Learning German

The designations A1, B2 and so on mean that a person can speak German at a certain level.
All parts of language are important: listening, reading, speaking and writing.
There are 6 levels, from beginner to expert: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2.
Here these 6 steps are well explained. 

Many people who don’t yet speak much German first take an integration course.
This is a German course that is funded by the state.
This means it costs less than other German courses.
Some people don't have to pay for the course at all. 

The course goes from level A1 to B1.
You don't have to start at level A1 if you already speak a little German.
You'll first take an exam at the language school. This is called a placement test.
The school will then decide which course you will start in. 

On this page you can see all language schools in Leipzig that offer integration courses.
There you will find all the information about the course level, course times, address and contact details of the schools.

If you want to take an integration course, you need permission.
This permission is called "admission." You apply to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) for this authorization.
Here is the form. Send the form to BAMF here: 

BAMF 

Otto-Schmerbach-Straße 20 

09117 Chemnitz 

You must complete the first part if you want to take the course.
You must complete the second part, “I apply for exemption from the integration course fee,” if you cannot pay for the course. 

If you cannot pay, you must send proof with the form.
For example, a notice for citizen’s allowance or housing benefit, or the Leipzig Pass.
You also do not have to pay if you work and do not earn more than the following gross: €2,491 (without children); €3,246 (with 1 child); €4,001 (with 2 or more children).
In this case, please send pay slips with the form. 

Here There is a lot of information about the integration course directly from the BAMF.

You can attend a vocational language course starting at level B1, up to B2, C1, or C2.
In the professional language course the focus is more on the German language for work.
This course is government-funded and therefore not so expensive. 

You need permission to attend the course.
If you are unemployed, you can get this from the job center or employment agency.
If you work, ask the BAMF directly for permission. 

If you have permission, you can search for a course on the KURSNET website.
Here The courses can be found in Leipzig.

Some people have to pay for the course, some don't.
It depends on how much money you earn.
If you pay this and successfully complete the course, you can get 501% of the cost back.
Here You will find more information and the necessary forms.

There are also other places in Leipzig where you can learn German.
These are usually informal courses where you don't have to pay any money or you pay very little money.
You can either just drop by or register briefly.
Here all these courses and conversation courses are listed.

The Leipzig City Library has many resources for people who want to learn German.
There is a lot of material in Language room there. You can simply try it out for free.
If you want to borrow items and take them home, you need a library card.
This costs €20 per year. It's free for children and €10 per year for people with the Leipzig Pass.

If you do voluntary work, you also learn some German on the side.
Voluntary work is like unpaid work.
You do it to help other people. For example, young people or the elderly.
But you get to know new people and speak more German.
You don't always have to speak a lot of German to do something like that.
At the Volunteer agency you can find such activities.

Some people do a language tandem.
Two people help each other learn languages.
For example, a person speaks Russian and wants to learn Spanish.
Another person speaks Spanish and wants to learn Russian.
The two people meet and practice both languages.
Here you can search for a language tandem.

There are also many resources online where you can learn German.
For example Duolingo or on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram.
The Goethe Institute and German wave have a lot of content for people who want to learn German.