Become a language buddy
Support one person or a small group learning German — at the speaking café or one to one.
Get involved
Two groups who are missing each other.
People with thirty years of experience whose knowledge nobody asks for any more. And people with twelve years of experience whose certificate nobody reads. At Januam they sit at the same table, two hours a week. Both go home with more than they brought.
How you can take part
Become a mentor
Share what you know about your profession and the German labour market. Six months, with structured support.
Support the IT courses
Help out in the computer courses — patience matters more than expertise.
What we expect of each other
- Time
- 1–2 hours a week, 4–6 months (one pairing or one course). Speaking café: Wednesdays 17:00–19:00, as often as you like.
- Preparation
- A get-to-know conversation, then a three-hour induction before the first session. Compulsory, because it helps both sides.
- Matching
- We form pairings after conversations, not from a catalogue. Profession, language, time and personality count.
- Support
- One fixed contact person, milestone conversations after 4 and 12 weeks, a volunteers’ meeting every quarter.
- Requirements
- Confident German (speaking café, mentoring) or confident computer skills (IT support). Professional experience helps but is not a condition.
- What you get
- Induction and training, travel costs [verify], a certificate, and people whose road you would never otherwise have seen.
- Who answers
- Every enquiry within two working days. The first conversation within two weeks [verify].
From interest to first session
-
Say hello
A form or an email is enough.
-
Meet us
A conversation about your time, interests and expectations.
-
Induction
A short introduction to the role, the setting and who to ask.
-
Start
You are matched with a group or a one-to-one pairing.
- 2024
- Two hours a week, one pairing, many questions.
- Today
- Three people accompanied, two of them in work.
She came because after thirty years in her profession she wanted to pass something on, and was not sure two hours a week would be enough.
The first pairing lasted six months: going through applications, practising technical vocabulary, one joint visit to the recognition office. Her mentee works in his field again today.
“You do not need a certificate for this. You need time, and someone who tells you where to start.” [verify: real quote]
[verify: first name N.]Mentor, since 2024 [verify]
Who is already in
60+
volunteers
active in Darmstadt [verify]
2 hrs
a week
are enough for a pairing
120
pairings
accompanied since 2022 [verify]
Two hours that change a story.
You do not need a certificate. You need time, and someone who tells you where to start. That is us. The first appointment is a conversation, not a contract.