We are applying for family reunification in Germany. My child does not speak or understand English or German yet. Can my child still be admitted to a school after arriving? Are there special language support programs for children who are new to the language?
Don’t worry, children in Germany are allowed to start school even if they don’t speak German at first. Public schools commonly offer introductory German language programs (often called welcome or integration classes) designed specifically for international students. These programs help children learn the language step by step while gradually joining regular classes.
Teachers and school staff are well-trained in supporting non-native speakers and focus not only on language learning, but also on social integration. With structured support, patience, and daily exposure to German, most children adapt quickly and gain confidence within a few months.
Hello @Shohag !
In Germany, education is compulsory, and all children of school age must be enrolled in school soon after arrival, regardless of their language skills. Once your child arrives, you can do school enrollment through the local school authority (Schulamt or Bildungsamt). They will decide which school your child should attend.
In many schools there are special classes for new arrivals. They can be called Willkommensklasse (welcome class), Vorbereitungsklasse (preparatory class) or Übergangsklasse (transition class).
You can read more about it here: https://handbookgermany.de/en/school#faq_1311