Case Studies

The project meets the need of non-literate migrans for effective combination of language and on-the-job training.
Migrants coming to Germany with deficiencies in reading and writing skills are ever more challenged to learn German as a second language than other members of this group. This particular migrant group faces great changes in relation to cultural environment adaptation as to building an economical basis for a self-determined livelihood in their target country.

These migrants are the target group for the programme “Occupational language training for non-reading individuals with migrant background” of starthaus Ltd. in Offenbach. The goals of the programmes are in line with the curricula of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees as to make this group literate, to impart basic knowledge of German and to facilitate proper earnings. Reading and writing abilities, acquisition of basic German language skills and integration into the labour market are being combined in this course in a model way. In so doing, job and life opportunities are being opened to a multiply challenged group of people.

The provision of high quality materials produced specifically for this group of migrants. The teaching was largely carried out by teachers who themselves have a migrant background, and support was given in courses by participants in previous courses. In this way the courses were able to address the real needs of those taking part and to give them security and identification with the course providers.

The courses were successful and the materials are usable in other German-speaking contexts. They are still being provided by startHAUS, the winner of the award.
The assessemnt of the results is based on questinnaires among participants and employers who attested the real improvement achieved.

To get recognition for an innovative approach to language training for migrants.

Continuation of the courses and further development of the materials.

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The project is consistent with European policies directed towards the social and professional integration of migrant workers.

It fitted the annual focus on language learning for the workplace.

The National Agency considered that the project gave an "exemplary approach to enabling migrants to find their way into a new society, for literacy, in a way which secured their integration into the world of work."