Integration

Integration - diversity as an opportunity

Integration at school means that children and young people with a migrant background are actively involved in school life - linguistically, culturally and socially. The aim is to create equal educational opportunities for all.

What the Goal is?

All pupils should be able to learn successfully and participate in school life regardless of their origin, language or residence status. Integration promotes belonging, equal opportunities and social cohesion.

How the works?

  • Language support: targeted offers before and during school time - e.g. through preparatory courses, language support groups or DaZ lessons (German as a second language)

  • International support classes: for newly immigrated children and young people as an introduction to the German school system

  • Intercultural education: topics such as diversity, tolerance and democracy are addressed in lessons

  • Social integration: through joint projects, working groups, school trips and sponsorships

  • Individual support: tailored to the children's learning level and life situation

Accompanying transitions

The transition from the preparatory class to regular classes or from school to vocational training is accompanied individually - with counseling, language assessments and close cooperation between school, parents and specialist agencies.

Parental work as the key

Immigrant parents are actively involved - through multilingual information, parents' cafés, interpreting services and intercultural parenting. Schools create spaces for encounters and exchanges.

Example from practice

A child who has only recently arrived in Germany initially attends an international class. At the same time, it receives language support and takes part in sports and music activities. After a year, they gradually switch to regular classes.

Who supports?

  • Teachers with intercultural competence

  • School social work and language support staff

  • Municipal Integration Center Bochum

  • Youth welfare, volunteers and migrant self-organizations

Integration is part of the educational mandate in NRW. Schools are obliged to take individual requirements into account and provide targeted support (§ 1 SchulG NRW).

Social perspective

School is a central place for integration. This is where children not only learn to read and write, but also to respect, participate and live together in diversity. Integration succeeds when everyone is involved - school, family and society.

Learn more

The Municipal Integration Center Bochum, the Education Authority for the City of Bochum and the Arnsberg District Government offer information, materials and advice on all aspects of school integration.