How resilience prepares international professionals for their careers 

Our talents do not only learn German. When needed, they are also given strategies to help them cope with exam pressure, stress, and personal challenges. These skills not only help them pass the B2 exam, but also support them later in their demanding professional lives, whether in nursing, in daycare, or in the social sector. In this interview, Dr. Anne Heyn, DaF coordinator and relaxation trainer at TalentOrange, explains why resilience training is an important building block for sustainable integration.

Resilience training in a language course sounds unusual. What is behind it?

Our language courses are intensive. This means our talents have to learn the new language very quickly, with the clear goal of meeting the requirements in nursing or early childhood education. One major challenge is the B2 exam. The B2 exam can be difficult to manage in some cases because, in addition to language proficiency, it also requires reading comprehension, the ability to match and assign information, and, not least, knowledge of a wide range of topics – including cultural background knowledge. For example, we had one group that failed an exam topic on childcare during a wedding celebration because this concept does not exist in the same way in their home country.

Then there is the pressure: everyone wants to pass the exam as quickly as possible. And some people experience more stress in exam situations than others. This can lead to talents who have reached B2 level still failing the exam. This is exactly where our resilience support comes in: we want to prevent linguistic potential from being lost due to psychological stress. So, when needed, I speak with the talents, if they would like me to. Together, we look for causes and possible solutions to reduce stress.

What does this support look like in concrete terms?

If they wish, I work with the groups using relaxation methods that regulate stress and enable recovery, so that people do not end up in a state of constant stress. These methods include autogenic training, breathing exercises, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation. What matters to me is empowering the talents to use these methods on their own as well. Just as in sports, the same applies here: regular practice helps you stay calm in an exam situation.

Most importantly, however, resilience training is a direct investment in their professional future. Whether in nursing care or in daycare, these work environments are highly stressful. Anyone who learns to stay calm during a language exam gains valuable tools for remaining professional and healthy in everyday working life as well.

How do you recognize that someone is facing not only linguistic but also personal challenges?

I do not teach in the courses myself, so the instructors approach me when needed. At the same time, as a DaF coordinator, I have an overview of learning progress and teaching options after the intensive course. If we see that someone is no longer making progress after the B2 exam, I get in touch. Then we look at it together: is it due to language-related hurdles, or is something personal currently blocking the learning process? It is important to us not only to assess a person’s language level, but also to understand their situation.

You have a doctorate. How did you come to resilience training?

My doctorate in German as a foreign language did not stress me very much. But during the coronavirus period, other things reached a peak, and I knew I could not continue like that without becoming ill. I started looking into self-learning courses offered by health insurance providers and found YouTube videos with yoga sessions and guided meditations. Because I also prepared my knowledge and experience for our talents, I was able to attend further training. Most recently, I also completed a distance-learning program to become a relaxation trainer.

Finally: What should employers pay attention to when it comes to language training?

My advice to employers would be this: when it comes to language training, do not focus only on the certificate. What also matters is the conditions under which the talents are learning. Anyone who feels well supported during the learning process can concentrate better on learning and use the language more confidently. If talents also fail the B2 exam due to stress, exam anxiety, or personal strain, their entry into Germany or the start of their employment may be delayed. For employers, this means additional planning and possibly greater bridging effort. Starting in the new team can also become more difficult if the new employees begin with a high level of uncertainty or ongoing pressure.

Our language training is therefore more than a qualification measure. It contributes to exam success, planning reliability for employers, and good integration into the team. We do not view stress management and resilience training as an “extra.” If a talent needs support, we intentionally add this component to our process.

Would you like to learn more about this topic?

Get our free guide “Language makes the difference. How language training for international professionals really succeeds.”

You may also be interested in