The German government has recently taken significant steps to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of integration courses, ensuring continuous support into 2025. Let’s dive into the details of the new regulations and their impact.
What Are the New Changes in Integration Courses?
The Federal Cabinet has approved a new ordinance aimed at making integration courses more effective and efficient. This decision ensures the continuation of these courses in 2025, even if interim budget management is necessary. Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and Federal Finance Minister Jörg Kukies have confirmed the financial support for this initiative.
What Do Integration Courses Include?
Integration courses consist of language and orientation classes, typically comprising 700 instructional units. These courses teach newcomers the German language and provide essential knowledge about Germany’s legal system, history, culture, and core values such as religious freedom, tolerance, and gender equality.
How Will the New Ordinance Improve Course Effectiveness?
The newly passed ordinance focuses on catering to individual learning prerequisites and progress. By offering tailored courses that take into account educational backgrounds and learning speeds (slow, average, or fast), the courses will become more precise and effective. A placement test will help accurately assign participants to the right course module based on their existing language skills, allowing some to complete their courses faster.
What Are the Benefits of Tailored Course Types?
Tailored course types, such as alphabetization courses, will allow for specific repetition if needed. Further language acquisition can be achieved through professional language courses or self-learning formats, even alongside employment. Various other measures will also contribute to reducing bureaucracy and creating a more economical course system, ensuring the sustainability of integration courses amid high enrolment numbers.
How Significant Are the Participation Numbers?
Since 2022, participation in integration courses has steadily increased, with over 300,000 individuals starting courses each year. In 2023, a record 363,000 participants enrolled, and as of November 24, 2024, more than 325,000 individuals have begun an integration course this year.
What Do International Organizations Say About Germany’s Integration Efforts?
The OECD’s report “State of Integration of Immigrants – Germany 2024” confirms that more than half of working-age immigrants in Germany have participated in a language course, one of the highest rates among European OECD countries.
Wraping up:
With these new regulations, Germany aims to accelerate integration processes, making courses more efficient and effective. This strategic move ensures financial stability for integration courses and addresses the diverse needs of participants, paving the way for a more inclusive society.
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