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In Germany, the term “Willkommensklasse” (“welcome class”) is used to describe special classes for newly arrived migrant or refugee students who do not yet have sufficient German language skills. These classes are designed to speed up and ease their integration into the regular school system.
Main purpose
The main aims of a Willkommensklasse are:
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to provide intensive German language instruction
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to prepare the student to join a regular class (Regelklasse) as soon as possible
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to support the cultural and social integration of students coming from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds
Who is the Willkommensklasse for?
Willkommensklassen are intended for:
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children and adolescents who have recently arrived in Germany
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students generally between 6 and 18 years of age (primary and secondary level)
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those whose German is not yet sufficient to directly attend the age-appropriate regular class
Duration of stay in a Willkommensklasse
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usually between 6 months and 2 years
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the student’s progress is reviewed regularly
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the transition to a regular class often happens gradually, for example through partial participation in regular lessons (Inklusionsteilnahme)
What is taught in a Willkommensklasse?
| Subject | Details and focus |
|---|---|
| German | strong emphasis on listening, speaking, reading and writing |
| Mathematics | often taught with simplified language or partly in the student’s mother tongue |
| Cultural / social subjects | introduction to the school system, values, rules, basic rights and duties |
| Artistic and sports activities | promoting integration, interaction, teamwork and social skills |
In many cases, specific programmes such as “Deutsch als Zweitsprache (DaZ)” – German as a second language are used.
Do the names differ between federal states?
Yes. While the concept is similar, the terminology varies between the German federal states:
| Federal state | Term used |
|---|---|
| Berlin | Willkommensklasse |
| Hamburg | Internationale Vorbereitungsklasse |
| Bavaria | Übergangsklasse |
| Baden-Württemberg | VKL (Vorbereitungsklasse) |
| North Rhine-Westphalia | Internationale Klasse |
Is the mother tongue supported?
Some schools offer support in the students’ mother tongues (e.g. Arabic, Turkish) within programmes known as “Herkunftssprachlicher Unterricht” (heritage language instruction). The goal is not to replace German with the mother tongue as the language of schooling, but to make the transition into German smoother and safer.
What happens after the Willkommensklasse?
Once a student has reached approximately B1/B2 level in German, typically:
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they are transferred to a regular class appropriate to their age (Regelklasse)
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they continue to receive additional language support through DaZ lessons
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they participate in all regular school subjects together with other students
Costs
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Attendance is completely free of charge for families.
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It usually covers classes, learning materials and, depending on the municipality and the student’s needs, additional support services such as school social work, school transport or psychological counselling.
Benefits
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gives students a safe and low-pressure start in a new school system
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enables systematic and gradual learning of the German language
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provides targeted educational and social support
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helps to prevent early school failure or exclusion from the education system
The editorial team of the website makes every effort to provide accurate information based on thorough research and multiple sources. However, mistakes may occur or some information may be incomplete or not fully confirmed. Therefore, the contents of this article should be seen as an initial point of reference. For binding and up-to-date information, please always consult the competent authorities or professional advisory services.
