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What is the VHS?
The VHS (Volkshochschule) is a public, non-profit adult education centre present in almost every German city.
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It offers courses in languages, culture, life skills, integration and many other topics.
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Its fees are usually very low compared to private institutes.
Does the VHS accept refugee children?
Yes, but with differences depending on age:
Teenagers (around 14 years and older):
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They can attend courses such as “Deutsch als Zweitsprache für Jugendliche” (German as a second language for teenagers).
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These courses are often organised in cooperation with schools or offered as independent VHS programmes.
Younger children (approx. 6–13 years):
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Only in specific cases, for example:
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if they are not yet enrolled in school (e.g. during transition or waiting periods),
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or within locally funded community projects.
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The VHS often works together with municipalities and child/youth services (e.g. Jugendhilfe) to provide preparatory language support programmes (Sprachförderung) for children.
What kind of language support is offered?
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Intensive language courses (Intensivkurse) or evening classes.
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Interactive language activities: theatre, dialogue practice, role-playing.
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Holiday language workshops: Ferienkurse mit Sprachangebot.
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In some places: small-group tutoring funded by local authorities.
Are the courses free of charge?
Many courses specifically aimed at young refugees are fully funded by:
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the Jugendamt (youth welfare office),
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organisations within the Jugendmigrationsdienst (youth migration service),
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government programmes such as “Integration durch Bildung” (“integration through education”).
Some municipalities also finance free or low-cost programmes in cooperation with the VHS for low-income refugee families.
How can you register?
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By visiting the nearest VHS centre in your city or via the official website:
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By contacting the local Jugendmigrationsdienst (JMD), which often coordinates with the VHS to place young refugees in suitable language courses.
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Through charities and welfare organisations such as Caritas, Diakonie or AWO, which can help with information and registration.
Important note
The support provided by the VHS is supplementary to the German lessons offered at school or in “Willkommensklassen” (welcome classes). It is not a replacement.
However, it plays an important role in speeding up integration, improving speaking skills and building children’s confidence.
The website’s editorial and writing team strives to provide accurate information based on thorough research and multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors may occur or some information may be incomplete or not fully verified. Therefore, the information in these articles should be regarded as an initial reference only; for binding and confirmed information, please always consult the relevant authorities.
