10.01.2025
Ten years of municipal language courses in Bremen
In 2025, the Senator for Labor, Social Affairs, Youth and Integration will again provide €445,000 in funding for language courses in the city of Bremen for immigrants who are not eligible to participate in integration courses offered by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. These municipal courses are open to all residents of Bremen, regardless of their residency status, their prospects of remaining in the country, or their origin.
Language acquisition supports participation
Since the launch of the municipal language programs ten years ago, around 11,500 people in the asylum process or with tolerated stay status have benefited from the language courses. The city has spent a total of around five million euros on the courses since their introduction.
Dr. Claudia Schilling, Senator for Labor, Social Affairs, Youth and Integration: “Our language support program has been an important addition to the federal government's offerings for ten years now. We want to support as many people as possible living in Bremen in acquiring the German language and thus also in participating in social life. This must not depend on residency status.”
Applications for carriers are possible until January 31st
Due to the changes to the integration course system decided in November 2024, certain course formats offered by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) will likely be discontinued or only partially continued. This affects people who have not yet reached B1 level German, as well as women, parents, and young people under 27. These groups will receive special attention in municipal language courses.
Focus also on courses with childcare
“To address the current needs of immigrants in Bremen, this year priority funding will be given to courses with innovative approaches for particularly vulnerable target groups, as well as courses with childcare,” said Bremen’s Commissioner for Migration and Integration, Nadezhda Milanova. “Furthermore, courses should be offered, where possible, in districts where there are currently no or only limited language learning opportunities.”
The Senator for Labor, Social Affairs, Youth and Integration funds courses and course modules to achieve language levels A1 to B1, as well as special course formats for selected target groups. The courses and course modules generally run for six to nine months and comprise 300 teaching units, and are held as locally as possible, near the participants' places of residence.
Organizations can submit applications until January 31st
Organizations wishing to offer courses can find information about the procedures and download the application forms on the website of the Senator for Labor, Social Affairs, Youth and Integration: www.soziales.bremen.de
Important: Complete applications must be submitted by January 31, 2025.
Source: Press Office of the Senate of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, The Senator for Labour, Social Affairs, Youth and Integration, Press Release , 06.01.2025