Bottrop is looking for a volunteer: language mediators for new neighbors urgently needed!

Bottrop is looking for a volunteer: language mediators for new neighbors urgently needed!

The lay interpretation pool in North Rhine-Westphalia is an important state program that aims to minimize communication problems between new people and municipal actors. The initiative is implemented locally by the municipal integration centers and offers linguistic help exactly where it is needed. The city of Bottrop is currently looking for new amateur language investigators to beat the important bridge between different language and cultural worlds.

The requirements for potential amateur speakers are clearly defined: they have to be of legal age, have a work permit and have very good knowledge of German. In addition, at least one further language is required. The program is aimed at people with interest in linguistic support and motivation to reduce language barriers. Reliability, joy of communication and openness to people with different living environments are other essential properties. Interested parties should also be willing to regularly participate in training and further training.

training offer and regular meetings

In order to enable the new lay interpreters to get a good start, basic training is offered. This introduction to the activity provides important information and skills for the communicative challenges. In addition, in -depth training courses take place at least twice a year, and regular exchange meetings every 6 to 8 weeks promote contact and networking the volunteers.

For their commitment, the amateur speakers receive adequate allowance. Fatma al-Saadi is the responsible contact person in Bottrop and can be reached on 02041 704746 or by email (fatma.al-sadi@bottrop.de). The future amateur language investigators are not only language brokers, but also important actors who contribute to improving intercultural exchange.

Integration at the federal level

The initiative in Bottrop fits into a larger framework of measures to integrate refugees and immigrants, which are funded by the federal government. These measures are diverse and range from language brokerage offers to support in integration into the labor market. One focus is on the integration of women, children and adolescents as well as groups in need of protection.

The Federal Ministry of Family Affairs is also actively involved in social participation and violence in refugee accommodation. Programs such as the ESF federal program "Strong at work-mothers with a migration background increase" support immigrants in starting the labor market, while youth migration services offer young migrants aged 12 to 27 years of professional advice and accompaniment.

The measures are part of a comprehensive approach that aims to create equal opportunities and to promote social cohesion. For example, sponsorship programs such as "People strengthen people" should offer additional support and facilitate access to educational offers.

Overall, it can be seen that the lay mediation in Bottrop and the associated initiatives on local and nationwide level are central building blocks for successful integration. The importance of linguistic bridges cannot be assessed highly enough, since they contribute to the social cohesion in an increasingly various society.