With the vocational language courses (BSK), the Federal Office for Migration provides a broad and needs-oriented range of courses for integration into the labor market. As a follow-up program to the integration courses, migrants can prepare themselves for the world of work and significantly improve their chances on the German labor market. In accordance with Section 45a of the Residence Act, this is a standard instrument of federal language support.
The professional language courses in detail
The basis of the BSK is the basic course, which is basically divided into three types (B1, B2, C1). The basic courses aim at achieving cross-occupational German language skills. Competencies are formed on the basis of general content from the world of work. The group size is at least 15 participants – exceptions are possible. During each course, the progress of the participants is documented in writing by the teacher and evaluated together with the learners at the end of the course. At the end of each course there is a so-called certificate examination. The certificate that can be achieved here not only serves as proof of the services rendered, but also simplifies the further professional path enormously.
Special courses
In addition to the basic courses offered, various special courses are offered:
- Courses with a focus on the recognition process for academic health and medical professions
- Courses with content from the fields of industrial technology and retail trade
- Courses for participants from integration courses who have not yet reached level B1
Participation requirements
General requirements
The following criteria must be met in order to participate in the language courses:
- The participants have a migration background and a need for further language training. This applies to immigrants from third countries, EU citizens and Germans with a migration background.
- Participants have already attended an integration course and/or already speak German at A1, A2, B1, B2 or C1 level according to the CEFR for languages. Please note that for the siege of courses below B2 the previously taken integration course with demonstrably failed German test for immigrants is required.
- Participants must be registered as job seekers and/or already receive benefits according to SGB II or SGB III. These are “Hartz IV” or unemployment benefits.
- Participants should be looking for a training position or already be in one, or be going through the recognition process for their vocational or training qualification.
- If the participants are already in an employment relationship, participation in BSK is also possible. The only prerequisite is that they do not have sufficient language skills to master their future everyday working life without any problems.
For information on the participation in language courses by tolerated persons according to § 4 para. 1 sentence 2 no. 2 DeuFöV, please refer to the article of the bamfs. In principle, job centers and employment agencies decide on participation.
Costs for the professional language courses
In principle, participation in professional language courses is free of charge as long as the taxable annual income is below €20,000 (as of November 2021). Otherwise, there is a cost contribution of €2.32 per teaching unit. For a 600-unit course, the total cost is therefore €1,392. If the student passes the final exam, 50% of the cost contribution can be refunded. The cost contribution can, of course, also be paid by the employee.
