How is a naturalization appointment in Bürgerbüro?!

[bobMorane 52]

We applied for the naturalization process a while ago, and a few days ago, they sent us some documents (Loyalitätserklärung, etc.) to read and sign (in their office). The documents are clear as they generally say that we should behave well and be respectful of Germany and what the current version of Germany is built upon. No problem with that part!

 

But, I wonder if the Einburgerung officer is going to ask us any tricky questions that I should be prepared for? Or will he ask us to talk about our understanding of the documents? In that case, I need to memorize some German jargon to use for explaining my attitudes toward concepts such as their specific democratic system, human rights, etc. 

[Fietsrad 385]

I found they were very friendly. Just make sure you are there in time and have all the documents.

[pappnase 2,571]

It's region specific, and somewhat dependent on who you get conducting your application, but I can say that my guy in Bremen was friendly and sympathetic.

The questions he asked were clear and straightforward, and if I wasn't able to answer them he lead me in a different direction until he got an answer he could work with.

The work of deciding if you understand how to live in Germany etc is all taken care of by the Naturalisation test.

If you are able to pass that you should be able to answer any questions in that regard.

Do the practice tests here https://oet.bamf.de/ords/oetut/f?p=514:1:0 and good luck.

 

[bobMorane 52]

2 hours ago, pappnase said:

The work of deciding if you understand how to live in Germany etc is all taken care of by the Naturalisation test.

Are they seriously going to ask me questions from the Naturalisation test content? Yes, I got 32 out of 33 points. But I only practiced it to do a written test, not to have an intellectual discussion over it in German! Geez! That's a nightmare!  

[optimista 5,839]

My naturalisation test in France included a role play situation... which I found really irritating being well out of my comfort zone... I was supposed to imagine I was going to open a business and discuss with an 'Advisor' issues which might arise. I was pretty stumped. I was also asked to blather for 4 interminable minutes on the importance of reading and its contribution to culture. Kid you not. That was not a conversation but a monologue. A 'presentation'. They gave me 2 minutes to prepare. Again, pretty stumped. They ask open ended questions so you can take it any way you like. Fine if you are a natural in gobshite, less so if you tend to precision. I don t think they care that much about the content, but more about your ability to navigate communication and intégration. I found it as much about mental agility as anything else. Didn t enjoy it but passed the test. It was taped and sent to Paris for analysis. Felt sorry for the people who had to listen to it. At one point I facetiously threw in some Alsatian so they would see just how intégrated a Brit can get. 

[pappnase 2,571]

No you misunderstood me, I meant that they won't ask you questions from the naturalisation test because that has already been asked and answered, but that if there was some 'Jargon' type question you would understand it from your prep for the naturalisation test.

Don't stress about it, they are not trying to trip you up, they are for the most part, bored civil servants trying to get through their caseload.

 

[optimista 5,839]

Agree.

[Fietsrad 385]

Depends which Bundesland you are in. The law leaves a lot open to interpretation, some do not require that you spend €140 on a language test.

..

A modification to the law is planned by Ms Faeser, Innenministerin: you would be able to apply after 5 years, people over 67 would not have to take the language test.

[john_b 3,297]

I also had a very straightforward and painless experience, thanks mainly to the competence of the friendly Beamtin who dealt with my case (in Berlin Neukölln). As we conversed entirely in German, she waived the language qualification requirement.

 

All in all, it all went through very quickly and efficiently - hope you have a similar experience.

[HEM 11,068]

Its quite possible that if you grunt "Moin" when you enter the room you will be immediately accepted if you are in Hamburg / SH!

[RedMidge 6,638]

5 hours ago, HEM said:

Its quite possible that if you grunt "Moin" when you enter the room you will be immediately accepted if you are in Hamburg / SH!

Make it Moin, Moin, and you are quids in!

[HEM 11,068]

2 hours ago, RedMidge said:

Make it Moin, Moin, and you are quids in!

 

Nah - that might be considered to be overdoing it!  Sparsamkeit is in fashion nowadays.

[bobMorane 52]

We went there today, and the lady who processed our application was so kind and pleasant. She just asked if we had read all the documents and understood them and had any questions. I also missed the chance to give my perfect elevator pitch, like what we do to land a job at an interview!