General Integration Course

An integration course is a language and orientation course that helps people with a migration background learn German and find their way in Germany. The course consists of a language course and an orientation course in which you receive information about life in Germany.

Learn at ZeBuS e.V. either directly on-site in Berlin-Neukölln or comfortably nationwide from home in our online integration courses.

You can participate in an integration course if you have immigrated to Germany and want to learn German. People who have been living in Germany for a longer time but still have difficulties with the language can also participate. Participation is mandatory for certain groups of people, e.g. new immigrants. Registration and advice is provided by ZeBuS e.V.

• Valid passport or ID card
• Obligation or authorization to participate (from BAMF, Jobcenter or the Immigration Authority).
• If available: Current benefit notice (Bürgergeld/SGB II) to apply for a cost exemption.
• We are happy to advise you on all further steps and help you with registration.

Your path to the integration course in three steps:

1. Make an appointment: Book your appointment online, by phone, or come every Tuesday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm without an appointment. Please expect waiting time on Tuesdays.
2. Placement test: At the appointment we test your language level and advise you personally to find the right course.
3. Registration: After the assessment we register you directly for your optimal course.

Please bring the following documents to your appointment:

• Valid passport or ID card
• Obligation or authorization to participate (from BAMF, Jobcenter or the Immigration Authority) – original
• If available: Current benefit notice (Bürgergeld/SGB II) to apply for a cost exemption.

Yes! ZeBuS e.V. offers nationwide online integration courses. Consultation is conveniently done by video appointment. Here is a brief summary for your nationwide online registration:

Online appointment: Simply book your video consultation here. You don't need to come to Berlin.

Documents in advance: Send us scans of your ID, obligation/authorization and your benefit notice if available by email to info@zebus-ev.de for review.

Placement test: This must take place in person on-site. Visit us in Berlin or take the test at a provider near you and send us the result.

Consultation & Registration: During the video appointment we discuss your result and select your course.

Originals by post: To complete registration, you must send us your original obligation/authorization by registered mail. Only then is the registration binding.

Address: ZeBuS e.V., Richardstr. 66, 12055 Berlin

Completion: After successful registration you will receive all confirmations by email.

The courses are funded by BAMF and are free of charge for you with an obligation from the Jobcenter. Late repatriates and their family members can participate once free of charge. You can also be exempted if you receive Bürgergeld, social welfare or have a low income – simply bring your benefit notice. Without an exemption you pay a contribution of €2.29 per hour.

We are happy to advise you on all further steps and help you with cost exemption.

With a placement test before the course begins, we determine your current language level and advise you personally to select the ideal course for you.

With the course you reach language level B1 and complete with the recognized TELC exam. This allows you to communicate confidently in everyday life and at work. Your advantage: The certificate is an important proof for your permanent residence permit or naturalization.

How long your course lasts depends on your prior knowledge. In a conversation we find the right model for you:

• General Integration Course: This course typically includes 600 hours of language course and 100 hours of orientation course.
• Literacy Course: If you are learning to read and write from scratch, you have more time. This course offers 1200 hours of language course and 100 hours of orientation course.
• Low-Literacy Course: Here too, up to 1200 hours are usually available to safely reach the goal.

The course ends with two exams: the German Test for Immigrants (DTZ) for language level A2/B1 and the "Living in Germany" test (LiD) for the orientation course.

Those who pass both receive the "Integration Course Certificate".

If you complete the course within two years with B1 and the "Living in Germany" test, BAMF will refund 50% of the fees upon request. We will help you with the application.

In certain courses such as literacy and low-literacy courses, you can receive authorization for up to 300 additional lessons if you have not yet reached language level B1.

After the integration course, you can continue learning at ZeBuS e.V. in funded vocational language courses to reach level B2 and prepare optimally for the German labor market.

ZeBuS e.V. offers BAMF-funded general integration courses, literacy and low-literacy courses as well as vocational language courses at B2 level, early childhood education courses up to C1 language level and job vocational language courses.

We offer various course times so you can choose the model that suits your everyday life:

• Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 12:15 (20 lessons)
• Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 13:10 (25 lessons)
• Monday to Friday from 12:45 to 16:00 (20 lessons)
• Monday to Thursday from 17:00 to 20:15 (16 lessons)

Parents can use free childcare at our location at Richardstraße 66. This is available when capacity permits from 09:00 to 12:15 during morning course times.

Simply ask us directly at your registration whether we still have a free place for your child in childcare.

The required course books will be communicated to you and must be purchased before the course begins.