Implementing linguistic integration measures
In the area of linguistic integration the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees – in conjunction with other stakeholders – is trialling recommendations to support skills in German as the language of instruction in schools and in the transition from school to training.
Supplementary German lessons at Hauptschulen
In conjunction with partners in the Federal Länder of Lower Saxony, Bavaria and Berlin, the BAMF has been implementing a pilot project in which pupils with an immigrant background attending Hauptschule (lowest stream of secondary education) receive supplementary support in German. Together with experts from academia, the teaching profession and administration, the BAMF has developed a teaching programme consisting of additional German-language support for pupils who are learning through the medium of German. The aim is to make up for any lack of German-language skills that prevent pupils from gaining a good school-leaving certificate. The focus is on German as the language through which education is provided.
The knowledge gained from the additional classes should help the young people to follow their lessons and to participate actively in class, both verbally and in writing. The project has prepared modules for supplementary German lessons from years 5 to 9. The participating Länder each began implementing the scheme in 2009, at several different locations in each case. The lessons can be supplemented by measures devised by the Länder, such as working with parents, or intensive counselling and assistance for young people as they move from school to training. The pilot project, which runs until 2011, will be academically evaluated. It highlights how the Federal Government and the Länder can pool resources without giving up their respective areas of responsibility.
Training-related language training
The Department of German as a foreign and second language at the University of Jena has developed an online programme in the context of the "Language training for school and work" project, focusing on school pupils' transition from school to the world of work and apprenticeships. The department has developed self-study and teaching materials for various areas of work and made these available as downloads. They are intended to help young people with an immigrant background to master the linguistic requirements of a vocational training course. In individual modules, training-related German skills can be further developed using specific examples – such as keeping a report portfolio. These materials can be used to help self-study or used directly in lessons. In addition to online modules with interactive exercises and animations, master copies of the training materials and internet resources are also available to create handouts. The development of the online materials has been supported by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees as part of the implementation of the recommendations made by the nationwide integration programme.
Qualification modules for systematic language support
The University of Hamburg, building on the results from the pilot programme "Supporting children and young people with an immigrant background", has developed multi-media training modules for apprenticeship training as part of the pilot project "FörMig online - Systematic language support: a training module for teachers of all subjects at secondary level I". The materials tackle systematic language support in particular and dealing with linguistically heterogeneous groups of learners. The materials can be used flexibly in combination with in-class teaching programmes and self-study. The project has been supported by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees as a pilot project within the nationwide integration programme.
