Political German Language Course for Migrants and Organizers

Spring 2024 - School of Transnational Organizing and Bildungszentrum Lohana Berkins | CEP

In Spring 2024, the School of Transnational Organizing partnered with the Bildungszentrum Lohana Berkins | Centro de Educación Popular Lohana Berkins (CEP) to offer a political German language course designed for migrant workers and activists in Berlin. The course combined language learning with political education, creating a unique space for participants to improve their German while also engaging with pressing political topics and current affairs.

The curriculum, developed by CEP and informed by the Latin American tradition of Educación Popular, used pedagogical tools aimed at both language acquisition and political empowerment. The course met twice a week for three hours over a three-month period, creating an environment where participants could connect with one another, practice their German skills, and learn to discuss and debate various political issues in the German context.

One of the primary challenges facing migrant communities in Germany is access to the necessary tools to engage in political discussions and decision-making. This course aimed to bridge that gap by providing a space for migrant workers and organizers from different struggles to come together, learn, and share experiences in a supportive and inclusive setting.

Key Topics and Goals of the Course:

  • Developing the vocabulary needed to discuss political and current affairs in German

  • Learning how to argue effectively and engage in political debates

  • Understanding the German political context and how to participate in it

  • Connecting with other migrant workers and organizers to build solidarity and community


As Lohana Berkins’ CEP explains:
"How do we argue? What is the right vocabulary? What is happening in the political landscape of Germany? How can we organize ourselves politically within this territory? Is there a way for the large migrant community in Germany to make decisions?"

The course aimed to equip participants with the tools and experiences needed to better engage with German politics, with the ultimate goal of fostering a more inclusive and politically active migrant community in Berlin.

Next Course:

The next Political German course will begin in 2025. Stay tuned for more details and registration information!