Muslim Life in Germany - Deutsche Islam Konferenz

Aspects of Integration 199
it is customary to distinguish between different integration
dimensions (Kalter 2008: 21ff). Four dimensions are generally
employed – structural, social, cognitive/cultural and identificational/emotional
integration. Descriptions of the state of
integration based on indicators frequently focus on structural
integration, as sources of data such as the official statistics on
schools and the labour market and the microcensus are easily
accessible (Berlin-Institut für Bevölkerung und Entwicklung
2009). All four areas of integration are covered in the project
“Muslim Life in Germany”.
> The following indicators are used to measure structural
integration: School-leaving qualifications in the
country of origin and in Germany, employment rate,
occupational standing, source of income and dependency
on transfer payments (sections 5.1.1 and 5.1.2).
> Cognitive/cultural integration centres first and foremost
on language proficiency. In this area, the interviewees’
own assessment of their proficiency in Germany
is examined in the competence areas of listening
comprehension, speaking skills, reading skills and
writing skills, participation in the nationwide integration
course and successful completion of the integration
course with the “Zertifikat Deutsch” (section 5.1.3).
> Social integration is measured by reference to membership
of German organisations and organisations
that bear relation to the country of origin (section
5.2.1), interethnic contact in the family, at the workplace,
in the neighbourhood and among friends,
interethnic partnerships, interreligious partnerships