Help to translate forms for Immigrants in Germany. The more we are, the more people we'll help!

I am trying to get translations of the most common forms to be filled out by people in Germany when it comes to unemployment or social help of any kind. Myself I had a hard time filling those out in my language and found little or no documents from the official source. Not to say, that the offices constantly denied me any real help (even when they spoke perfect english). For me, this is a way of discrimination since they force you to stay in a position of weakness while you don't know the language, which is absolutely unfair So, if the official offices don't work on this. I will. I can start with my native language but I need help since I also lack of time with a small baby. Thanks to everyone who'd like to contribute to this. I am sure it will help so many people. Here is the link to the project. http://ackuna.com/translate-/help-for-immigrants-in-germany

Self-employed in Germany

Let's face it: for many of us, self-employment is the only way to step into the job market. In my case it has been a mixture of wanting to stay at home with our newborn and the fact that my German, while good, it may not be so perfect for a business environment that requires quick response in the native language. That level of proficiency takes time, and it was not on my plans to wait that long to be able to make a living!


 I've found that becoming self-employed is relatively simple but, that many of the steps get messed because of many reasons and what it should have taken you barely 3 weeks, it ends up being a never ending nightmare. There is many articles and resources online but I always get the same trouble, there is always something that wasn't mentioned or the guidance has any missing steps, etc. That is the reason why I've decided to make this post. I hope that all of you find it helpful and please let me know if I am missing something or if it was any different in your specific case so we can help the one each other here. All of my examples are based on a EU citizen (in my case Spanish) so I could not tell if there is any extra steps for citizens from other countries, which is the reason why your comments and experiences are so welcome!

*DON'T WORRY, I'LL ADD ALL DETAILS ON EACH STEP ASAP!

Step 0: Make sure  to brainstorm what you would like to do, it is very easy to get lost if you didn't take car of your homework when it comes to the work you would actually like to do.

Step 1: Gewerbeanmeldung
Step 2: Finanzamt (Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung), Handwerkskammer, Berufsgenossenschaft, Industrie und Handelskammer, Statistisches Landesamt and Handelsregister. Those will contact you (or the ones required in your case, but it is always nice to pre-view what documents should you work with, so you can find your way through unexpected vocabulary, etc)
Step 3: Ausländeramt (could also be at the Bürgerbüro)
Step 4: Arbeitsagentur/ Jobcenter
Step 5: Gesundheitsamt
Step 6: Sozialversicherungen 

Applying for a Tax ID [Steuer-ID]

It is actually quite simple:

The tax office will send you the tax ID automatically to your registered German address within three months after you've done your Bürgeramt registration. 

But if you've lost it or not received it after 3 months. You can get it here

Integrationskurs - How to pass the A2/B1 Prüfung succesfully!

I recently had to make this test and for a few months been searching for information and any resource that may be helpful. The main problem (from my point of view), is that yeah! there is TONS of information out there but none of them got "the whole thing", what I was looking for... let's say.

So I've started trying to figure out in any other way. When you are at school, they kind of explain you that the exam is split in 3 parts and also tell you approximately the kind of things that may go in. But I still had so many questions:

• How does it really work when you go there to take the test?
• What are you supposed to do?
• What can you bring with you or not?
• Can you use a dictionary?
• Can you go to the bathroom?
• Is there any more model tests that you could use to train yourself before the big day?
• What do I do if my assigned partner clearly has a different level than I do?!

Those and million more where my questions. Maybe you have any other but what I mean with this is that still there is a lack of information that may prepare you for real (technically and mentally) for you not to get lost that day!

This is what worked for me so I'll share it.

1-. Go intensive for the last 3 days previous to the exam. What do I mean with that?

 a) The book you use for the course has most likely what they call "Online Übungen", find them and practice them, a bit everyday. In case you are not attending any school or yours doesn't use a specific class book, check my article for Good books to learn German with Online Übungen.

b) Chose one software program that helps you assimilate basics without thinking on grammar. Rosetta Stone can do wonders, since you are getting things like basic articles, dative cases and so on in a way that doesn't make you think too much. Since we want it not to be stressful, this is just ideal. But hey, any other similar program that works for you, it is just as good! If you need information on good options to learn with software, please check my article on Best Software to learn German.

2-.Watch the following videos (all of them, once a day during the intensive days). It may seem silly, but you can learn a lot from them. Stuff like: getting used to the "test format", things that you SHOULDN'T do, things that may be helpful to do, what can help you "stand out" and get an extra consideration.

Mündliche Prüfung telc Deutsch A1

Mündliche Prüfung telc Deutsch A2

Mündliche Prüfung telc Deutsch B1

Mündliche Prüfung telc Deutsch B2

3-. Watch movies and TV programs in German. Just like that! Try to find the ones you like. If you don't have a preference, cannot afford paid service or you're just living outside Germany, your best option is watching German TV. However, if you can really afford it: use video-on-demand services. Most of them even got a 30 day trial which means that you don't even have to pay for it unless you continue on needing it!

The ones that work better for me are: Amazon Instant Video and Netflix (what I love from this one is that you can have subtitles on/off with whatever you watch which Amazon doesn't offer!

4-. Practice as much as you can: describing pictures and situations in German & writing letters and emails in German.