Emancipation, Communication, Integration. Language Education for »Guest Workers« in the Federal Republic, 1974–1990
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Emanzipation und Integration:Sprachbildung in Deutschkursen für ‚Gastarbeiter*innen‘ in der Bundesrepublik (1974-1990)
This article is concerned with educational offers for adult labour migrants from former recruitment countries of the Federal Republic during the 1970s and 1980s, using the example of the »Sprachverband Deutsch für ausländische Arbeitnehmer e. V.« (German Language Association for Foreign Workers), founded in 1974. It coordinated German language courses for »guest workers«, which had around 560,000 participants until 1989. The contribution first presents the »Sprachverband« and the courses it offered between 1974 and 1990. It then focuses on the association’s understanding of education, which formed the basis of its activities, and examines to what extent ideas of (in)equality played a role. The »Sprachverband« often emphasised the importance of German language skills for the integration of labour migrants into West German society. Thus the third part of the article discusses which semantics and perspectives on integration were important in this context. The main sources used are publications of the »Sprachverband« from the 1970s and 1980s, including commemorative publications, annual reports and publication series.