German courses in Austria

Advantages of German courses in Austria

• Variety of language courses. Language centers develop special thematic courses in addition to standard ones: German for professional activities, preparation for exams, and teacher training.
• Cultural programs. Since many students come to Austria not only to improve their German, but also to relax, language schools include excursions to local museums, lectures on culture and art, ballroom dancing lessons, and even culinary master classes within their extracurricular programs.
• Low crime rate. Austria is one of the safest countries in the world according to the Global Peace Index, ranking 6th in 2021^[3].
• Climate and ecology. Austria is among the top 10 countries with the lowest level of environmental pollution (8th place). In addition, the climate here is quite mild: winter temperatures reach 2-5°C below zero, and summer temperatures average at 20-23°C. The mountainous region is a bit colder: 7-10°C below zero in the winter and 15-20°C in the summer.

Disadvantages of German courses in Austria

• Austrian dialect. Austrian differs from the usual German spoken in Germany (especially verbally), which may make it difficult for a student to communicate with the locals.
• Price. In Austria, language courses cost an average of 483 USD/week. This is more expensive than courses in Germany, where a week of study costs an average of 375 USD.
• Course quantity. There are less language school options in Austria compared to other German-speaking countries. For comparison, there are about 835 programs in Germany, 90 in Switzerland, and only 79 in Austria.

Cost of language courses in Austria

Types of language courses in Austria

Regular language courses include Standard, Intensive, and Super Intensive courses. These programs are aimed at developing language skills. The only difference between them is the intensity (number of hours per week). One-to-one lessons cover the same material as standard courses, but are held one-on-one with a teacher and the student can choose the intensity himself.

There are also unique courses. They combine language learning with additional disciplines, exam preparation, university enrollment, or work at an Austrian company.

German in the City. This program is a combination of a standard/intensive course and individual extracurricular lessons throughout the city. During such "walks", students practice the language in a natural environment: in shops or cafes, on transportation, and so on.

German and Music. The course is designed for those who want to study music in addition to the language. The weekly program includes 20-30 language lessons, one to three lessons on musical theory, and one practical lesson: vocals or a chosen instrument (violin, piano, clarinet).

German for University. As part of these programs, students prepare for the ÖSDAustrian German international language exam, study the higher education system in Austria, and at the end of the course receive recommendations for enrolling at universities: which university to choose and how to apply and prepare documents.

German and Teacher Training. This course combines standard German language classes (20 hours/week) with lessons on teaching methods. Similar programs can be found at several language schools, such as Innes, Actilingua, and Deutsch in Graz. (7 hours/week)

Study & Live in Your Teacher's Home. Under the Home Language International program, students live in the house of their teacher, learn the language during individual lessons, and continue to practice it during joint meals, walks, and everyday communication. You can also find German courses for professionals in various fields: tourism, medicine, aviation, business, and architecture. In this case, the program selects a teacher who has experience in teaching a specialized language, but who will not be an expert in the chosen field.

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Language courses at Austrian universities

Foundation Program. These are courses that fill gaps in knowledge and prepare for entrance exams to universities: mathematics, English, chemistry, biology, and also German. An example of such a program is Vorstudienlehrgänge. The programs enroll students who have already been accepted to one of the 6 partner universities of the program^[4], but still need to improve their language level and prepare for the entrance exams. For admission, you need to have an A2 level of language proficiency.

Language courses. Language centers at universities offer courses for everyone aged 16 and over. For admission, universities do not put forward any special requirements — you just need to pass a language level assessment. Classes usually begin each semester or trimester and last 9-12 weeks. In Austria, several universities offer such courses, such as the University of Vienna and the University of Innsbruck.

Seasonal courses. You can sign up for these courses at certain times of the year, the most common being the winter and summer. These courses differ from the usual ones only in duration — 4 weeks. Universities can also provide a room in a student hostel for the duration of the course. The cost of living is 1,201 USD for 4 weeks.

Features of admission at Austrian language schools

Austrian language schools teach Standard German (Standarddeutsch), the common language used in media, politics, and education in Germany. However, a student in Austria will come across so-called Austrian German — in this variant of the language, the vocabulary, pronunciation and some grammar differ from Standard German. This can make it harder for you to understand the speech of locals.

Admission to a language school in Austria is not much different from the process in Germany. To enroll, you need to:

• Fill out a application on the site or send it by e-mail
• Pay a deposit when applying
• Pass a written language test
• Pass an oral interviewOptional, for an additional assessment of the language level
• Receive booking confirmation
• Pay the rest of the course fee at least 30 days before the start of the course

The main difference from enrollment in Germany is the deposit. It is like a registration fee, but the amount of the deposit is deducted from the cost of the course.

Before entering, many schools advise you to take an online test and determine your language level. This is not a mandatory requirement, but it is better to fulfill it. Otherwise, you will have to take the test upon arrival and miss the first day of class.

Application dates depend on the school — some set fixed start and end dates for the course, while others allow you to start studying at any convenient time during the year. Therefore, the conditions for admission should be clarified on the website of the selected language center.

When choosing a school, you need to look carefully for information on accreditation. In order to be issued a visa for the course, the center must meet all state standards.

If your visa is denied or you decide to cancel your course for other reasons, the school may withhold part of the payment. The amount depends on the conditions that are described in the contract, such as the number of days before the start of the course and the reason for cancellation.

Studying in an Austrian language course

Upon arrival, students take a German proficiency test (if they did not take it online when applying). This allows schools to form a group of people with the same level of German proficiency. On the first day, students receive study materials and get acquainted with the schedule.

Standard programs are focused on developing conversational skills: students learn to conduct a dialogue, request information, and respond to statements. Attention is also paid to grammar and the study of new words, but new language rules and vocabulary must be worked out in practice.

Accommodation options while studying in Austria

Accommodation is not included in the course fee, except for those under 16 years old. However, schools provide places in residences and help with finding apartments.

Additional expenses

Check the school website for additional costs.

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Visa for language courses in Austria

Depending on the duration of study, a student can apply for one of the following visas:

• Schengen tourist category C visa — allows you to stay in EU countries for no more than 90 days.
• National category D visa — issued for a period of 3 to 6 months, but can be extended while in Austria.

Consideration of the application usually does not exceed 15 days. However, the embassy may require additional reviews, so it is best to apply for a visa at least one month before the trip.

Required documents:

• Completed application
• Passport
• 2 photosNot older than 3 months
• Proof of financial solvencyAround 1,073 USD/month
• Flight booking confirmation
• Accommodation confirmation
• Medical insuranceAmount of insurance coverage not less than 32,177 USD
• Invitation letter from the language school

Additionally for underage students:

• Notarized consent of the guardian to travel abroad
• Birth certificate

All documents must be translated into German and notarized.

Most popular language schools in Austria

ActiLingua

ActiLingua is a school with three centers in Vienna. There are programs for adults and teenagers from 12 years old. Students can choose courses of different intensities (10-35 hours per week) and durations (from 1 to 52 weeks). In addition to standard programs, the school offers unique programs:

• German and Music
• University preparation
• German in the City
• German for adults 50+
• German and winter sports

The course fees include lessons, teaching materialsIssued during the course, and five extracurricular activities per week: lectures, walks around the city, sports, or master classes. The school provides accommodation and meals for an additional feeApplies to students over 16 years of age. The average cost is 483 USD/weekWithout accommodation. After сompleting the course, students can take an exam for knowledge of Austrian German (Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch).

Humboldt-Institut

This is an international network of German language schools. One of its centers is located in Vienna. The school offers a summer program for teenagers from 15 to 18 years old for different language levels (A1-B2). A peculiarity of the program lies in the fact that students live in a guest house in Vienna, but are taken on a ship that runs along Donauinsel Island. The cost of the course covers lessons, accommodation, meals, entertainment, and excursions. The duration is from 2 to 4 weeks, and the cost is 1,239 USD/weekAccommodation and meals are included.

DID deutsch-institut

The language centers of this network are scattered throughout Germany, but one is located in Vienna. Here, teenagers (14-17 years old) can improve their German in the summer. The duration of the course is from 2 weeks to 3 months (June, July, August). Accommodation, as well as extracurricular activities, are included in the price. The average cost for 2 weeks is 1,770 USD.

Best cities to learn German in Austria

Calling Austria an ideal option for learning German is difficult due to the small selection of language schools. In addition, there are many lexical differences between the Austrian dialect and common German. For example, the word for "pear" in Germany sounds like Pflaume, but in Austria you are more likely to hear Zwetschge.

However, if your goal is to combine your holidays with language learning, then Austria, with breathtaking mountain landscapes and small alpine towns, is an excellent choice.

Vienna

Vienna is the capital of Austria and the country's only city with a population of over a million. It attracts tourists with majestic palaces, huge parks, and an 18th century atmosphere. Every winter, the ball dance season takes place here — more than 400 events are organized in the iconic places of the city: the Vienna State Opera, the Hofburg (Imperial Palace), and the Vienna City Hall.

Graz

The historic center of Graz is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fine examples of Baroque architecture have been preserved here: Haus am Luegg and Renaissance buildings: Landhaus and Rathaus. The building of the Kunsthaus serves as a contrast against the background of the city’s classical architecture, often hosting temporary exhibitions.

Salzburg

The city is known both for its architecture and its rich musical heritage: Salzburg is the birthplace of the most famous composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The composer's family home is open as a museum, and every summer the Haus für Mozart and Festspielhaus host the Salzburg Festival, which includes classical music concerts and theatrical performances.

Innsbruck

Innsbruck is known as one of the most popular ski resorts in Austria, boasting six zones with a large selection of various routes. There is an unusual funicular that delivers skiers from the very center of the city to the Nordkette — one of the most difficult routes.