Vocational Language Courses , Date: 2025.04.28, format: Article, area: Integration , Learning German for Work

The vocational language courses (Berufssprachkurse, BSK) are a comprehensive, need-based course programme for integration into the labour market, implemented by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. The BSK build on the integration courses (IK) and prepare people with a refugee or migration background for the language requirements of the workplace.

Types and Content of Courses

The vocational language courses are offered for all occupations – from apprentices to dentists. They are conducted by highly qualified course providers and teachers – either at the provider's premises or directly at the employer's premises. They take place both in person and virtually and are offered in full-time or part-time courses that can be taken alongside work.

There are vocational language courses with certificate examinations and workplace-related courses. Which course is right for you depends on your previous knowledge and your personal situation.

Vocational Language Courses with Certificate Examination

Vocational language courses with a certificate examination (basic courses) form the basic structure of vocational language support. They expand your basic knowledge of professional life and teach you the specifics of the working world in Germany. In the courses, you will learn, for example, useful information about job interviews and employment contracts, and you will learn how to write professional e-mails and letters. The vocational language courses prepare you optimally for working life.

After successful participation, you will receive a recognised certificate at the corresponding level. The certificate you receive is very helpful for your further professional career.

The vocational language courses with certificate examination are offered for five different proficiency levels according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR):

• BSK with target level A2 and
• BSK with target level B1.
• BSK with target level B2,
• BSK with target level C1 and
• BSK with target level C2.

You can read about the detailed learning content and teaching methods in the respective BAMF course concepts.

Workplace-related Vocational Language Courses

In addition to the vocational language courses with certificate examination, the Federal Office offers various special courses for certain target or professional groups. The courses make it easier for you to find a new job or to perform your current job better. They promote subject-specific language and are aimed at:

• people who are in the process of having their academic medical professions and specialist health and nursing professions recognised.
• people who require subject-specific German language skills in the technical or commercial field.
• people who would like to attend a specific workplace-related language course (Job-BSK).

In addition, there are experimental courses (pilot courses) available throughout Germany for:

• people who would like to attend a vocational training-related BSK (Azubi-BSK).
• People who work in the field of early years education or aspire to do so (Frühpädagogik-BSK).
• People with little learning experience who would like to receive practical language support in a job setting (Fachpraxis-BSK).

You can read about the detailed learning content and teaching methods in the respective BAMF course concepts.

The Federal Office is continuously testing and developing its course types. You can find the current range of vocational language courses in the course overview.

Participation Requirements

The BSK programme is designed for immigrants from non-EU countries, EU citizens and Germans with a migration background.

You must meet the following requirements to participate in the vocational language course:

Language Requirements

• You have already completed an integration course or
• you can demonstrate knowledge of German at least at proficiency level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Other Requirements

• You are registered as a jobseeker and/or receive benefits under SGB II (citizen's allowance) or SGB III (unemployment benefit).
• You are looking for a vocational training position or are already in vocational training.
• You are currently going through the recognition process for your professional or vocational qualification.
• You are employed, but your German is not good enough to cope with everyday work.

Participation Costs

Participation in the vocational language course is generally free of charge.

If the taxable annual income of a participant is over €20,000 (or, in the case of joint assessment with a spouse, over €40,000), a cost contribution of €2.56 per teaching unit is to be paid. This corresponds to 50 percent of the cost reimbursement rate. For a course with 400 teaching units, this would mean a total of €1,024 as a personal contribution per participant. The payment of the cost contribution can also be taken over by the employer.

If the examination is passed, a refund of 50 percent of the cost contribution paid can be requested with the application for reimbursement of the contribution to costs in vocational language courses.

Registration

Have we sparked your interest in participating in an vocational language course? If so, you need a certificate of eligibility to attend the course. You can get this either from your local employment agency or from the Federal Office. A distinction must be made between the following groups of people:

• If you are registered as a jobseeker and/or receive benefits under SGB II (citizen's allowance) or SGB III (unemployment benefit), then you should contact either your local employment agency or job centre to obtain a certificate of eligibility.
• If you are employed, in vocational training or in the process of having your professional qualifications recognised, and thus do not receive any benefits, please contact the respective main office of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees to obtain a certificate of eligibility.

In addition to the certificate of eligibility, you will also receive an extract from the current course programme. You can also view the complete, daily updated course programme on the Internet (via KURSNET) at any time. Once you have found a suitable course, you can register locally with the course provider and start with the BSK.

Please contact us for further information:

Background

Vocational language support for people with a migration background is a standard instrument of language support provided by the Federal Government under Section 45a of the Residence Act. It is directly based on the general language integration courses.

Both general and vocational German language support are coordinated and implemented by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. However, the responsibilities are divided between the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community (BMI) and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS). While the BMI is responsible for general language support up to level B1 (integration courses), the BMAS is responsible for funding job-related language courses.