Scientific expertise and a learning atmosphere characterized by enjoyment and enthusiasm guarantee the best teaching success.
We see ourselves as an institution associated with the university. Our quality policy is based on principles that meet the high standards of academic education and training. At the same time, we are not unbending in the application of these principles, but participate in the dynamics of this educational institution, dedicated to a movement “per aspera ad astra” – as its motto says. In particular, we support the internationalization efforts of the university through linguistic preparation and advisory support for foreign students and promote their cultural and linguistic integration. But the broader public striving for integration and/or language qualification also benefits from these foundations and deserves to be brought to a high level of language competence. Our goal is to motivate and train the language learners in such a way that they can realize their full potential.
These quality requirements can be met through the ongoing interrelationship between theory and practice. The theoretical input is ensured by our strong connection to the Institute of German Studies, where the fundamentals of linguistics and language didactics are studied and further developed. Graduates of these studies are introduced to practice through job shadowing.
This practice is represented by a pool of experienced language teachers. They are confronted with new findings from university research, can test them in practice and can provide feedback. On the other hand, new staff are made familiar with the experience of many years of teaching. Training and further education are thus intertwined. The aim and result of this interplay of theory and practice is professional training. Quality policy is always personnel policy. The quality of language teaching (and the concomitant elucidation of cultural practice) is inextricably linked to personnel development. The expertise of returning Austrian foreign lecturers is also a precious resource.
Quality assurance but also the setting of quality objectives is carried out by the organs of the association, in particular by the board. Members of the Institute for German Studies are strongly represented on this board. Coordination with the quality objectives and quality policy of the university is ensured by the Rectorate, which sends a member to this board.