Requirements for Vocational Training (Ausbildung) with B1 German Skills
German skills at the B1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) mean that the trainee is able to handle everyday situations and engage in simple professional conversations. With this language level, most requirements for a dual vocational training (Ausbildung) are met, as it is sufficient to follow classes at the vocational school and communicate within the company. However, in more complex professions or fields, it may be necessary to attend advanced language courses to meet the requirements.
Career Choice with B1 German Skills
With a B1 level, many vocational careers are available, especially in craft, technical, or social fields. Professions involving a lot of customer contact, such as retail or gastronomy, require that trainees can communicate well verbally. In fields with specific technical language, such as medicine or law, higher language skills might be required. Nonetheless, B1 is a solid foundation for entering most career fields.
Vocational School Classes and German Skills
During dual vocational training (Ausbildung), trainees attend vocational school alongside working at the company. Classes at the vocational school are conducted in German and often use technical terms that challenge language comprehension. With a B1 language level, it is possible to follow the classes, although there may be additional challenges in the first few months. Many vocational schools offer support in the form of German language support courses to ease the linguistic entry.
Linguistic Support in the Company
Employers know that not all international trainees have perfect German skills from the start. Many companies therefore offer special language support, either through internal German courses or by financing external language schools. Especially in the first months of vocational training (Ausbildung), such support measures are helpful to further improve the B1 language level and meet professional requirements.
Exams and Language Requirements
During vocational training (Ausbildung), both intermediate and final exams must be passed. The exams require that trainees are able to understand and appropriately answer the exam questions in German. On a B1 level, this is possible in most vocational careers, as the tasks are often practice-oriented and not too theoretical. However, it is advisable to further improve the language level during vocational training (Ausbildung) to be optimally prepared.
Integration and Long-Term Perspectives
Vocational training (Ausbildung) with B1 German skills provides good opportunities to integrate professionally and socially in Germany. Over the course of vocational training (Ausbildung), language comprehension will automatically improve, as the daily use of the German language is promoted both in the company and in school. For a long-term career and further professional perspectives, it is advisable to gradually improve the language level to B2 or higher, as this increases the chances of career advancement and facilitates communication in professional daily life.
Language Courses and Further Education Offers
To enhance the language level during vocational training (Ausbildung), there are numerous offers from language schools and further education centers. The employment agency and various funding programs also offer support in the form of financed German courses. Integration courses or job-related German courses are particularly aimed at improving language specifically for professional daily life. These programs help not only to successfully pass exams but also to establish oneself in the company in the long term.
