Simple language

Information in Simple Language

The IBZ Friedenshaus is an association in Bielefeld. IBZ It is the abbreviation for International Meeting Centre. People from all over the world can meet here. You can find it here:

  • discussing
  • Be politically active
  • Celebrate together

We want to learn to live well together.

In the IBZ there are therefore:

  • Working groups on issues such as racism and discrimination
  • Creative working groups, readings, film evenings
  • advice on migration. So advice for people who have come to Germany from other countries.
  • integration courses. So courses in which you can learn German.
  • A language café to learn German.
  • A meeting place for women who have come to Germany from other countries.
  • Different house groups that are enthusiastic about different topics.
  • The opportunity to talk to each other about everything.

education

We organize Continuing education courses for adults. These courses are, for example, on the subject of politics. And there are lectures on various topics such as flight and A living democracy. This means: Democracy that you can participate in. We also offer Learning forums for schoolchildren to. These are meetings where children can learn English and math, for example. There are also various Language and PC courses.

integration

When immigrants arrive in Germany, we would like to support them. Even in the time after they arrived and have been here longer. This is important to us. In addition, there are many information events and discussion events on the topic. We also offer Integration courses and Migration counselling for adults to. The abbreviation is MBE. At the heart of our work is that everyone should learn from each other.

culture

We always have a varied program:

  • concerts
  • Dance performances
  • Film screenings
  • and theatre performances

There are also many other cultural offerings such as:

  • Salsa Dance Courses and Balkan Dance Courses
  • Language café and women's café

There is something suitable for everyone. The annual highlights in this area are the Refugee Day In June and our Summer party in September.

Integration courses

In our German course department we offer General integration courses and Integration courses with literacy to. One Literacy course is a special integration course for immigrants who cannot write and read the German alphabet. You will learn the German language and the German alphabet at the same time. In Germany, the Latin script is used. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees promotes these courses. The abbreviation for the Federal Office is BAMF.

In General course Learn German in 600 lessons. After that, you can learn German at the language level B1 Language courses can be completed at a certain level. Here are the language levels of the Common European Framework of Reference. The abbreviation is GER. There are six different levels for language levels: from A1 to C2. The levels show how well you can speak a foreign language.

Further information: www.bamf.de/Integrationskurse


The integration courses both end with these final tests:

  • German test for immigrants. The abbreviation is DTZ.
  • and Living in Germany.  The abbreviation is LiD.

You can only register in person for an integration course at our office.

Dear advice seekers!

The migration counselling for adults is intended to accompany newly immigrated people on their way to German society. The consultation is free of charge and confidential. We support the people there so that they can also use their rights. We also encourage people to act on their own in all areas of life as much as possible. 

It is not only migrants and late emigrants who can use the counselling. Counselling is also available for refugees in the asylum procedure. This applies to refugees with Perspective to stay, who came to Germany by 31 July 2019. Remaining perspective means that people from other countries are likely to stay in Germany for a longer period of time. This applies to refugees from:

  • Eritrea
  • Somalia
  • Syria
  • Iran
  • Iraq

And the advice is for refugees with a place to stay who came to Germany from 1 August 2019. This applies to refugees from:

  • Eritrea
  • Syria

Retired family members can also use the counselling.

Advice is available on these topics

  • Learn German, integration courses
  • housing
  • Kindergarten, school, education
  • Occupation, work
  • Legal issues: Residence Act, Social Security Act: Take, for example, the job center. Nationality law, labour law or civil law
  • Family and education, social environment and leisure time
  • Health issues, experience of violence, trauma: For example, experience in war. disability
  • further counselling centres and assistance services

KiJu area

The IBZ is a recognized provider of child and youth welfare. In the open Children's and youth area (KiJu) we have offers and projects for all children and adolescents from 0 to 27 years. The abbreviation for children's and youth area is KiJu. Anyone can join in. It does not matter:

  • What religion someone has.
  • Whether someone is rich or poor.
  • What gender someone has.


The most important feature of the open children's and youth area is that everyone participates voluntarily in the offers and events.

Political Continuing Education at the IBZ

This Intercultural educational work Peace House is a state-recognised institution of political adult education. The abbreviation is IBF.

We offer courses, information events and discussion events on the following topics:

  • Immigration and integration
  • Vibrant democracy – participation and proper handling of different media
  • Human rights and political culture
  • International politics
  • Climate change and development – what can be done on the ground? What can you do around the world?
  • Changes in population structure


The courses and events of the IBF are for:

  • Refugees
  • migrants
  • and People of Color. These are people who have been treated poorly because of their skin color.
  • and all other interested persons aged 16 and over

Participation in our events and courses is usually free of charge. This should also make it possible for people with little or no money to attend the events and courses.

Translated by: Tobias Berger; Date: February 2024;                                                     
Office of Light Language Bethel: www.leichtesprache-bethel.de