Evaluation of job-related German language training

Client: Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS), Berlin

Project partners: Institut für Angewandte Wirtschaftsforschung (IAW), Tübingen; Forschungsinstitut Betriebliche Bildung (f-bb), Nuremberg; Kantar Public (Kantar Deutschland GmbH), Munich

Duration: 2020 – 2025

According to the German Residence Act, the acquisition of job-related German language skills is promoted by providing job-related language training. The aim is to better integrate people without sufficient German language skills into sustainable employment or vocational education.

This project evaluates the use, implementation and effects of job-related language training. The research team assesses the success of training both with respect to language skills and success in the labour market. The effects of job-related language training are estimated using field experiments and quasi-experiments, while qualitative approaches are used in order to uncover explanatory relationships. Further, the project addresses the link to the integration courses, which precede job-related language training.

Are the goals of job-related German language training generally achieved? How does job-related language training affect labour market integration of the participants? Which target groups benefit in particular? Which factors promote or inhibit the effects? The project will provide answers to these questions and derive policy recommendations.