Bochum Education Center
Westring 11-13, 44787 Bochum
The Bochum Education Center (BBZ) is a non-profit association and a state-approved continuing education institution. It organizes language courses for migrants, looks after children and young people and offers them a wide range of projects. In the BBZ, people from different professions work together professionally and voluntarily.
The demand for language courses and language support is currently higher than the BBZ can provide in the short run. We are still accepting registrations. We keep a waiting list for this purpose and pass on address data to other providers of non-commercial language courses if necessary.
The current challenge for BBZ is to find enough classrooms and suitable teachers. The requirements for teachers are very different. During the Corona pandemic, many schools were closed for long periods. Some language teachers have sought other jobs. This complicates the current situation.
Easter vacations
From April 11 to 23, 2022, there will be Easter vacations at schools in North Rhine-Westphalia, including Bochum. Whether the BBZ offers also take place during the school vacations varies and will be decided at short notice.
EU language levels
In the European Union, language levels are named according to classes A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. A1 is the lowest level. C2 corresponds to the native language. B1 is required, with exceptions, to become a German or to obtain a permanent, unlimited license of settlement.
C1 is the required level for university studies in German, but not always mandatory when beginning or continuing studies. For students, there are university advising services for this purpose.
The minimum time required to progress from one level to the next is approximately 100 lessons.. One lesson lasts 45 minutes.
University Students
For students we provide a contact to the universities. These have departments that support refugees.
Adults
Introductory language course for adults
The BBZ is committed to helping refugees from Ukraine. In the short term we offer an introductory language course for people with no previous knowledge of German. To do this, we rely on the support of volunteers.
The offer is scheduled from Monday to Friday between 3 and 5 pm.
The offer should be in place until the end of April or mid-May. The goal is to lead to the language level A1 and to offer an orientation in Germany. The point is to understand how many things are organized in Germany.
MiA language courses for women
MiA means “Migrant Women Strong in Everyday Life”. These courses are aimed at women. Here, too, language acquisition is combined with an orientation to the challenges of everyday life.
MiA language courses usually take place in the mornings while any existing children are at kindergarten or school.
For refugees from Ukraine, BBZ will start four MiA courses starting on March 28th, 2002, when the courses will begin at 8:30 am or 9 am and last until 12:00 pm or 12:30 pm. There will be an afternoon class as well. The courses last about 8 weeks and lead to the language level A1.
During the Easter vacations, the morning courses will be continued at another location (Widumestraße 6, Bochum).
Integration courses
This is the federal government’s most intensive and far-reaching offering for immigrants. It leads up to language level B1, which can take 12 to 18 months. It ends with a language test. This is followed by a course on life in Germany, covering political topics among other things, which also ends with a test. Passing both tests is usually a prerequisite for staying in Germany permanently.
It is a high-quality offer. Admission to participation requires several steps:
1. An application to the federal office for migrants and refugees.
2. After approval, a teacher will assess existing language skills.
3. Only then will a registration for a course take place.
In mid-March, the German government decided that integration courses for refugees from Ukraine should be approved. The processing time for the above steps is several weeks.
The BBZ is currently expanding the amount of courses. In the short term, this is only possible via courses in the afternoons.
A limited number of childcare spaces are available for integration courses.
The BBZ’s goal is to be able to offer all refugees an integration course in cooperation with other providers in Bochum in the medium term.
Children and teenagers
Registration for offers for children and young people is usually from 2 pm on.
Extra time – tutoring, language support and recreational activities
The BBZ offers a variety of programs for children and young people or students. Refugee children from Ukraine should also be able to attend school in Germany. In addition to tutoring in groups of two or alone, the BBZ offers learning support in groups. Due to the Corona pandemic, these offerings are government funded.
Language support for pupils (children and teenagers)
The offers for children and teenagers take place from Monday to Friday from 3 to 6 pm. On Saturday between 10 am adn 4 pm. In addition to homework supervision, there are also recreational activities. A one-time registration of the children is required.
During the Easter break, this six-hour offering for students takes place Monday through Friday from 9 am. to 5 .m. Registration is required.
Leisure activities and excursions
Funded by the German Children and Youth Foundation and the German government, the BBZ offers excursions with activities for children and young people. The dates are listed in the BBZ and on the website. Registration is required for each event.
Childcare
For children under 6, BBZ offers childcare while parents attend a class. The BBZ is currently trying to increase the number of childcare places.
Consulting services
Family and parent counseling, migration and integration counseling
The BBZ helps families with counseling on parenting issues. It advises on educational problems and dealing with schools and authorities. It provides support during visits to authorities and as a language mediator.
Counseling is available Monday through Thursday from 9 am to noon.
Career development counseling
The BBZ helps in the development of one’s professional skills. This also includes advice on the recognition of foreign professional and academic qualifications in order to work in Germany.
Consultation is possible only by appointment and takes place only on Fridays.
