Language as a key to integration: Schleswig-Holstein is expanding language courses

Language as a key to integration: Schleswig-Holstein is expanding language courses

On October 23, 2025, State Secretary Susanne Henckel visited the Central Education and Advice Center for Migrants Schleswig-Holstein (ZBBS) in Eutin. During her visit, she emphasized the immense importance of a good knowledge of German for the integration of refugees into society and the job market. “Language is the key to participation,” emphasized Henckel, referring to the current range of language training that is being expanded nationwide due to high demand.

In the period from January to the beginning of October 2023, 536 refugees have already taken part in labor market-related language training. What is particularly noteworthy is that around 65% of these participants come from war or crisis areas, such as Ukraine, Afghanistan or Syria. In addition, women make up over 60% of the participants. This shows that women in particular depend on language support in order to establish themselves in professional life.

Closing the gap

But there are still challenges. Henckel addressed the existing gap between regular language courses and targeted offers for everyday working life. The existing network offers low-threshold, flexible language training aimed at making contacts and promoting security in the working environment. “We have to introduce language training as a regular offer and include it in the federal funding program,” says Henckel.

The funding of around six million euros, which will be provided from the state work program from 2025 to 2027, is intended to help provide the entire state of Schleswig-Holstein with increased teaching capacity. Given the high demand, this measure is more than necessary.

Labor market access and integration

The European Day of Languages ​​made it clear that language training such as “Everyone on board! Perspective on the job market for refugees” plays an important role in integration. Learning the German language is central to making it easier for refugees to access society and career prospects, as frsh.de reports.

But less funding can lead to problems: in 2025, a 45% decline in support is expected compared to the previous year, which could further exacerbate the existing cuts in nationwide language course offerings. These cuts have long-term negative consequences for the integration and labor market access of refugees.

The improvement in training conditions was also particularly criticized: among other things, opportunities to repeat integration courses are being eliminated and courses for young people, parents and women are being eliminated. The labor market language training from “All on Board!” has been available since 2019 and has been available throughout Schleswig-Holstein since 2023.

This program ensures that labor market-related content is offered in small groups - both online and in person - free of charge to all refugees. In the 2022-2024 funding period, almost 1,000 refugees took part in the program, 65% of whom were women. In the first six months of the current year, over 450 people took part in the language training, 62% of whom are women.

In summary, it can be said that a good hand in language development is both crucial for individual destinies and essential for society as a whole. It is clear that there is still a lot of work ahead of us to effectively support integration and overcome existing challenges. Especially in times when the political and social landscape is in flux, it remains essential to continuously optimize resources and offers for refugees.