Language barriers stymie Vietnamese vocational students in Germany

Minh Hoa, 25, has been studying taxation under Germany’s vocational training system in the state of Baden-Württemberg for five months. Before leaving Vietnam, she spent a year studying German independently and passed the B2 level.

According to the Goethe-Institut, a B2 certificate indicates advanced German proficiency, enabling holders to understand complex texts, follow detailed discussions, and express themselves fluently on familiar topics across listening, reading, writing and speaking.

However Hoa says the reality is very different. When dealing with native speakers during administrative procedures, shopping or workplace training, she often finds herself unsure whether she has "understood what they said correctly." Lacking confidence, she sometimes switches to English to avoid mistakes.

Listening comprehension in class has been her biggest challenge. Although she enrolled in September, she continues to struggle to keep pace with lectures delivered at high speed and often in regional dialects. Most of her classmates are German or have stronger language skills, making it difficult for her to integrate. Even when she wants to participate, she says she feels shy and out of place.

Hoa frequently relies on ChatGPT to translate study materials and assignments. "There are times when I feel so discouraged that I just want to buy a ticket and fly back to Vietnam," she said.

Trong Hoang, 21, who began vocational training as a chef more than a year ago, recalls similar difficulties during his early months in Germany. Unlike the grammatically complete sentences he learned in Vietnam, Hoang found that Germans tend to speak quickly, concisely and with far less elaborate vocabulary than textbooks suggest.

Anh Phuong, a student of hospitality and restaurant management, said what frustrates her most is the length of German compound words. "For example, ‘speed limit’ in German is geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung. It’s just one word, but it’s as long as the road from my house to work," she joked.

Germany has become a major destination for international students, particularly in vocational training programs, as the country faces labor shortages driven by an aging population. Trainees receive stipends during apprenticeships, have opportunities to remain and work after graduation, and can earn starting salaries comparable to the national average, about 2,300 to 3,500 euros (US$2,700–4,200) per month.

Around 4,000 Vietnamese are currently enrolled in vocational training programs in Germany, accounting for roughly 80% of all Vietnamese students in the country.

This "language shock" is not an isolated phenomenon. On online forums, Vietnamese trainees frequently complain that they "cannot understand what Germans are saying." While no comprehensive surveys exist, experts widely agree that language proficiency remains the biggest weakness among Vietnamese vocational students.

A report published in October by German news outlet rbb24 highlighted the issue, noting that many Vietnamese trainees in Berlin struggle to meet German language requirements, leaving them isolated and insecure in the classroom and placing pressure on teachers.

Gerrit Buchhorn, managing director of the Berlin Hotel and Restaurant Association, was quoted as saying that many Vietnamese trainees can hardly keep up with lessons.

"They feel excluded and insecure. Teachers are partly overwhelmed, and normal operations are barely maintainable," he said.

The issue was also raised at the "German Career Bus" event held in late April in Hanoi and Da Nang. Oliver Brandt, director of the Goethe-Institut Hanoi, said German vocational schools and companies highly value Vietnamese trainees for their diligence and work ethic, but language remains the biggest obstacle.

Some vocational schools require only an A2-level German certificate, which Brandt said is insufficient for students to integrate into training programs and daily life.

Associate Professor Nguyen Thi Phuong Hoa, former senior lecturer at the University of Languages and International Studies under Vietnam National University, Hanoi, said German poses particular challenges due to its complex grammar, including four grammatical cases and numerous irregular verbs.

She added that everyday spoken German differs significantly from textbook language, even in simple expressions, and that Germans often speak quickly and use regional vocabulary.

However, she noted that subjective factors also contribute to the problem. Many students, she said, study German primarily to pass certification exams, often aiming only to reach B1, the common requirement for visa approval, rather than to build practical communication skills.

As a result, some students pass exams but struggle to introduce themselves clearly or understand basic questions. Many lack speaking confidence and practical vocabulary, yet hesitate to practice for fear of making mistakes.

Hoa advised prospective students to build a solid language foundation, particularly in pronunciation and the correct use of articles, and to study with teachers who emphasize motivation and effective self-learning methods.

Brandt recommended that students prepare for and sit language exams 10 to 12 months before entering Germany.

After an initial period of confusion, Hoang said he began watching YouTube videos daily to practice listening to real-life German. Setting aside embarrassment, he actively made friends and spoke with Germans to improve his listening and speaking skills.

"Give yourself time and be persistent," he said. "Gradually, it becomes less difficult."