A new study from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg challenges a common integration policy in Germany: placing newly arrived refugee children in separate “welcome classes” before moving them into the regular school system.

Analyzing data from over 1,000 young refugees, researchers found that students integrated directly into regular classes learn German more effectively than those who first attend welcome classes. Long waiting times before school enrollment—often more than six months—were a key factor. Many refugee children do not begin school until their families are officially assigned to a municipality, leaving them without contact with German-speaking peers during that period.

Even years later, former welcome class students demonstrated weaker German skills compared to those who entered mainstream classrooms from the start. The lack of daily interaction with native-speaking classmates appears to hinder language acquisition, and welcome classes often fail to close initial skill gaps.

The study also linked poorer language skills to insecure residency status. Refugees facing the possibility of deportation may invest less effort in learning German if their future in the country is uncertain.

Researchers recommend policymakers prioritize rapid school enrollment and immediate integration into subject-specific lessons, especially in primary schools, avoiding segregated preparatory classes whenever possible. n-tv.de