass the course after having attended it and taking the examination properly, the course and the examination can be repeated. In order to repeat the course, you must apply again for the corresponding authorizsation to the Job Center, the Federal Employment Agency or the BAMF.

Advising | Placement

If you come to the ISK with proof of eligibility for a job-related DeuFöV language course, you can go directly to our office and register for a course. If you do not yet have proof of eligibility, we can find out in a personal interview with you whether or not the BSK according to the DeuFöV is the right course for you. If necessary, we will have you take a placement test and give you a written course recommendation with the corresponding dates and times. After that, your personal contact person at the Job Center can give you your proof of eligibility.

Registration: Monday – Thursday by appointment in Escherstr. 22 | Phone: 0511 12356360 | Mail: office@isk-hannover.de

Can I repeat the special course?

Yes. If you fail the exam, even though you have attended classes and taken the exam properly, you can repeat the course once. For the course repetition, you must again apply for a participation authorization at the Job Center, the Employment Agency or the BAMF.

What examinations are there in the course?

Following this course, the participants can take the job-related language examination at the Lower Saxony Medical Association or the Lower Saxony Chamber of Pharmacists, for which you register independently.

What is special about this specialized language course?

We offer you not only competent German language instruction by qualified teachers, but also specialized language instruction by medical or pharmaceutical specialists. Depending on the course orientation, these are practicing physicians or pharmacists. They will practice practical communication situations with you, talk to you about everyday working life and the German healthcare system. All your job-related questions will be answered in the units presented by the specialist speakers.

What is the goal of the special language course for medical professionals/pharmacists?

The aim of the course is both the acquisition of the respective linguistic competencies for obtaining the license to practice medicine and the linguistic preparation for everyday professional life. The professional language competencies are expanded through the following professional communication situations that are part of the professional language examination: patient advising, interprofessional and intercollegiate communication, and medical and pharmaceutical documentation. The course prepares the participants for the job-related language examination of the Lower Saxony Medical Association and the Lower Saxony Chamber of Pharmacists. The aim is to achieve a proficiency level of C1 according to the CEFR. In addition to the development of general language skills, specialized vocabulary and job-specific idioms from everyday work, the aim is to become familiar with the conceptual world of professional culture, for example with regard to key competencies and understanding of roles.

How long does a specialist language course sponsored by the BAMF take?

The course consists of 400 hours of lessons. In the ISK, the morning classes are 5 hours and the afternoon classes are 4 hours a day. The course lasts between 16-20 weeks.

What do I need to get the authorization to participate in the course?

If you are not yet authorized to participate, we will be happy to apply for it together with you. You will make our work easier by submitting your documents to us before your appointment. You will need the following documents for your application:

- Copy of your application for recognition of your foreign professional qualification

- Copy of the German translation of proof of your foreign professional qualification

- Copy of your current residence permit

- Copy of your B2 language certificate

- If applicable, copy of the income tax assessment notice or copies of the remuneration statements (pay slips) for the last three months in the case of individual assessment

How can I register for a special language course?

You need an authorization to attend the special course entitled "Academic Health Professions", which you can get from your contact person at the Job Center or the Employment Agency. If you have a valid residence permit that entitles you to attend the course (e.g. residence permit §16b, §16d, §16f, §17a, §18a or §18b), we will be happy to apply together to the BAMF for your authorization to attend the course. If you would like to do so, please make an appointment with us by e-mail (office@isk-hannover.de) or telephone (0511 12356360).

How do healthcare professionals participate in the course?

In addition to the German language training, there are sessions taught by specialized instructors. One of our specialist lecturers is Mr. Idrissu Kamara. He is a former ISK student and now works as a trained nurse. You can find out more about him in our video interview

Where can I get authorization to attend the course?

You can get your authorization to attend the course from the person responsible for you at the Job Center or the Employment Agency.

Who is the specialized language course for healthcare professionals suitable for?

The specialized language course is aimed at those who have completed training in healthcare and nursing, physiotherapy or maternity care in their home country. It includes preparation for the B2 exam and comprises 500 hours of instruction. We train you in intercultural oral communication with medical staff, patients and relatives and show you the different forms of documentation in the healthcare sector. The courses are taught by qualified teachers with the assistance of healthcare professionals.

Where can I get authorization to attend the course?

You can get your authorization to attend the course from the person responsible for you at the Job Center or the Employment Agency.

What are the prerequisites for participation in this specialized language course?

  • Experience or interest in a job in the commercial-technical field, or in the retail trade
  • Eligibility for a DeuFöV vocational language course according to § 45 Residence Act
  • Proof of German language skills at the B1 level

This job qualification measure is funded by: