How long does a course last? When can I start?

Joining the course is possible at any time, and courses last between 3 and 4 months. How often the course takes place per week and how long classes are each day depends from course to course. \n All participants have 300 teaching units (UE), each lasting 45 minutes, which corresponds to six modules of 50 UE each. The teaching units also include joint excursions. For example, all course participants visit authorities, a library or a market together. These excursions also help you get your bearings in your new environment and put what you have learnt into practice. \n

There is no exam \/ language test at the end of the course. \n

Who can take part? What requirements are there?

A requirement for participation is that you haven’t (yet) been able to take part in an integration course and are not required to go to school. If there are any more free spaces, the following people can also take part: \n \n Beneficiaries of protection and their families, plus other citizens of non-EU countries living legally in Germany \n Immigrants from inside the EU \n \n

How much does it cost to take part in an initial orientatino course?

Taking part in an initial orientation course is free because the courses are financed using funding from the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community (BMI). You only have to pay for the cost of transport to the course location. \n

Where can I register for an initial orientation course?

There are currently initial orientation courses in Bremen and Bremerhaven at Bremer Volkshochschule and Malteser Hilfsdienst gGmbH. \n Contact these providers directly to register. They will also tell you what documents you need. \n You can contact the Migration Counselling Centres if you need help. If you are under 27, you can also contact the Youth Migration Service near you. \n

What is the centre for initial orientation courses in the State of Bremen?

As of July 2023, the State of Bremen now also has a centre to coordinate initial orientation courses . The centre is a kind of connection between the federal office and course providers. The centre is responsible for selecting, coordinating, networking, and high-level publicity work, plus specialist advice, training and administration of course providers in the respective federal state, and project administration and coordination with the BAMF. The centre is in the trusteeship of DRK KV Bremen e.V. and is domiciled at the Zentrum für Schule und Beruf (zsb). \n For further questions, please contact the centre in Bremen : \n Ms Victoria Hamborg\nDötlinger Str. 2–4, 28197 Bremen\nPhone: +49 176 19266335\nEmail: victoria.hamborg@drk-bremen.de \nOffice hours: Wed 14:00–17:00, Thu 09:00–12:00 \n

Where can I find more information about the initial orientation courses?

\n General information on initial orientation courses from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) \n BAMF – Federal Office for Migration and Refugees – Library – Flyer: Initial orientation courses \n \n

First orientation courses

Getting started in a foreign country is never easy. A new language and new customs can be a major challenge at first.

Are you wondering how life works in Germany?

Then an initial orientation course is right for you!

In an initial orientation course, you’ll receive important tips and information about life in Germany and you’ll also learn your first useful words and phrases in German. Topics dealt with in the initial orientation courses are designed to make your early days and your day-to-day life in Germany easier.

Logo, Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community

Joining the course is possible at any time, and courses last between 3 and 4 months. How often the course takes place per week and how long classes are each day depends from course to course.

All participants have 300 teaching units (UE), each lasting 45 minutes, which corresponds to six modules of 50 UE each. The teaching units also include joint excursions. For example, all course participants visit authorities, a library or a market together. These excursions also help you get your bearings in your new environment and put what you have learnt into practice.
A requirement for participation is that you haven’t (yet) been able to take part in an integration course and are not required to go to school. If there are any more free spaces, the following people can also take part:
- Beneficiaries of protection and their families, plus other citizens of non-EU countries living legally in Germany
- Immigrants from inside the EU
As of July 2023, the State of Bremen now also has a centre to coordinate initial orientation courses. The centre is a kind of connection between the federal office and course providers. The centre is responsible for selecting, coordinating, networking, and high-level publicity work, plus specialist advice, training and administration of course providers in the respective federal state, and project administration and coordination with the BAMF. The centre is in the trusteeship of DRK KV Bremen e.V. and is domiciled at the Zentrum für Schule und Beruf (zsb).

For further questions, please contact the centre in Bremen:

Ms Victoria Hamborg
Dötlinger Str. 2–4, 28197 Bremen
Phone: +49 176 19266335
Email: [email protected]
Office hours: Wed 14:00–17:00, Thu 09:00–12:00
- General information on initial orientation courses from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF)
- BAMF – Federal Office for Migration and Refugees – Library – Flyer: Initial orientation courses