Here you will find an overview of materials that are intended to support immigrants in their socio-political orientation in Germany & which also contribute to integration. The overview will be continuously expanded. So far, we have focused mainly on textbooks, but we also plan to add welcome brochures to our material collection in the near future.

60 Stunden Deutschland (2013) 

Authors: Angela Killimann, Ondrej Kotas, Johanna Skrodzki et al.                                   Publisher: Klett Verlag Stuttgart
Note: This textbook has since been replaced on the market by "100 Stunden Deutschland" and can therefore no longer be found in the Klett range.

Short description:                                                                                                                              60 Stunden Deutschland is a textbook that was used in the orientation courses until spring 2017. It contains the main topics "Politics in Democracy", "History and Responsibility" and "People and Society". Within these three modules, the users are to expand their knowledge of Germany and gain orientation knowledge for their everyday life in this country. According to Klett, the textbook is suitable for learners who have successfully completed language level A2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference. Since the terms used in the textbook are quite complex and technical (and the glossary is only of limited help in understanding them), many aspects do not seem comprehensible. According to our assessment, the material is primarily suitable for those who already have at least B1-level language skills. Overall, the textbook presents itself as text-intensive, with little scope for a varied use of methods and social forms. In this respect, it aims much more at teacher-centred classroom discussion and offers tasks to be worked on mainly in individual work.

100 Stunden Deutschland (2017)

Authors: Ellen Butler, Ondrej Kotas, Martin Sturm et al.                                                    Publisher: Klett Verlag Stuttgart                                                                                                     Note: 100 Stunden Deutschland is the further development of 60 Stunden Deutschland and is approved by the BAMF for use in orientation courses.

Short description:                                                                                                                               On a total of 150 pages, the main topics "Politics in Democracy", "History and Responsibility" and "People and Society" are dealt with. The last topic in particular has been expanded in terms of content and methodology compared to the previous version, 60 Stunden Deutschland. In this regard, some essential social questions are now focused on: "How do conflicts arise and how can they be solved?", "How long should adults learn?", "What is the importance of the family?" or "How do most people live in Germany?". These questions and all the related exercises and subtopics enrich the previous version with many discussion and presentation occasions, whereby opinions and experiences of the participants are now often in demand. Furthermore, especially the German state organisation and the aspect of "political participation" are accompanied by many open questions, with descriptive graphics being represented. In addition, the work aims at conveying connectable and useful knowledge that connects to the experiences and needs of the learners. The work can be used at a language level of A2, but it seems better to us to have language competences at B1 level.

Leben in Deutschland (2016)

Authors:  Robert Feil, Cordelia Mersi and Ursula Becky                                                       Published by: Landeszentrale für politische Bildung Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart         

Short description:                                                                                                                           This textbook is a result of the so-called "i-Punkt Integrations-Projekt" of the Landeszentrale für politische Bildung Baden-Württemberg (LpB). This material offers initial preparation for the orientation course and is a good guide and supporter for the first months in Germany. Leben in Deutschland promotes language acquisition. The material has therefore been developed primarily for migrants who hardly know the German language, but who nevertheless want to generate useful knowledge and skills about living together in Germany from the very beginning. The main focus is on social and life-relevant aspects for everyday life in Germany. In a very descriptive and easy-to-understand way, a total of ten sub-modules deal with topics such as the social system, education and work, family and upbringing, tolerance and living together, as well as basic rights and the value of democracy in Germany. Mention is also made of the question of how to handle money properly or how to deal with disputes. In addition to these attribution-based aspects, the design of the textbooks also seems somewhat childish in places. On the other hand, it seems extremely useful that each module contains numerous questions that are worked on interactively in a participant-oriented way using various methods. Since the book contains only a few extensive texts, there is enough space for the users' own thoughts and approaches, which they can openly present and contribute.

Orientierungskurs (2016)

Authors: Joachim Schote                                                                                                          Publisher: Cornelson Verlag                                                                                                            Note: In the meantime, there is an updated version of Orientierungskurs from 2021.

Short description:                                                                                                                             This work has also been approved by the BAMF for orientation courses. It primarily aims to convey basic knowledge about politics, history and society in Germany. The textbook is suitable for learners who have completed language levels A2 and B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference. The content of the material also focuses on the three modules "Politics in Democracy", "History and Responsibility" and "People and Society". The focus is primarily on the rights and duties of every person living in a democracy as well as on Germany's various social security systems. Furthermore, learners learn about opportunities for involvement in political parties, interest groups and organisations. In comparison to other orientation course textbooks, the European Union, its origins and development up to the present day are dealt with specifically. Very vividly and with playful elements, but still relatively text-intensive and fact-based, potential orientation course participants get to know each other better and are encouraged several times to discuss social issues together. Such opportunities for discussion can be found above all in the areas of living together and family, equality as well as religion and education.

Zur Orientierung (2016)

Authors: Ulrike Gaidosch, Christine Müller                                                                          Editorship / Publisher: Hueber Verlag, 7th edition

Short description:                                                                                                                            This teaching material has also been approved by the BAMF for 100-hour orientation courses and builds on the competences of language level A2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference. Three essential core topics are 1) democracy in Germany, 2) history and 3) lifestyles and society. The last module focuses on the individuality of diverse lifestyles. Freedom, respect and tolerance are emphasised as central principles of living together in Germany. The focus is also on knowledge about the rights and duties of every person living in Germany. The tasks of the textbook, which are suitable for adults, primarily promote joint exchange as well as personal reflection and positioning. Although previous experiences are included, the interests and needs of the learners are not necessarily the focus. We find it positive that on almost every page there are text-related photos as well as summarising knowledge boxes, which provide clarity and vividness. The structure of the individual chapters is always the same: At the beginning there is a quiz in which previous knowledge is tested/questioned, followed by the information section with several sub-chapters on the respective topic and the conclusion is a knowledge overview.

Integration Spezial B1: Aussichten (2012)

Authors: Susanne Anane, Nadja Fügert, Iris Geiser                                                             Editorship / Publisher: Klett Verlag Stuttgart                                                                               Note: The material is part of the course series "Aussichten" and is based on the completed language level A2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference. It is a supplementary material to the (parallel) language lessons. Since it looks at some socially relevant topics intensively and in direct reference to or in connection with the language lessons, this material can be regarded as very good preparation for the orientation course, since the contents of this course are taken up.

Short description:                                                                                                                               The work offers orientation assistance for everyday professional and public life in particular. A total of ten modules focus on the topics of child care and education, participation in political life, the insurance system and bureaucratic institutions as well as respect, tolerance and cultural diversity, gender roles, the media and the acquisition of German citizenship. Integration Spezial tries in particular to offer assistance in cases of discrimination or in the recognition of degrees and certificates and also creates opportunities for reflection on personal attitudes and ideas of order. Thus, the booklet provides an opportunity to address the needs of immigrant people and to connect to them with targeted information. Likewise, the topic of "integration" is also taken up and discussed controversially in the material. Topics that can and should be dealt with in greater depth after a module are listed in an extra box based on guiding questions. In addition, there are also research and reflection questions that encourage further engagement with the topic. The explanations are supported by pictures and comic-like drawings, which seem rather unsuitable for a target group of 16 years and older, but which nevertheless have a vivid and loosening effect.

So einfach funktioniert Deutschland Teil 1 und 2 (2016)

Authors: Andrea Behnke, Günther Hempel                                                                        Editorship / Publisher: Bildungsverlag EINS (Westermann Verlag), 1st edition                  Note: The work consists of a total of 4 parts, Part 1: Politik, Gesellschaft und Wertvorstellungen, Part 2: Leben und Alltag, Part 3: Ausbildung und Beruf, Part 4: IHK Prüfung einfach erklärt: Tipps zur Vorbereitung auf die Abschlussprüfung der IHK. Duale Ausbildung. Only the first two parts were analysed here.

Short description Part 1 and 2:                                                                                                    The two working materials are suitable for use in international remedial and preparatory classes. It is primarily aimed at a target group from the age of approx. 16 who have a command of the German language at A2 or B1 level, have been living in Germany for a few months and would like to orientate themselves professionally or are already in a training relationship. On each page of the materials there are helpful vocabulary boxes in Arabic, otherwise the textbook series is written in German. There are also boxes with special hints and tips for organising an independent daily life. The two works are modularised and clearly presented, even if they are quite text-intensive. The works do not contain any tasks, which makes it difficult to actively involve the users in teaching-learning processes or to initiate changes of reflection and perspective. Therefore, the textbook is more comparable to an information brochure for reference. Among others, the following topics are presented: Culture and leisure, life and housing, transport and infrastructure, rights and duties, equality, order and cleanliness, health and education system, offices and authorities, education and work. The topics are largely tailored to the needs of arrivals.