The Importance of Education, Language, and Integration for Refugees

Do we have to go to school? Yes or no, and why? Or is education better at home – without school?

If we speak the German language, is that enough for integration into society?

Is the language enough? Or do we have to respect the laws and the system as well as different views, cultures, colors and races?

Education and language clear the way

Jemil Ibrahim was interviewed first. The 35-year-old Syrian engineer said: “I think it’s a good idea to go to school every day. It is important. Because if we learn the German language, we can communicate with others. By learning the language we also have to respect the laws and the system in Germany.
Germany is a liberal country and I like that because we need a law that all people recognize. I believe that we can and should do this.
I am happy in Germany and I thank the German government for accepting the refugees.”

“We need communication and contact”

Ayham Kozy was then interviewed. He was a fourth-semester English literature student in Syria and said: “I think it’s good to go to school every day because we also learn a lot of German grammar. And I think it works better than at home because we can meet with colleagues in the German course. I find it useful.
For example: A colleague in the German course has a birthday, so we are planning a surprise party for him.
I also have a new idea. I suggest we meet Germans at school because we need communication and contact.”

Language as a key to integration

Raeid Ali was a student in Iraq. The 21-year-old explained: “We have to go to school because we need the German language. On the one hand, I know that it is difficult to go to school every day, but on the other hand, we want to integrate into German society.”

The last interview was conducted with Konni Mente. The German teacher at the DAA said: “School plays a big role in the language education of refugees, as it is difficult to teach yourself the German language on your own.
I think that learning the language is a basic requirement for integration. If you know the language, it is easier to make contacts with others, you can do everything on your own and are therefore freer. It is also important in order to be able to participate in working life.”