Language Learning Secrets Of Austrian Schools

The Austrian education system offers a variety of options for language learning, including public Volksschulen in small towns, which may provide extra help with language and accent improvement. Homeschooling is also an option, although it is not easy to arrange and there is a clause in the law prohibiting pupils with German language learning support needs from being homeschooled. The British Council offers a Language Assistants Programme, which sends English Language Assistants to secondary schools and further education colleges in Austria.

English language assistants in Austrian schools

The Language Assistants Programme is a bi-lateral mobility programme that sends English Language Assistants to secondary schools or further education colleges in Austria. The programme is run by the British Council in partnership with the Sprachassistenz in Österreich team, part of the OeAD Agentur für Bildung und Internationalisierung.

English Language Assistants can be allocated to work in one, two, or three schools. They may offer extra help in language and accent improvement, depending on specialist availability.

In Austria, there is a clause in the law prohibiting pupils with "Deutsch-Förderbedarf" (German language learning support needs) from being homeschooled. All teaching at home must be at least equivalent to that in a regular school.

German language learning support

In Austria, public Volksschulen in small towns may offer extra help in language and/or accent improvement depending on specialist availability. This is in addition to the regular school curriculum.

Homeschooling is possible in Austria, but the law prohibits pupils with a "Deutsch-Förderbedarf" (German language learning support needs) from being homeschooled. This means that children who need extra support in learning German must attend a regular school. At the end of the school year, children who are homeschooled must take Externisten exams in German in all subjects at a local school to prove that the required learning has taken place.

When choosing a school for your child, it is important to check what "Deutsch als Fremdsprache" language support they will receive. This is especially important if your child is not bilingual in German.

Overall, Austrian schools offer a variety of language support options for students learning German. This includes extra help in language and accent improvement, as well as specialised language support for students with learning needs.

Language and accent improvement

In Austria, public Volksschulen in small towns may offer extra help in language and accent improvement, depending on specialist availability. This is particularly important for children who come from abroad, as their first day of school can be a cultural shock.

In terms of language support, Austrian schools offer "Deutsch als Fremdsprache" language support.

Bilingual education

The vast majority of vocational secondary schools (BHS) in Austria teach in German. However, there are also bilingual schools (German and English), such as the Internationale Handelsakademie Hetzendorf (an HAK) and schools with bilingual classes, such as the HTL Spengergasse Vienna. The Graz International Bilingual School (GIBS) is another example of a bilingual school in Austria, where students graduate with the Austrian Matura, the IB Diploma or with both, assuming that they meet the necessary criteria. In the first year, students are required to take both German and English. In the fourth year, students must choose between French and Spanish, and in the sixth year, they must choose between Spanish, French, Latin or Russian.

Most bilingual elementary schools are run completely or partly private, which makes it impossible for families with lower incomes to enrol their children. However, there are also bilingual public schools, which are a great option for expats who want their children to learn the local language.

Homeschooling

If you want to homeschool your child, you must register with the local education authority (Bildungsdirektion) every year before the summer holidays start in July. At the end of the school year, your child will have to take Externisten exams in German in all subjects at a local school to prove that the required learning has taken place.

To teach your child languages at home, you could consider hiring a language assistant. Language assistants are often sent to Austrian schools to help teach English, so this could be a good option for homeschooling. You could also look into online language learning programmes or apps, which can provide structured language lessons and practice.

Another option is to find a local language teacher or tutor who can come to your home and teach your child. This could be a more personalised and flexible option, as you can find a teacher who suits your child's learning style and needs.

Finally, don't underestimate the power of immersion! If you're homeschooling your child, you can incorporate language learning into your daily routine. Watch movies and TV shows in the target language, listen to music, and read books and articles together. You can also find language exchange partners or playgroups where your child can practise speaking with native speakers. By creating a rich language-learning environment at home, you can give your child a well-rounded and engaging education.

Frequently asked questions