Group discussion: Integration at school

Since 2016 – after many refugees had fled to Germany –  some colleges of further education  have introduced a so-called “IntegrationsVorklasse” (IVK), a class for young refugees who want to graduate at FOS.

SITUATION:

You are a member of the student council and want to help those young people to integrate and feel part of the school family. In a meeting you discuss possible ideas.

PRESENTATION STAGE:

Introduce the suggestion(s) that you consider most important. The others will do the same.

DISCUSSION STAGE:

Discuss all the suggestions below. Discuss which measures should be taken and agree on three options that you want to present your principal.

Suggestions to be discussed:
– German only – foreign students should be forbidden to speak in their native language on school premises.
– Every day additional compulsory German lessons should be offered in the afternoon.
– Each foreign student has to take a civics test on political and ethical questions that are crucial to our living together.
– There should be compulsory German courses for the parents of foreign students if those parents cannot speak German.
– A social worker should be hired that supports foreign students to meet the challenges of their new home country.
– Each foreign student should be supported by a student volunteer (a team of volunteers).
– Every month the school should offer a special event organized by native students to promote integration.
– School should organize internships for foreign students so that they get in touch with the German labour market.