German Course Compass: Central coordination office for courses for initial language orientation

The German Course Compass coordination office supports the structures of initial language orientation at municipal level for refugees and immigrants in Schleswig-Holstein.
The initial language orientation offers the EOK.SH (initial orientation courses) and the STAFF.SH courses (starter package for refugees).
The integration course is the primary German course for refugees to acquire language skills up to B1 level. It also provides knowledge about values and life in Germany.
Refugees and migrants can take part in an EOK.SH and STAFF.SH German course if participation in an integration course is not (yet) possible for legal, factual or individual reasons.

The German Course Compass coordination office supports the regional adjustment of course requirements and course offerings. To do this, we use information that we receive from our network work in the districts and independent cities and in exchange with the various players in the integration sector. We also use the form “I am looking for a German course” to register your interest. In the coordination office, we support the information, referral and networking structures relating to the German courses on offer in Schleswig-Holstein.

If you have any questions or need advice or support regarding German courses, the coordination office is the point of contact for all institutions and stakeholders involved in accompanying and supporting refugees and immigrants locally and in placing them in courses.
If you see a need for a German course in your area, please contact us by phone or email.

The German course finder shows the EOK.SH and STAFF.SH German courses on site and online. You can register directly for the German courses. If there is no suitable offer, you can use the “I am looking for a German course” request form. The coordination office also uses the notifications to supplement the offer structure according to demand and, if possible, to enable prompt access to the German course offers.

The German Course Compass project is funded by the Ministry of Social Affairs, Youth, Family, Senior Citizens, Integration and Equality and implemented by the Schleswig-Holstein Adult Education Association (Landesverband der Volkshochschulen in Schleswig-Holstein e.V.) .

Do you have any questions?
Do you need support?

For more information, please contact:

Berit Schlachta
Landesverband der Volkshochschulen
Schleswig-Holsteins e.V.
Koordinierungsstelle Deutschkurs-Kompass

E-Mail: bs@vhs-sh.de
Mobile: 0173 8406435

EOK.SH – Initial orientation courses in Schleswig-Holstein

The project EOK.SH offers initial language orientation courses for refugees and immigrants and is coordinated by the Schleswig-Holstein Adult Education Association.
The courses are primarily open to those seeking protection (residence permit). If places are available, the following interested parties also have access

  • Tolerated persons (Duldung)
  • Persons entitled to protection and their families (residence permit/residence title)
  • Other third-country nationals with legal residence status (residence permit/residence title)
  • EU immigrants

The prerequisite for all persons is that participation in an integration course is not (yet) possible for legal, factual or individual reasons. Persons who are required to attend school are not allowed to take part in the courses.

The courses provide the following content:

  • Relevant topics, such as values and norms of living together, work in Germany, medical care, school and kindergarten, etc.
  • Knowledge of the way of life and etiquette in German society, combined with the respective vocabulary and linguistic expressions
  • Knowledge about local counselling and service offers

An EOK.SH German course comprises

  • 300 lessons with six compulsory elective modules of 50 lessons each
  • A1, A2/B1 exam

Following an EOK, a STAFF advanced course can be attended.

STAFF.SH – Starter package for refugees in Schleswig-Holstein

As part of the STAFF.SH –”Starter package for refugees in Schleswig-Holstein” project , coordinated by the state association of adult education centers in Schleswig-Holstein, initial language orientation courses are held for refugees and immigrants. The courses are funded by the state of Schleswig-Holstein, so participation is free of charge for learners.
Access to the courses is open to

  • People seeking protection (residence permit)
  • Tolerated persons (Duldung)
  • Persons entitled to protection and their families (residence permit/residence title)
  • Other third-country nationals with legal residence status (residence permit/residence title)
  • EU immigrants

The prerequisite for all persons is that participation in an integration course is not (yet) possible for legal, factual or individual reasons. Persons who are required to attend school are not allowed to take part in the courses. Access to a federal EOK would have priority if available.

The courses impart

  • Knowledge of the way of life and manners in the new social, societal and geographical environment
  • Knowledge of local advisory offices and services
  • Linguistic and cultural basics for communicative competence in the German language

STAFF.SH German courses following EOK.SH German courses comprise

  • 300 lessons
  • Compulsory A1, A2/B1 exam

STAFF.SH German courses with literacy training include

  • a basic literacy course with 400 lessons, A1 exam not compulsory
  • an advanced literacy course with 400 lessons with A1/A2 exam