Integration courses in Kiel (or anywhere)

Hi there!

Me and my Canadian husband are going to move to Kiel in May. He doesn't speak any german. So he will have to follow the co-called integrations courses...

Did anybody ever do an integration course there or elsewhere? Would you maybe have a recommendation where to go (or where not to go)? I know the VHS and AWO offer courses, also the usual language schools (Berlitz, Inlingua). Do you have any thoughts on this?

Thanks!

Luzy

Hi Luzy,

it may be worth popping by the Auslaenderbehoerde once you're here in Kiel. Most offices have brochures about integration courses as well as language courses which are offered at the VHS to read while you're waiting to go in.

The ISFA is also a nice place to go to for a combo language/integration course up to Level B1. Prices range from completely free up to 2,05 EUR/class hour, depending on what exactly you need. Here's their website: http://www.isfa-net.de/ Many courses are sponsored by the BAMF (Bundesamt fuer Migration und Fluechtlinge). I would recommend this before even thinking about sending you to a typical school like Berlitz or Inlingua, mainly due to the prices.

Keep in touch!
Gummibaerchen

Thanks for your answer Gummibärchen! It took me a while to come back to the forum, so I read it only now.

I will check out the ISFA web site right away!

I thought all the integration courses are free, even those offered at language schools??

Can someone recommend a school? I understand the process. I am looking for a good school.

Thanks.
Monica

Topics merged by admin

Yes, I'm looking for a good school, too...

I am doing an integration course at the VHS in Salzgitter. People say a lot of stuff about the VHS but if you have a good teacher and a good group, it's no worse than any other school. The only thing that bothers me about my group is that we have 4 or so guys who are not taking it seriously and don't seem like they really want to be there. There were 16 in my group when I started and there are 20 now because of some late comers.

The VHS works with the arbeitsamt and I don't know who else to get most of the people a free ride. I did not qualify for that but since there was space available they let me sit the course for 1€ per hour.

I am also taking a B2 evening course at the VHS and that's a totally different group, much smaller and much more enthusiastic.

For Monica as well as the Canadian husband of Luzy, it might be worthwhile to visit the school and see if you can sit in on a class.

LeonG, I just saw that you answered here, too!! Thanks! Sitting in on a course is a good idea. Maybe this way he can check out several schools and choose the one where he feels comfortable. It's definitely going to be an adventure for him...

I don't know yet if he will start his courses right away when we arrive in May. Maybe he will wait a bit. But as soon as we have any first hand experiences we will let you know!