German Language

GERMAN LANGUAGE LEARNING PROGRAM  

        Via a collaboration between Talent Search Foundation (a Charity) and Germany Relocation Expert (a company). 

German language background  

German language (German Deutsch) is the official language of both Germany and Austria, and one of the official languages of Switzerland. German belongs to the West Germanic group of the Indo-European language family, along with English, Frisian, and Dutch (Netherlandic, Flemish). 

Why learn German?  

• Whatever plans you may have for the future, knowledge of German will increase your options. When you learn German you acquire a range of skills which can improve the quality of both your work and private life. 
• The global career: Knowledge of German increases your job opportunities within The Federal Republic of Germany, Austria, Switzerland and other European countries where German language is highly used. 
• Opportunities to study/work in Germany: Germany awards a generous number of scholarships and other support to study in Germany. Working holiday visas are available for young people from a range of countries, and special visas are offered to skilled workers and professionals. 
• Work/Employment opportunities in Germany:  Being the largest economy in Europe, Germany has a labour force averaging 45.5 million, including 3.5 million foreign employees, and with nearly two million job vacancies waiting to be filled, then no doubts Germany is the largest job market in Europe and one that is among the most open to foreign job seekers.  
• Growing Talents: Germany has undoubtedly made a name for herself in the world of sports! Germany/Germans seem to excel in every sport they endeavour. Who can forget the legendary trademark “Football Made in Germany?” If you endeavour to grow your talent…in any sport, then learning and speaking German language should be your priority. 

• To sustain the growth of the German economy the country needs foreign specialists of certain professions.  
• Due to ageing of the population and retirement of the “baby boomer” generation Germany is particularly hiring thousands of healthcare specialists and other skilled personnel from foreign countries.  
• For foreigners with specific in-demand qualifications finding a well-paid job in Germany is now more real than ever. 
• Economy: Germany is the largest economy in Europe and home to some of the most iconic international brands/corporations such as Volkswagen, Allianz, Birkenstock, Mercedes-Benz, Siemens and stacks of other brands that are recognized globally. Having German language skills on your CV can help your career in so many ways, especially in securing a job with German-oriented organizations. 
• German-oriented foreign organizations: Knowledge of German language also increases your job opportunities in German-oriented foreign organizations, including in your own country and abroad. Proficiency in German helps you to function productively for an employer with global business connections. 

• Exchange programs: There are agreements for student exchange between Germany and many countries of the world. 
• Communication: Developments in media, information and communication technology require multilingual communicators. The German Media Industry has registered continued phenomenal growth in recent years both at Home in Germany and abroad. This growth is causing increased demand for journalists and other media personnel who can write and/or report in German language for the ever-growing German media viewers. It’s also worth noting that a wide range of important websites are in German and worldwide Germany is ranked number 5 in terms of annual publication of new books and other publications. 
• Tourism and hospitality industry: Tourists from German-speaking countries travel wide and far, and are the world’s biggest spenders when on holiday. They appreciate to be looked after by German-speaking staff and tour guides. 
• Travel: Make the most of your travels not only in German-speaking countries, but in many other European countries where German is widely spoken, especially in Eastern Europe. 
• Cultural understanding: Learning German provides you with insight into the way of life, and the hopes and dreams of people in German speaking countries, broadening your horizon. 

• Science and Research: German is the second most commonly used scientific language. Germany is the third largest contributor to research and development and offers research fellowships to scientists from abroad.  
• Enjoyment of literature, music, art and philosophy: German is the language of Goethe, Kafka, Mozart, Bach and Beethoven. Indulge in reading and/or listening to their works in their original language. 

What does the program do?  

The program helps interested applicants to identify an appropriate German learning centre, register for various levels of German language learning/training, prepare and pass German language proficiency tests. Where necessary and applicable the program will recommend successful German language learners to program partners for further processing to pursue their talents in education, work opportunities, sports, extracurricular activities, arts and science. The program also encourages German language learners to be creative and innovative, especially in discovering avenues where their knowledge of German language can provide them with added advantages.  

Current opportunities in Germany/Europe for German Language Speakers:  

Health care workers and other professionals 

Are you a qualified healthcare professional, information technology professional, or an individual with a school leaving certificate interested in studying or working in Germany? Look no further than Germany Relocation Expert & Talent Search Foundation! All you need to do is learn and speak German. Working closely with our partners in this program, we offer language competency training to help you learn German and build your job/vocational training portfolio. Our team will connect you with job, vocational, or educational contract offers, and provide support with visa applications and other relocation requirements. To learn more about work and study opportunities in Germany, please visit our program partner’s link https://germanyrelocationexpert.de/# . 

• German language proficiency levels 

German language proficiency levels are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. To set a standard for language fluency, the Council of Europe developed the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Known as CEFR, this six-tiered system describes levels of language ability from “Basic” to “Proficient.” Learners are evaluated in the four areas of language use: listening, reading, speaking, and writing. The proficiency testing levels are as follows; 

A1 (Lower Beginner) 

At the A1 level, you should be able to understand simple German sentences and recognize basic words that describe yourself and the world around you. You can use familiar greetings and introduce yourself. You can also write simply, for example, filling out forms. You can understand fundamental German vocabulary in slow speech. 

A2 (Upper Beginner) 

You can relate information about your job, your family, and your basic needs at the A2 level. You can understand practical materials like train schedules. You can also comprehend short written and spoken messages. 

B1 (Lower Intermediate) 

At the B1 level, you can start to enjoy more German media, grasping the main ideas of TV or radio programs that have slow and clear narration. Your written and spoken expressions also become more sophisticated. 

B2 (Upper Intermediate) 

Reaching the B2 level means that you can appreciate German media more fully, although you might still struggle with fast dialogue or idiomatic expressions. Your use of German is more nuanced at this level. The right words, expressions, and grammar come more easily to you, with much less hesitation than at lower levels.  

C1 (Lower Advanced) 

At the C1 level, your use and understanding of German becomes more intuitive. You can read deeper into the German you see and hear, engaging in more complex conversations and enjoying more native-level media. 

C2 (Upper Advanced/Fluent) 

Your mastery at the C2 level lets you produce and understand highly complex German. This is close to native-level German fluency. Even accents from different parts of the German-speaking world don’t throw you off. 

• German language certifications  

These seven German language certifications measure your German language skills using the CEFR levels. Each of these tests provides an official assessment of German proficiency for learners in different situations.  

Generally, these exams are taken at authorized test centers on designated dates. 

Goethe-Zertifikat 

There are six types of Goethe-Zertifikat, each corresponding to a CEFR level from A1 through C2. These are administered by the Goethe-Institut, an independent organization dedicated to the study of German language and culture. 

Different versions of the Goethe-Zertifikat tests for levels A1 (lower beginner) through B2 (upper intermediate) can be taken by both younger students and adults. The tests for the C1 and C2 levels, however, are for adults only. Students, visa seekers, or workers can all benefit from getting a Goethe-Zertifikat. 

The Goethe-Zertifikat C2, also called Grosses Deutsches Sprachdiplom (Great German Language Diploma), measures a near-native mastery of German by non-native speakers. The test can be taken by any German learner over the age of sixteen. It works best for people who would like to teach, do research, or study in Germany.  

Goethe-Test PRO 

If you’re planning to use German professionally, you can take the Goethe-Test PRO to show current or prospective employers your competence. This two-part exam presents different sets of questions, focusing on your listening and reading skills.  Based on your responses, it automatically adapts to your level of German knowledge. 

The computer-based test takes up to 90 minutes to complete, and you’ll get your results as soon as you finish. 

Goethe-Test PRO Pflege 

This is a variation of the Goethe-Test PRO that’s made specifically for healthcare professionals, such as nurses. It tests mastery at the B2 (upper intermediate) level. 

TestDaF 

TestDaF — the Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (Test of German as a foreign language) was created primarily for students who wish to study at the university level in Germany.  

Designed to assess the proficiency of German language students from the B2 to C1 levels — basically, upper intermediate to lower advanced — it can be taken on a computer or on paper. Once you’ve passed the TestDaF exam, your certification will be valid indefinitely. 

telc (The European Language Certificates) 

A budget-friendly alternative to the various types of Goethe-Zertifikat, the many varieties of telc language certification tests provide a practical assessment of your German language skills.   

For instance, if you want to study at a German university, the telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule certificate can help get you into a graduate-level lecture hall. To obtain German citizenship, you might use the Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer A2·B1 or the Zertifikat Deutsch / telc Deutsch B1 as proof of your German-language skills. 

The telc Deutsch B1-B2 Pflege is for nurses, whereas the telc Deutsch B2·C1 Medizin is for doctors who need privileges at German hospitals. 

If you want to do business in German, try one of the telc Deutsch tests with Beruf (profession) in the title.  

The governments of every German-speaking country accept telc certificates as proof of language proficiency for various immigration and residency purposes, such as obtaining a visa or a residence permit. 

In fact, the governments of both Germany and Austria paired with telc test developers to ensure that these certificates would suffice for naturalization and residency. 

DTZ 

BAMF, the Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge (Federal Office for Migration and Refugees), is Germany’s national migration authority.  

As a way of measuring immigrants’ progress in various government Integrationskurse (integration courses), they have created the DTZ, which stands for Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (German test for immigrants). It covers such topics as housing, health, social interaction, shopping, work, and raising children. 

DSD  

The Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz (German Language Certificate of the Education Ministers Conference), or DSD, was designed for foreign students who wish to study in German universities.  

If you take the DSD I exam and achieve a level A2 or B1 on the test, you will be eligible to attend a Studienkolleg. This is a public institution that prepares students to attend a German university. 

The DSD II exam is intended for students with a B2 or C1 level of German fluency. If you pass this exam, you can be authorized to study at a German institution of higher learning without any remedial language lessons.  

Comparing German Language Certifications 

With this at-a-glance comparison of German language certifications, you can easily see which of these tests might be best for you. 

Certificate Name	Who’s it for?	CEFR Level(s)
Goethe-Zertifikat	Students (youth & adults) Visa-seekers Workers in fields like hospitality and childcare Teachers & researchers (C2 level)	A1 – C2
Goethe-Test PRO	Professionals & business people	A1 – C2
Goethe-Test PRO Pflege	Nursing professionals	B2
TestDaF	University & graduate-level students Scientists	B2 – C1
telc (various tests)	Students Business people Medical professionals People seeking residency, visas, or citizenship	A1 – C2
DTZ	Immigrants	A2 – B1
DSD	Students (university level)	A2/B1 (DSD I) or B2/C1 (DSD II)

Costs associated with learning and testing at various proficiency levels  

Different centers may choose to charge differently for their German Language training services. However learning and testing for German language is generally cheap and affordable to many people, including students. The costs are split into two categories namely (i) German Language training/learning fee and (ii) German Language testing fee. The training/learning fee is payable to the institutions or individuals offering such training services. The Language testing fee is payable ONLY to certified and approved German Language testing centres. In Kenya Goethe Institute is generally considered to be the leading German Language Testing Centre.  These costs may change from time to time. Guided by the need to keep these costs as low as possible for many to afford, Germany Relocation Expert in collaboration with Talent Search Foundation have identified a reliable German Language learning and training provider currently with the below training fee structure. 

Language Level	Learning/Training Fee	Duration of learning	Examination Fees  (Goethe Institute – Kenya)
A1	Kshs 30,000	Varies but usually 6 weeks	Click here to view current fees
A2	Kshs 30,000	Varies but usually 6 weeks	Click here to view current fees
B1	Kshs 30,000	Varies but usually 6 weeks	Click here to view current fees
B2	Kshs 30,000	Varies but usually 6 weeks	Click here to view current fees
C1	Kshs 30,000	Varies but usually 6 weeks	Click here to view current fees
C2	Kshs 30,000	Varies but usually 6 weeks	Click here to view current fees

Notes: 

1. For those intending to pursue work and study opportunities in Germany, a minimum of B1 proficiency level is recommended. 

2. In special but rare cases some applicants wishing to take up internship or work opportunities may relocate to Germany even before attaining B1 proficiency level but must have at least passed A1 proficiency level and A2 proficiency level, or A2 learning ongoing at the time of relocation. It’s however important to emphasize that cases of relocating to Germany while possessing below B1 proficiency level are usually rare.  

3. Language Training fees is payable to the program partner named Germany Relocation Expert (working with other parties) and details of payment can be provided on request. Talent Search Foundation May however receive payments on behalf of Germany Relocation Expert and forward the same to the company. 

4. Successful German language learners wishing or planning to relocate to Germany either for work or study purposes, and guided by our program partner Germany Relocation Expert should expect to spend more on Relocation expenses. For more information on how you can relocate to Germany for work, studies or any other legal reason please contact us (in particular our partner German Relocation Expert) or you may contact Talent Search Foundation to arrange for a meeting with you and the Germany Relocation Expert. The good news is that our partner in the program, the German Relocation Expert (a company registered and operational in Germany) has indicated that it’s possible to pay their relocation charges in instalments. 

5. Applicants who are already professionally qualified nurses and are interested in taking up work in Germany will find the relocation process far much easier, shorter and less costly provided they have passed language proficiency up to B1. A professionally qualified nurse can within 2 to 4 months complete both the language proficiency and relocation to Germany. Applicants currently holding no professional qualifications in healthcare will be guided by German Relocation Expert on how to acquire Care Givers certifications concurrently as they learn the German language. Applicants in this category should expect their work or study relocation process to take between 3 to 6 months. 

6. Our partner in the program, the German Relocation Expert has reliably informed us that although the immediate focus is on health care providers, very soon they will open doors for other professionals in other fields to equally find opportunities in Germany or any other country where the proficiency in German language works to their advantage. 

7. Participants in this program, both the organizers and beneficiaries are encouraged to be honest in the entire process, being honest is good for everybody. It’s the right way to do things. 

8. To keep everyone informed and updated the program organizers will endeavour to hold meetings, especially with beneficiaries in the program to share information and exchange ideas on how to make the program even more successful. In particular there shall always be a meeting with new applicants to give them more information and allow for questions and answers so that they begin the process with full knowledge. 

How do I join the Germany Language Learning Program? 

To join the program, the first step is to write an email message to charlesk@talentsearchfoundation.org and copy to dotun@germanyrelocationexpert.de , ckimringine@gmail.com , bligk16@gmail.com and justlawson5@gmail.com . 

In the email mention the following: 

1. You are interested in joining the Germany Language Learning Program 

2. Your full names as they appear on your passport or National Identity Card 

3. Your WhatsApp enabled Telephone Number 

4. Your country of origin (Country of Birth) 

5. Your current location/Physical address (Name the location/county and country) 

6. The level of German Language proficiency at which you want to start, that is: A1 (beginner), A2, B1, B2, C1, C2 or I already have B1 Germany Language proficiency or above. 

7. Your postal address. 

**Once we receive email with the above information, we shall immediately contact you for further discussion. Alternatively You may contact us, including WhatsApp via +254720100768, +4915736782302 , +254715642289, +447832961959 

For More information on the program open webpage https://talentsearchfoundation.org/project-9/ or contact us via or charles@talentsearchfoundation.org , dotun@germanyrelocationexpert.de, justlawson5@gmail.com / bligk16@gmail.com, ckimringine@gmail.com  

**Note: Talent Search Foundation (TSF) is a Non-Governmental Organization registered in the Republic of Kenya and Germany Relocation Expert is a company duly registered in The Federal Republic of Germany.