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Austria has a variety of schooling options for students whose native language is not German, including international schools, bilingual programs, and fast immersive German lessons. The language of instruction in standard Austrian public schools is German, and there are also a few bilingual public schools that teach in both English and German. The curriculum in these bilingual schools is tailored to students with knowledge of both languages, and they are free of charge. Private international schools are also an option, but they come with high tuition fees.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Language of instruction | German |
| Foreign languages taught | English, Latin, French, Serbocroatian, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese |
| Compulsory subjects | Mathematics, natural and social sciences, art, sport and physical education, digital basic education |
| School types | AHS (comprehensive and in-depth general education), BHS (colleges specializing in technology, arts and crafts, commerce, trade, etc.), MS (accepts all students), HLW, HTL, Polytechnische Schule, HAK |
| School system | Divided into primary school (Volksschule or Grundschule) and secondary school (Gymnasium) |
| Curriculum | Varies by school, but includes US History |
| Grading system | Differs from the US system |
| School year | Begins in mid-September for foreign students |
| School uniform | Not required in most schools |
| School fees | Free for standard public schools, high fees for international schools |
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What You'll Learn
Bilingual education in Austria
Austria's Federal Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation offers diverse educational opportunities for students whose native language is not German. The country's education system provides several pathways, from primary school to university, for students with different needs.
Austria is transitioning to a bilingual education system in German and English. Some public schools in Austria are bilingual, usually free, and teach students in both German and English. The curriculum in these schools is tailored to students with prior knowledge of both languages. However, older children with no prior knowledge of German may struggle with the curriculum and may require additional support. Bilingual public schools are particularly attractive to expat parents who want their children to interact with local students and learn German.
Language Requirements in Austrian High Schools
Austrian legislation prescribes five years of secondary education, usually for students aged 10 to 15. The secondary school, called "Gymnasium," is divided into lower secondary and upper secondary over eight years. The upper secondary school is comparable to college-prep high schools in the USA. In the first two years of secondary school, all public schools offer an identical core curriculum. Beginning in the seventh grade, students choose a focus area: languages, humanities, liberal arts, mathematics, natural sciences, economics, commerce, or fine arts. In the grammar school branch, a second modern foreign language or Latin is compulsory from the third grade.
Language Support for Non-Native Speakers
Austria has implemented various initiatives to support students who are not fluent in German, referred to as "non-regular pupils." The Austrian government has invested millions of euros annually in providing additional German support classes for students with insufficient language skills. These remedial classes comprise a significant portion of the school week for primary and secondary school pupils. Additionally, special support is offered in preschool for children who need assistance with German. A national language measurement system called MIKA-D was introduced in 2019 to assess competence in German for native and non-native speakers.
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German language proficiency
German is the primary language of instruction in Austrian schools. While there are a few bilingual schools, most public schools teach solely in German. This can pose a significant language barrier for expats, especially those with older children. However, it also offers an opportunity for cultural exchange and immersion in the local language.
To overcome this challenge, some expat parents opt for private international schools that follow a foreign curriculum, allowing their children to continue their education with minimal disruption. These schools, typically found in and around Vienna, offer high academic standards, better facilities, and infrastructure but come with high tuition fees.
For those who want their children to learn German and interact with local students, bilingual schools are an attractive option. These schools provide instruction in both English and German, and young expat children often achieve fluency in both languages quickly. However, the curriculum is tailored for students with prior knowledge of both languages, which can be challenging for older students who are new to the country.
To support students with insufficient language skills, the Austrian government has invested 4 million Euros annually since 2020 in additional German support classes. These remedial classes comprise 15 out of 24 hours per week for primary school pupils and 20 out of 32 hours for secondary school pupils. Additionally, special support is offered in preschool for non-fluent German speakers, referred to as "non-regular pupils."
For parents who want to improve their children's German language proficiency, private tutoring is also an option. Top private tuition companies in Austria, such as GoStudent and TeacherOn, can provide extra support to help students navigate the Austrian school system and prepare for important exams.
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English as a foreign language
English is taught as a foreign language in Austrian schools. The Austrian school system is changing to a bilingual education model, with instruction in both German and English. This shift aims to improve language skills and provide a diverse learning environment for students.
In primary school, English is typically introduced as the first foreign language. Then, in the grammar school branch (Gymnasium), students are required to take on a second modern foreign language or Latin from the third grade. The focus on languages in the Gymnasium curriculum includes English, Latin, and French.
For expat students or those with different mother tongues, the language barrier can be a significant challenge. Bilingual public schools, which offer instruction in both English and German, have emerged as a popular choice. These schools provide an opportunity for students to learn German and interact with local students while benefiting from a familiar curriculum. However, spaces in these schools are limited, and older children might struggle initially due to the curriculum's language expectations.
To support students with varying language skills, the Austrian government has invested in additional German support classes. This initiative ensures that students with insufficient language proficiency receive the necessary assistance to succeed in their academic pursuits.
Overall, the Austrian education system recognises the importance of language learning and is taking steps to provide a well-rounded education that equips students with valuable language skills.
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Language support for non-native speakers
Austria has a variety of educational opportunities for students whose native language is not German. The Austrian government has been investing in the provision of additional German support classes for pupils who have completed school in Austria but whose language skills are insufficient. These remedial classes comprise 15 out of 24 hours per week for primary school pupils and 20 out of 32 hours for secondary school pupils. Special support is also offered to non-fluent German speakers (referred to as "non-regular pupils") in preschool.
For those seeking a bilingual education, some public schools offer instruction in two languages, usually German and English. These schools provide a diverse and multicultural learning environment and tend to uphold relatively high standards of education. However, spaces can be quite limited. There are also international schools in Austria, which are especially popular among expat parents. These schools offer a higher standard of education and better facilities but often come with high tuition fees.
For those attending schools taught solely in German, the language of instruction is German, and teaching in a modern foreign language, usually English, begins in primary school. In the grammar school branch (Gymnasium), a second modern foreign language or Latin is compulsory from the third grade onwards. The focus of the Gymnasium is on languages (usually English, Latin, and French), humanities, and liberal arts.
To facilitate the transition to the Austrian education system, expat parents can consider the various options available, including bilingual programs, international schools, or immersive German lessons.
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Language testing
In Austria, the language of instruction in most public schools is German. However, there are bilingual schools that offer instruction in both German and another language, such as English. These bilingual schools are usually free and provide an excellent, diverse learning environment due to their multicultural atmosphere.
The Austrian education system has undergone changes in recent years to accommodate the diverse linguistic backgrounds of its students. In the 2021/22 school year, over 300,000 pupils in Vienna had a mother tongue other than German. To support these students, Austria introduced a national language measurement system for competence analysis in German called MIKA-D. This language test is administered to both native and non-native German speakers in the last year of preschool. For students who need additional support, the Austrian government has invested in remedial German classes, offering 15 out of 24 hours per week for primary school pupils and 20 out of 32 hours for secondary school pupils.
Public schools in Austria accept non-native German speakers as "non-regular pupils," allowing them to attend regular classes and advance to the next level. These students are granted one year in which they are tested every semester by a centralized language test, the MIKA D. Bilingual children can request books for German as a second language and bilingual dictionaries.
At the secondary level, students can choose between a university preparatory track at higher schools of general education (Allgemeinbildende Höhere Schulen, or AHS) or a vocational track at Berufsbildende Höhere Schulen (BHS). AHS schools, also known as gymnasiums, offer different fields of specialization, including a focus on languages, humanities, liberal arts, mathematics, natural sciences, economics, or fine arts. The curriculum at AHS schools includes English, Latin, and French as compulsory foreign languages.
To enter university, students must obtain a diploma (Reifeprüfung or Matura) from either an AHS or a BHS. The Matura examination is a high-stakes assessment that evaluates students' achievements at the end of their upper secondary education, typically when they are 18 or 19 years old. The written finals for the Matura include German, Mathematics, and a modern foreign language (usually English, French, Spanish, or Italian).
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Frequently asked questions
German is the primary language of instruction in Austrian high schools. English is also taught as a foreign language, with some schools offering other languages like Spanish, Arabic, and Chinese.
Yes, there are a few bilingual public schools in Austria that offer instruction in both English and German. These schools are attractive options for expats who want their children to learn the local language and interact with local students.
There is no specific language requirement for foreign students in Austrian high schools. However, knowledge of German is essential for attending public schools, as the curriculum is tailored to those with a basic understanding of the language. Some international schools offer instruction in English and other foreign languages.
