Literacy Course
Alphabetisation Course – Learn German with more time
Integration courses at ZeBuS e.V. comprehensively accompany migrants on their journey in Germany and promote sustainable integration into society.
Learn to read and write – together and without pressure.
Learn in small groups and take up to 1,300 hours – exactly the time you need for your success!
What will you learn?
This course is perfect for people who cannot write in their native language or cannot write in Latin script.
Language Course: 900 teaching units
Orientation Course: 100 teaching units
Language Course (900 teaching units)
Here you learn German up to level B1.
- The alphabet: You learn all the letters and how to write them in Latin script.
- Reading & writing: We practise step by step how to read and write words, sentences and short texts.
- Speaking German: At the same time, you learn to communicate in German in everyday life (e.g. when shopping or at the doctor).
- Learning techniques: You learn how to successfully learn a language and organise yourself.
Orientation Course (100 teaching units)
Here it is about life in Germany
- Law: The German legal system, laws, rights and obligations.
- History: Important events in German history.
- Culture: Values like freedom of religion, equality and tolerance.
Which exam do I take at the end?
German Test for Immigrants (DTZ)
The language exam for levels A2 – B1
"Living in Germany" Test (LiD)
A test on knowledge from the orientation course
Book an appointment
Registration & Consultation (No appointment needed)
Have questions about our courses or want to register? Just stop by!
Note: Please bring your ID and (if available) your obligation letter from Jobcenter or BAMF.
Choose your appointment type
Funding / Costs
In many cases, the integration course is free for you. This applies if you:
- receive benefits from the Jobcenter (Bürgergeld / ALG II) or social assistance
- have an admission / authorization from BAMF or the Jobcenter that exempts you from costs
For Self-Payers
If you do not receive state support, you pay €2.29 per lesson. Money back: If you successfully pass the final exam within two years, you can apply to BAMF for a 50% refund of what you paid!
Registration
What do you need?
- Passport or ID card
- Authorization / admission to participate in the integration course from the Jobcenter, Immigration Authority, or BAMF (original)
- The integration course is free for you if you receive Jobcenter benefits (Bürgergeld / ALG II) or social welfare
- Please bring your current approval notice from the Jobcenter or social welfare office to registration (copy)
We are happy to advise you on full cost coverage!
Book AppointmentWhat the course offers you
Register now for the Literacy Course
Secure your spot — free consultation included
What is a literacy course?
A literacy course is your entry point if you still need to learn to read and write in Latin script. The BAMF-funded course includes up to 1,000 teaching units (UE) and prepares you for the German test for immigrants (DTZ) and the "Life in Germany" test (LiD). Here we learn the letters and at the same time the German language in small groups without any pressure.
You have up to 1,300 hours to learn the Latin script at your own pace, master important everyday hurdles such as forms or letters, and discover practical learning tricks for your self-organisation. Lessons take place in person in Berlin-Neukölln or online; for eligible participants the Jobcenter, Employment Agency or BAMF cover the costs.
Your goal is language level A2, but if things go well, you can even achieve the B1 certificate.
What awaits you in our courses
Our (integration course-accompanying) childcare is funded within the framework of the ESF Plus programme "Integration Course with Child Plus: Perspective through Qualification" by the Federal Ministry of Education, Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth in cooperation with the Federal Ministry of the Interior and by the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF Plus).
Information Sheet for Integration Courses
The information sheet contains important information about the integration course and is available in various languages.
Download
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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.
Your advantages:
- Plenty of time: The course is very intensive and has up to 1000 teaching units (900 hours of language + 100 hours of orientation course).
Learn at ZeBuS e.V. either directly on-site in Berlin-Neukölln or comfortably nationwide from home in our online integration courses.
Your advantages:
- Plenty of time: The course is very intensive and has up to 1000 teaching units (900 hours of language + 100 hours of orientation course).
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.
Your advantages:
- Plenty of time: The course is very intensive and has up to 1000 teaching units (900 hours of language + 100 hours of orientation course).
- 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 advantages:
- Plenty of time: The course is very intensive and has up to 1000 teaching units (900 hours of language + 100 hours of orientation course).
Your path to the integration course in three steps:
- 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.
- Placement test: At the appointment we test your language level and advise you personally to find the right course.
- 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.
Your advantages:
- Plenty of time: The course is very intensive and has up to 1000 teaching units (900 hours of language + 100 hours of orientation course).
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.
Your advantages:
- Plenty of time: The course is very intensive and has up to 1000 teaching units (900 hours of language + 100 hours of orientation course).
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.
Your advantages:
- Plenty of time: The course is very intensive and has up to 1000 teaching units (900 hours of language + 100 hours of orientation course).
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.
Your advantages:
- Plenty of time: The course is very intensive and has up to 1000 teaching units (900 hours of language + 100 hours of orientation course).
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.
Your advantages:
- Plenty of time: The course is very intensive and has up to 1000 teaching units (900 hours of language + 100 hours of orientation course).
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.
Your advantages:
- Plenty of time: The course is very intensive and has up to 1000 teaching units (900 hours of language + 100 hours of orientation course).
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".
Your advantages:
- Plenty of time: The course is very intensive and has up to 1000 teaching units (900 hours of language + 100 hours of orientation course).
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.
Your advantages:
- Plenty of time: The course is very intensive and has up to 1000 teaching units (900 hours of language + 100 hours of orientation course).
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.
Your advantages:
- Plenty of time: The course is very intensive and has up to 1000 teaching units (900 hours of language + 100 hours of orientation course).
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.
Your advantages:
- Plenty of time: The course is very intensive and has up to 1000 teaching units (900 hours of language + 100 hours of orientation course).
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.
Your advantages:
- Plenty of time: The course is very intensive and has up to 1000 teaching units (900 hours of language + 100 hours of orientation course).
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)
Your advantages:
- Plenty of time: The course is very intensive and has up to 1000 teaching units (900 hours of language + 100 hours of orientation course).
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.
Your advantages:
- Plenty of time: The course is very intensive and has up to 1000 teaching units (900 hours of language + 100 hours of orientation course).
The required course books will be communicated to you and must be purchased before the course begins.
Your advantages:
- Plenty of time: The course is very intensive and has up to 1000 teaching units (900 hours of language + 100 hours of orientation course).
ZeBuS e.V. – Google Reviews
Based on 540 reviews
morenikeji baruwa
I honestly cannot recommend this school enough. From the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed and supported throughout my entire learning journey. First, a special mention to the lovely receptionist with the tattoo (I'm so sorry I can't remember your name!). You are absolutely amazing. Your kindness, encouragement, and genuine happiness for me when I passed my B1 exam meant so much. People like you make a huge difference in a student's experience. I also want to give a huge shout-out to my teachers, especially Franz. As an international who struggled to learn German for the past six years, I had almost given up hope. But Franz completely changed that. He has an incredible ability to explain even the most difficult concepts in the simplest way possible, making everything easy to understand and remember. Franz, if you ever read this: thank you. I genuinely appreciate everything you did for me. You have no idea how much this B1 certificate means to me and how much you've helped me achieve something I once thought was impossible. I love you Man lol 🤣… My other teacher, Simon, was fantastic as well. He was supportive, and always willing to help. I learned so much from both of them. The feeling of learning a new language, preparing for the exam, and finally passing it is indescribable. It has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. If you're looking for the best place to learn German in Berlin, this is it. I'm saying this as someone who has lived in Germany for seven years and spent years struggling from one language school to another. None of them compare to this school. Take my word for it: this school is truly second to none. Thank you to everyone here for helping me achieve a goal that means so much to me. 5 ⭐️ isnt enough to justify this school honestly . Highly recommend. For those skeptical : The taste of the pudding is in the eating- go try it yourself😁. Vielen Dank ❤️.
jane doe
Did my B2 für Beruf kurs and it was great. The office team were amazing and ensured I was able to register for the required course and my teachers, Rajani and Komel were both excellent! I found them both friendly and knowledgeable also an important point for online classes, they were both very competent using zoom and the other online learning tools we used in class. I would definitely recommend this school!
Giannis Vassaras
Pretty positive impression in general. The staff at the office were extremely helpful and friendly both times I enrolled for the online B1 DTZ + Leben in Deutschland and B2 DTB courses. Both teachers (Barbara and Isabella) I came across are highly skilled, have a lot of patience and give you everything you need (PDF's, Links etc) to succeed in the final exams. All you need is to find time to study. For people who are looking for in person classes, live in Neukölln or Kreuzberg and dont want long commute is a must choice.
suhasini ramesh
I have had a very positive experience with ZeBuS e.V. Zentrum für Bildung und Sprache e.V. I completed my A2 and B1 levels here, and I am currently continuing with my B2 course as well. The structured approach and consistent support have made a big difference in my progress. A special mention to my teacher Isabella, who has been incredibly helpful and dedicated. Her teaching style is clear, patient, and encouraging, which has made learning German much more comfortable and effective for me. Overall, I’m very satisfied with my experience and would definitely recommend the institute to anyone looking to learn German in a supportive environment.
Moumita Ghosh
I have been taking the B2 DTB course with ZeBus since December 2025. I have had a very positive experience so far, the course is well structured and our teacher Isabella Wagner is ver professional and excels in her role. She explains the grammatical concepts very well and the regular revisions of the previously taught concepts help us a lot.Also the learn materials along with the LMS application is also very helpful. Overall I can really recommend the school.
