The organization HVMZM in cooperation with the State Office of Education and two participating schools (primary school at the Schwanthalerstr. 70 and the school at the Albert-Schweitzer-Str. 59) has started two new projects in order to respond adequately to the growing inflow of school-age refugee children, who have big difficulties to follow the normal school because many of them are illiterate.

The projects includes school preparatory measures for: children aged from six years and for young people aged from 10 years. The students were temporarily exempted from their school attendance in order to take part in our preparatory courses. In the beginning of September, after they have successfully finished our courses, children will be sent to the transition classes in one of our partner schools.

Some of the children and young people have never visited a school. Even for those one who have already been schooled, the change to the German education system is difficult because these children are used to authoritarian learning environment. In some countries of origin, the children were punished for mistakes. In addition to the new language, they must also get used to our numbers. Within ten weeks they should learn to write in German. Our supportive measures will help children and young people to integrate into the normal school day as much as possible.

The learning of the alphabet happens by study of short and then longer words and word strings follow up to the whole sentences. The promotion of reading is done by word and sentence dictation in combination with short sentences in simple language. Part of the teaching process is learning basic knowledge of German language, for example, to learn how to welcome somebody and to introduce them self in simple sentences. Moreover, the children learn how to get along in Munich and to use Munich public transportation.

We also reason that the children get used to the social life at school. This includes learning the social behavior in schoolyard, go on excursions to the surroundings, etc.

The school unit provides classrooms, and all other costs, such as teaching staff and equipment, are provided by the association alone.

We also offer courses during the holidays in our rooms in order to make the transition to the school in September successful.