Migration and integration — Eduqas A-Level German

Migration and integration is a key topic in WJEC A-Level German, exploring the movement of people into and within Germany, and the social, cultural, and political processes of integration. This topic covers historical waves of migration, such as the Gastarbeiter (guest workers) from Turkey and Southern Europe in the 1950s-70s, the influx of Aussiedler (ethnic German resettlers) after the Cold War, and more recent refugee movements, particularly during the 2015-16 migration crisis. Students examine the motivations for migration, including economic opportunities, family reunification, and asylum seeking, as well as the legal frameworks like the Aufenthaltsgesetz (Residence Act) and the Asylgesetz (Asylum Law).

The integration aspect focuses on how migrants and their descendants become part of German society, covering key concepts such as Sprachförderung (language support), Arbeitsmarktintegration (labour market integration), and the role of Integrationskurse (integration courses). The topic also addresses challenges like segregation, discrimination, and the rise of right-wing populism, as seen in the success of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). Understanding this topic is crucial for grasping contemporary German identity, as Germany is now a multicultural society with over 20% of its population having a migration background. This topic links to broader themes of identity, diversity, and social cohesion in modern Germany.

For A-Level students, mastering this topic requires analysing a range of authentic sources, including statistics, political speeches, newspaper articles, and literary texts. You should be able to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of migration for Germany, evaluate integration policies, and express informed opinions in both written and spoken German. The topic also encourages critical thinking about concepts like Leitkultur (leading culture) versus Multikulti (multiculturalism), and the balance between preserving cultural identity and adapting to German norms. By the end, you should be able to debate issues such as the effectiveness of the Integrationsgesetz (Integration Act) of 2016 or the impact of the dual citizenship reform.

• →Gastarbeiter: The guest worker programme (1955-1973) that brought workers from Turkey, Italy, Greece, and other countries to fill labour shortages. Many stayed permanently, leading to family reunification and the establishment of large Turkish-German communities.
• →Integrationskurse: Government-funded courses introduced in 2005 that teach German language, culture, and legal systems to new migrants. Completion is often required for permanent residency or citizenship.
• →Asylrecht: The right to asylum, enshrined in Article 16a of the German Basic Law. The 2015-16 crisis saw over a million asylum seekers, mainly from Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq, leading to policy changes like the Asylpakete (asylum packages) to speed up processing and reduce benefits.
• →Parallelgesellschaften: Parallel societies where migrant communities live separately from mainstream German society, often due to language barriers, cultural differences, or socioeconomic disadvantage. This concept is debated in discussions about integration failure.
• →Doppelte Staatsbürgerschaft: Dual citizenship, which was restricted for non-EU migrants until 2014. Since then, children born in Germany to foreign parents can hold dual citizenship, but adults often had to choose. The 2024 reform allows multiple citizenship more broadly.

• Ability to discuss reasons for migration
• Understanding of factors making migration and integration easy or difficult
• Analysis of cultural identity and the causes of marginalisation
• Evaluation of ways to eliminate marginalisation
• Discussion of cultural enrichment and the positive aspects of a diverse society
• Critical response to the experiences of those who are discriminated against

• 💡Ensure the independent research project allows for the use of analytical skills and the presentation of personal viewpoints
• 💡Use communication strategies such as circumlocution, self-correction, and repair strategies if you struggle for a word
• 💡Ensure the independent research project topic is distinctly different from other candidates in the same centre
• 💡Prepare to discuss the sub-theme in the context of any German-speaking country or community
• 💡Use the 5-minute preparation time for Task 2 to make brief notes, but avoid writing whole sentences
• 💡Use specific examples and data: Examiners reward knowledge of key statistics, such as the number of people with migration background (around 21 million in 2023) or the percentage of Turkish-Germans (approx. 2.5 million). Refer to specific policies like the Chancen-Aufenthaltsrecht (Opportunity Residence Law) of 2022.
• 💡Show balanced argument: In essays, discuss both positive contributions (e.g., economic growth, cultural enrichment) and challenges (e.g., social tensions, integration costs). Use phrases like 'einerseits... andererseits' and cite sources like the Sachverständigenrat für Integration und Migration (Expert Council on Integration and Migration).
• 💡Link to contemporary debates: Connect your answer to current issues like the Fachkräftemangel (skilled labour shortage) and the 2024 citizenship reform. Mentioning recent news shows you are up-to-date and can apply knowledge to real-world contexts.

• Choosing a research topic that is too descriptive rather than analytical
• Failing to use authentic German sources for research
• Reading out whole sentences or complete texts during the speaking assessment
• Neglecting to ask the examiner at least two questions during the speaking assessment
• Failing to make reference to information in the stimulus text at the start of the discussion
• Misconception: All migrants in Germany are refugees. Correction: The largest group of migrants are EU citizens (e.g., Poles, Romanians) who have freedom of movement. Non-EU migrants include skilled workers, students, and family members, not just asylum seekers.
• Misconception: Integration means giving up one's culture. Correction: Integration is a two-way process that involves both migrants adopting German societal norms (e.g., language, rule of law) and German society being open to diversity. The concept of Leitkultur has been criticised for implying assimilation.
• Misconception: The 2015 migration crisis was unprecedented. Correction: Germany has experienced large migration waves before, such as the 12 million ethnic German refugees after WWII and the 4 million Aussiedler after 1990. The 2015 crisis was unique in speed and scale, but not in kind.