New measures launched in Austria for the improvement of German learning
Austria will soon offer its students German language classes. A measure aimed at facilitating the integration of non-mother tongue students and their educational development.
Lack of knowledge of the language of instruction can be an obstacle to integration and further represents a limit to the education and careers evolution. As showed recently by several studies, a significant proportion of Austrian students report deficits in German and a lack of coverage by the current support system.
From September 2018, the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research will implement new measures in this respect.
Pupils who have no or very limited knowledge of German when they enter the school system will be assigned to a German language class.
As accompanying measures syllabuses will be prescribed for the new German classes and the classification itself will be based on standardized language screenings. Moreover, targeted support, amounting to 6 hours / week, will be given after the transition to regular lessons.
Some of the main objectives of this measure are:
• More and more targeted support for those children and adolescents who have insufficient command of the language of instruction.
• New curriculum with pedagogical focus on language acquisition in German
• Uniform language examination after each semester and opportunity to transfer to regular class.
• Objective and transparent determination of the non-regular status of a pupil and subsequently, the extent of German funding
How this process will be carried out?
For Primary schools, 15 hours per week of intensive language training will be provided in the context of the respective 22/24 total hours per week according to the hourly table. In addition to the German language class, these students will be part of the regular classes and take part in regular subjects and activities (such as gymnastics, class and school trips).
For Secondary schools, 20 hours per week of intensive language training within the respective 28/32 total hours per week will be ensured, according to the hourly table.
