The German language promotion in schools is set to be massively expanded through a personnel offensive. The corresponding measures were approved by the government on Wednesday through a circulation vote. The current 577 positions dedicated to German language promotion will be increased to over 1,324. Additionally, aspiring teachers will be required to complete training in “German as a foreign language.”
Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS) stated in a press release that the decision was a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to improve education. In addition to the personnel offensive, further specific steps will be taken to enhance the quality of German language promotion.
Mandatory Training in German as a Foreign Language:
The new curricula for teacher training will now include a “mandatory offering” in German as a foreign language (DaF) or German as a second language (DaZ), amounting to six ECTS credits. Furthermore, it will be a legal requirement for universities to implement a focus on “German as a second language and linguistic education” within primary education teaching programs.
The country is not starting from scratch. According to the Ministry of Education, nearly 17,000 teachers have participated in DaF/DaZ further education since the 2022/23 school year. By March, a total of about 400 lateral entrants had been certified in German, with around 200 more in German as a second/foreign language. This has created a pool of approximately 600 lateral entrants specifically trained in German language promotion.
62 Million Additional Investment:
Resources for German language promotion will be significantly increased. An additional 62 million euros annually, bringing the total to 108 million euros, will be invested in the successful acquisition of the German language. Based on the number of extraordinary students this school year, the 577 positions currently dedicated to German language promotion will be increased to over 1,324, representing an increase of 747 positions, or 130%.
The distribution of positions among the federal states will be based on need. Vienna will see the largest increase in absolute numbers, with an additional 290 positions (totaling 521). In percentage terms, Upper Austria will experience the strongest growth, with an increase of 159 positions (totaling 237), representing a 203% increase.
