“Immigrants must learn German!” is a rallying cry heard throughout Germany these days. But what kind of policies are in place to bring this about? The imam I spoke with on Wednesday told me he tried to take a German course in Berlin but was denied the opportunity. The rules were being followed, but to him it was a missed opportunity for everyone concerned.
The Germany Embassy and the Turkish government have partnered to provide German courses through the Goethe Institute in Ankara to religious officials who will be stationed in Germany. The courses last 4 months, provide over 400 hours of instruction, and cost nothing for the participants.
The idea behind the program is that anyone coming to Germany to provide religious services for 4 years should be able to communicate with people outside the Turkish community, even if only to ask directions.
That’s all fine and good, but when the imam tried to sign up for German courses here in Berlin, he ran into trouble. He wanted to take courses that are being offered at a discounted rate to immigrants. Each student pays one euro per hour (80 hours/month) and a foundation subsidizes the rest.
The problem was that these courses are intended for immigrants who plan to live in Germany for the long-term. Since the people who ran this course knew the imam would be returning to Turkey in four years, they said he couldn’t sign-up.
He told them, “Even before I came to Germany your government wanted me to learn German and provided me with an opportunity to do so. Now that I want to continue on my own here in Germany, I’m not allowed to.”
I asked him if it was because he would be taking someone else’s place or using up resources intended for needier immigrants. He said that wasn’t the reason they gave him. The simple answer, the rule that couldn’t be bent, was that these courses were for permanent immigrants.
He was disappointed, and even more so because the decision was counterproductive. Here’s a man who stands before 500 Turkish immigrants every Friday, a person respected for his religious knowledge and consulted on issues ranging from family disputes to education. He could’ve been a role model to those around him and encouraged more Turks to learn German, which is exactly what Germans want.
Too bad so much gets lost when you translate theory into practice.
8 comments ↓
“Too bad so much gets lost when you translate theory into practice.”
nice approach!
Thanks!
Luckily there are many mosques which offer German courses besides many other courses on a honorary bases. These are however not professional and sufficient, but at least something is done. There is, as you said, too much good will and theory, but when trying to get it done it is hindered by many unseen facts (money, place, gender, tradition, law etc).
You’re right, ferramis, they’re better than nothing.
Too bad that politicans can not identify (and I`m sure that they don`t want to idenbtify) with the problems of immigrants!
Thanks for the comment, Mr. German Courses. I think you’re generally right–there’s probably some cost associated with identifying too closely with immigrants. I’m curious how various German politicians with roots in Turkey (e.g., Ekin Deligöz) position themselves vis-a-vis immigrants and how they’ll fare in the long run. I haven’t kept a tally, but certainly their numbers must be increasing.
It is news like this that make you wonder how serious Europe really is about coming to workable solution on immigration issues…
Exactly, germangirl. I should check to see if there have been any developments…but I’m not holding by breath.
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