Learning German

As soon as you are registered at the Jobcenter, you can take part in an integration course free of charge. In an integration course, you learn German. In the end, there is an examination. You can find out more about integration courses and how to register in the "Integration Course" chapter.

Important: If you have small children who are not yet going to daycare, you can also attend a so-called "Integration course with children: building blocks for the future" (“Integrationskurs mit Kind: Bausteine für die Zukunft”). During your lessons, your child will be looked after by childminders. You can find more information about these programmes in Ukrainian at integrationskurs-mit-kind.fruehe-chancen.de. You can also learn more over the phone or e-mail: you can reach the employees under the number 030-390 634 730 and the e-mail address service@integrations-kibe.de. They are available on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. and on Thursday between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. The employees speak German and English.

You can also take part in a so-called “initial orientation course” (“Erstorientierungskurs”) if you are not yet able to take part in an integration course. In an initial orientation course, you will learn your first words and sentences in German and can obtain essential information about life in Germany. You will, For example, learn how to call an ambulance in an emergency or familiarize yourself with customs and traditions in Germany. You will also visit some venues and offices such as the Immigration Office or a library during the course to see how they work.

You can learn more about the initial orientation course on the BAMF website in Ukrainian, Russian and English or check out our “Initial Orientation Course” chapter. 

If you already know (some) German, you may also be able to take part in a professional language course. You can learn more in our chapter “German for work” in English.

If you are currently living or want to live in the state of Thuringia, you can also call the Thuringian Adult Education Association (Thüringer Volkshochschulverband) directly for advice on your language course options in Thuringia. The hotline staff speak Ukrainian and Russian.

There are also many other ways to start learning German, regardless of your residence status or whether you can register at the Jobcenter. You can find out more in our chapter "Learning German" and in section “Can I learn German online?”. 

Currently, there are many online options available for people from Ukraine.

In the Goethe Institute’s "Deutsch für dich" community, you will find free exercises for learning German. To take advantage of this offer, you must register on the website. The exercises are aimed at children, young people and adults and are tailored to different language levels.

IBB also offers online German courses for refugees from Ukraine. The costs of the course are covered by the Employment Agency or Jobcenter.

Refugees from Ukraine can currently use the language learning apps Babbel and Jicki free of charge. To do so, you need to download the app, select the desired language, and register.

The website sprachlernen24.de also offers a free German course for beginners.

You can also learn German on 50languages.com or with the free 50LANGUAGES LLC app. On the website, you will find 100 lessons on different topics. Here you will learn words, everyday idioms and grammar. Previous knowledge is not necessary.

The British distance learning university The Open University also offers free German courses for beginners. In order to take part in the courses, you must register. You can also find free English courses on the Open University website.

Adults, children, and young people can learn German with the free German learning app Hallo.

You can also learn German with the Mondly App. You can use the app for free if you choose Ukrainian as your native language.

Furthermore, you can use the vhs digital learning portal free of charge to learn German. To do this, you need to register and select the appropriate course.

On tutorspace.de, you can look for private online German teachers in Ukrainian, German, or English. You can choose whether the lessons should take place online or on-site. To do so, you must choose either „Deutschlehrer online“ or „Deutschlehrer vor Ort“ in the search bar. Lessons are free.

You can find the most important German sentences and phrases common in everyday life on Wegbegleiter-ukraine.de.

The video language course "Nico's Weg" helps you learn German. You watch Nico when he arrives in Germany and learns important vocabulary that you need in everyday life with him.

Deutschtrainer gives you the opportunity to learn German. You can choose different topics (e.g. shopping, holiday or work) and then do different exercises.

On 100fachbegriffe you can find explanations for technical terms from 10 different professional fields. Up to 100 terms are selected and introduced from each occupational field (e.g. gastronomy, care, construction). After you have learned the terms, you can also do various exercises and test your knowledge. "100-Fachbegriffe" is suitable for anyone planning to start vocational training, an internship or a career.

At learngerman.dw you can take a test to determine your language level. You can then do various exercises and learn new vocabulary according to your language level.

The "Mein Vokabular" app is suitable for anyone who wants to do vocational training and learn a trade. It helps you learn terms and words that will be useful for your training and later career.

You can find a free e-book at buchstaben.com. It offers beginners a first introduction to the German language.

At tueftelakademie.de, you will find a free pictorial dictionary in Ukrainian and German.

At kreuzwortraetsellexikon.de, you will find a vocabulary puzzle booklet, with which you can learn the most important German words and have fun at the same time.

There are also many other ways to start learning German. You can find out more in our chapter "Learning German".

The International Confederation (IB) has published a mini phrasebook. In this dictionary you will find important sentences and idioms.

At klett-sprachen.pim.red you will find a first-aid vocabulary to download. This small dictionary is arranged by subject. In the dictionary, you will find translations from German into Ukrainian and into Russian. But you can also find the translations from English into Russian.

At fluechtlingshilfe-muenchen.de, you will find a German-Ukrainian learning and exercise booklet. The exercise book has many pictures and can make learning somewhat easier. The pictures are labelled in German and Ukrainian. With the help of this booklet, you can learn important sentences used in everyday life, such as words and phrases on the subject of time, days of the week, shopping and clothing. The German grammar is also explained. You can find additional explanatory videos for this learning and exercise booklet on YouTube. 

On the website deutsch-lernen.zum.de, you will find many more free dictionaries and visual dictionaries to download.

You can also find a free German-Ukrainian dictionary at kreuzwortraetsel.de. The dictionary consists of 6 index cards. Each card is dedicated to a specific topic, such as housing, shopping and dealing with authorities. With the help of this dictionary, you will learn not only single words, but also idiomatic expressions. The pronunciations are also included.