German Courses – Integration (ÖIF)

Integration Courses (ÖIF)

To attend this course, you need a voucher from the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF). It is issued by the authority with which you signed the integration agreement.

General Information

Attention: The following information does not constitute a legal information!

“German in Austria” is a certified course provider of the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF). On its behalf, we offer integration courses for people (third-country nationals) who

  • received a residence permit for the first time after 1 October 2017 (see Module 1) and/or
  • who wish to apply for a “permanent EU residence” permit (see Module 2).

Our integration courses are only offered at specific dates (see registration). They are – as all our courses – guided by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). If you do not yet have the necessary language skills to successfully complete an integration exam, you can receive preparation through intensive courses (as integration courses) at our Language Center.

Module 1 of the Integration Agreement

Persons (third-country nationals) who signed the 2017 Integration Agreement undertake, in accordance with the Integration Law, to fulfill Module 1 of the Integration Agreement within two years of first receiving the residence permit. Module 1 aims at a knowledge of German for elementary language use, corresponding to a language level of A2. Module 1 of the Integration Agreement, which contains not only language content (speaking, writing, listening, reading) but also values ​​and civic knowledge (Federal Constitution, Citizenship Act, etc.), will be completed in the course of the integration examination for this module.

Module 2 of the Integration Agreement

Persons (third-country nationals) wishing to apply for the residence permit “EU permanent residence” must have completed Module 2 of the Integration Agreement before applying. Module 2 aims at independent language use, which corresponds to the language level B1. Module 2, which contains not only language content (speaking, writing, listening, reading) but also values ​​and civic knowledge (Federal Constitution, Citizenship Act, etc.), will be completed in the course of the integration examination for this module.

Division into sub-levels "/a" and "/b"

The language levels of our courses are based on the European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​(CEFR) – however (this mainly serves to determine the students’ performance), are divided into sub-levels (“/a” = introduction stage and “/ b” = consolidation stage). Please note, there is not automatically offered a class for every single sub-level! Only if the maximum number of participants per level is exceeded, students will be assigned to an either “/a” or “/b” class.

Financial Support (Blue Federal Voucher)

Please note that the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) only supports courses at language level A2. There is an exception for courses at language levels A0 and A1: These courses are funded, if after the completion of A1 at least one course at language level A2 is taken. Attention: The course costs will only be reimbursed if you have attended at least 75% and the required integration test has been successfully passed. Please pay attention to the conditions stated on your Blue Federal Voucher.

14 Participants

The max. size of class is 14 participants. However, in most cases the number of participants is lower.

From the age of 17.

Our courses are open to anybody from the age of 17.

Course Length: 2 – 9 weeks

The standard (and most frequently booked) course length is 3 weeks. However, 2 weeks, as well as extended courses with a min. of 5 weeks, are also possible.

Timetable

Our integration courses are designed as an intensive program and comprise 24 teaching units (TU) with 45 minutes each per week.

The timetable as shown below is binding. Morning and afternoon classes cannot be taken separately. Make sure to have a minimum attendance of 75 % as this, in addition to active participation and taking the interim and final tests, is prerequisite for receiving a final certificate at the end of the course.

Monday

09:00 – 12:30 (4 TU)

Tuesday

09:00 – 12:30 (4 TU)

13:30 – 15:00 (2 TU)

Wednesday

09:00 – 12:30 (4 TU)

Thursday

09:00 – 12:30 (4 TU)

13:30 – 15:00 (2 TU)

Friday

09:00 – 12:30 (4 TU)

Course Contents

In language classes with communicative teaching and individual support, you’ll practice the four language skills (speaking, writing, listening and reading) based on current topics and authentic texts. In addition to lexicology and grammar, phonetics lessons are held to the extent of at least 2 teaching units per week and are carried out by our team of specially trained speech trainers. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, afternoon classes are project-oriented at certain levels. The current language level of our participants is of course constantly checked.

An additional content of the integration courses is the imparting of values ​​and orientation knowledge. This knowledge encompasses the following subject areas: general knowledge of Austria, education and language, the world of work and economy, health, housing and neighborhood, principles of living together (legal integration) and diversity of living together (cultural integration).

A word about the teaching and working language German: multilingualism and linguistic diversity is becoming increasingly important and is of course of great importance to us. Imagine taking a German course in Italy as an Italian: the teacher will explain to you and your colleagues every now and then in your mother tongue and that’s perfectly fine. The participants in our classes, on the other hand, are multinational. It is not uncommon for up to 10 different languages ​​to meet in a class. The use of e.g. English as lingua franca might help some, but wouldn’t be helpful for others who don’t speak Italian. The students’ native tongue as a “bridge language” is only used (if at all) in exceptional cases.

A rich supporting program is available to our course participants during the summer courses. Participation is of course voluntary, but it is recommended, especially when it comes to cultural activities. You can find further information on the page leisure activities and cultural programs.

Final Certificate

If you successfully attend an integration course, you will receive a course completion certificate that contains the following information:

  • Course duration (from / to)
  • Number of teaching units (TU)
  • Course level at which the course was held
  • Individual assessment of the language skills speaking, writing, listening and reading (please note, that an individual assessment of language skills only takes place if you attend a course of at least 3 weeks. Certificates for 2-week courses only show the overall grade.)
  • Overall grade according to the following grading scale: 1 = very good, 2 = good, 3 = satisfactory, 4 = sufficient, 5 = not sufficient.

The prerequisite for receiving a course certificate is an attendance of at least 75%, regular participation and passing the interim and final exams. If there are too many missing hours or other reasons that prevent a course certificate from being issued, on request, we will provide you with a confirmation of participation. Attention: To get a positive overall grade it is a prerequisite that all four language skills (speaking, writing, listening and reading) are assessed positively. If an individual skill has to be assessed negatively, this automatically leads to a negative overall grade.

German Online Test

Our online test gives you an idea on which language level you are currently at and which course level is suitable for you. You just have to register for the German test in Moodle, take the test and submit it. You will receive the result immediately afterwards.

Attention: The online test does not replace the placement test before the start of the course. It serves only as an aid in self-assessment of your language level. The placement test, which we take at the language center and which all participants (with the exception of absolute beginners) must pass, also contains an oral part that is essential for the final determination of the language level.

Curious? Then let’s get started!

Dates, Prices + Registration

For a valid registration, an official photo ID (e.g. passport), a current residency certification and the presentation of your “Blue Federal Voucher” are required. You will have to upload these documents at the end of the online registration process.

Please note that the final registration deadlines are four days before the beginning of the courses. It is possible, however, that some courses are fully booked before the deadline: We recommend to register at least two weeks before the beginning of the courses.

The starting dates of the courses are obligatory because placement tests are carried out on the first course day, based on which the allocation to classes is made. Please note that the result of the placement test ultimately decides to which group you will be assigned. It is therefore possible that your personal language level is higher than that supported by the ÖIF and that in such a case you cannot redeem the ÖIF voucher.