Befreiung von der ersten oder zweiten Fremdsprachenverpflichtung wegen vorhandener Fremdsprachenkenntnisse beantragen

For students of non-German origin or with foreign language skills due to school attendance abroad, an application can be made for the official language of the country of origin to be determined as the first or second foreign language in school (compulsory or elective subject).

The official language of the country of origin, provided that no other foreign language of the country of origin has been learned, can be recognized as the first or second foreign language in school (compulsory or elective) after the level of proficiency has been determined. Corresponding applications for an assessment test can be made:

• Pupils of non-German language of origin
• school-age late repatriates who fall under the Federal Expellees Act (Bundesvertriebenengesetz)
• Pupils of German nationality who have completed most of their schooling abroad in the official language of that country and who wish to continue their schooling in Germany.

Proof of language skills must be provided by means of a written and oral examination.

• Fully completed and signed application for participation in the assessment test
• Statement from the respective school in Germany
• in some cases, original certificates for the second foreign language from the home school authority in the country of origin for a continuous period of 4 years

• Sufficient oral and written language skills in the respective official language of the country of origin.
• Proof of language proficiency by means of a written and oral examination by an examiner appointed by the responsible school authority.

Upon entry into grades 1 - 6:

• The student must make up the first foreign language (usually English) with special remedial instruction as needed.

On entry to Year 7 at schools with two foreign languages:

• The student must participate in educational counseling by the respective school regarding the choice of the second foreign language and the significance of not choosing it.

Special requirements:

• In individual cases, a school must be chosen in which the official language of the country of origin is offered as a first or second foreign language (compulsory or optional), or a school assignment must be made.
• If the student has not been able to learn the first foreign language to the required extent by the end of grade 8, the official language of the country of origin may be recognized as the first foreign language (compulsory subject) from grade 9 onwards after the level of knowledge has been determined, if this language is not offered at the receiving school instead of the foreign language (compulsory subject).
• Upon entry to Gymnasien, Abendgymnasien or Fachgymnasien:
  • Fulfillment of the foreign language regulations according to the Abitur Ordinance.
  • Proof of knowledge of two foreign languages
  • Attendance of at least four years of continuous instruction in a foreign language
  • or learning of a new foreign language for the entire duration of the gymnasiale Oberstufe with 12 hours per week as a compulsory or elective subject.
• If the pupil has participated in the teaching of a second foreign language in his or her home country for four years in the lower secondary level, including grade 10, and this is documented by the certificate of the home school authority in the country of origin, the obligation to take a second foreign language in the introductory phase may be waived.
• Pupils of vocational schools are not admitted to an assessment test if they have had the opportunity to participate in foreign language instruction for five years.
• With the exception of the specialized grammar schools, assessment examinations are only held at vocational schools within the framework of equivalency regulations for the acquisition of the Mittlere Reife. The obligation to participate in vocational foreign language instruction as stipulated in the training and examination regulations of vocational schools remains unaffected by an assessment test.

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You will be advised by the school. After the consultation, you, as a person with parental authority or as a student of full age, submit an application for participation in the assessment test.
The application is forwarded by the school with a statement to the locally responsible school authority or the school councilor for vocational schools for a decision.
The decision on admission or non-admission to the assessment test will be sent to you by mail.
The responsible school office appoints suitable examiners to prove the language skills.
The student takes part in a written and oral language test (assessment test).
The result of the assessment test will be decided in writing.
The notification of the result contains the grade of the examination and the indication that the assessment examination was completed at language level B1.

The entire process begins in November and ends with the decision in the following school year.

The applications for the assessment test are to be submitted by the assigned teacher or the class teacher to the locally responsible school office by November 15 of each year after the students have been informed in good time via the school administration.

The grade of the assessment test is relevant to the certificate.

To appeal the decision, you can file an appeal with the highest school authority.

• Recognition of the official language of the country of origin as first or second foreign language
• Assessment test
• The official language of the country of origin, provided that no other foreign language of the country of origin has been learned, can be recognized as a first or second foreign language at school (compulsory or elective subject) after the level of proficiency has been determined. You can apply for an assessment test if you or your child:
  • are a pupil of non-German language of origin
  • school-age late repatriates who are covered by the Federal Expellees Act (Bundesvertriebenengesetz), as well as
  • Pupils of German nationality who have completed most of their schooling abroad in the official language of that country and wish to continue their schooling in Germany.
• The student must provide proof of language proficiency by passing a written and oral examination.
• Competent office:
  • the respective locally responsible school office

• the respective locally responsible school authority

Forms/online services available: Yes
Written form required: Yes
Informal application possible: No
Personal appearance required: no