About Austria
Austria is located in Central Europe and is a parliamentary representative democracy and the only country that has declared permanent neutrality in its constitution. Austria is a member of the United Nations and the European Union. Ninety-one percent of the population is Austrian with the national language being German. Austrian culture is influenced heavily by the German culture and also Hungary, Italy, and Bohemia.
A stunning mountainous region of forests and green slopes to glaciers and rocks, Austria is one of Europe’s most popular winter sports venues. The country boasts the immense Austrian Alps, which comprise approximately 60 percent of the country’s surface area. The winter sports enthusiast and adventure seeker can indulge in the many outdoor activities, which Austria provides, including the prestigious international ski competitions which the country hosts every year. Other sports enjoyed here are tobogganing, sleigh rides, curling or skating.
Austria is a great place for outdoor adventurers. It provides many activities such as skiing, snowboarding, hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking. During the summer months when the snow has melted, Austria’s visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, mountain climbing, and hang-gliding. Although Austria is mostly associated with beer, Austrian wine and cuisine are now stealing the show.
From its majestic snow-capped peaks to its year round array of earthly splendor, Austria is a must for the avid world traveler, wine connoisseur and gourmet food enthusiast.
What Languages Are Spoken in Austria?
The national language of Austria is German which, in its standard variety, differs from the German used in Germany in many words and phrases and – most importantly – in pronunciation and accent. In addition, a few additional languages locally have some official status (e.g., Slovenian in Carinthia, Croatian and Hungarian in Burgenland).
In everyday life, most Austrians do not speak standard language, but some local dialect. Most Austrian dialects are related to the Bavarian dialect, but quite distinct from the German of the rest of Germany. In the Bundesland of Vorarlberg the dialect is related to the alemannic dialect of Switzerland.
English, however, is widely spoken, and the only area most tourists have linguistic problems with is translating food. Even competent German speakers may find that they are replied to in English, and it is not uncommon to hear Austrians addressing each other in English. In parts of Vienna, with many foreign visitors, such languages as Italian and French will often be understood as well. Italian is also widespread in those Austrian regions bordering Italy.
In rural places many people don’t speak English well, especially those older than 40, so a learning a few basic German phrases can be helpful. Local accents can be very strong in many alpine valleys where even native German-speaking tourists have trouble understanding the locals. Also in Austria saying Good day is not Guten Tag as it is in most of Germany, but rather Grüß Gott (ü being a letter somewhere in between u and e; ß being a sharp s, with the pronunciation being similar to goose goat) is used (as well as Bavaria in Germany).
Popular Places to Study
Cities and Regions:
- Vienna
- Salzburg
- The Alps
Courses
Standard German Courses in Austria
Actilingua Academy for adults 16 + years: Our school is located in the heart of Vienna and caters for adult learners. It is open all year and equipped with the latest in educational technology like a multi-media library where you can watch videos, listen to language cassettes or work on the computer.
Intensive German Courses in Austria
You study four lessons general German (standard course) and you are involved an additional two lessons a day in small groups whereby the teacher can specifically focus on your individual needs and problem areas. This course is ideally suited to anybody wanting to make rapid progress in short time.
Super-intensive German Courses in Austria
Combination of group tuition (standard course) and individual tuition. Individual tuition caters for special learning needs and takes account of your vocational interests.
Individual German Tuition Courses in Austria
You define the content of your language course yourself, resulting in a maximization of input in the one-to-one sessions with your own teacher(s).
Freetime and Activities
Activities
Schools offer action packed programmes of afternoon and evening cultural and leisure activities present a many-sided view of Vienna and Austrian culture. And the best of it is that everything is included in the price. Some German courses features five lessons cultural programme a week. Schools also organize special talks, discussions and videos about Austrian music, art, literature, history and architecture. Films, tours of the many sights of Vienna, parties and sports all form part of this program.
City Walks
Teachers sometimes take students into Vienna to explore the city’s nooks and crannies. There is a wealth of new perspectives to be discovered off the beaten track. For instance, Thomas, our established history expert, takes students along the Ringstrasse. “We know it already!” many will say. But not what Thomas has to tell you. Very few Viennese know the history and stories about the State Opera, the Burggarten and Imperial Palace, the museums of fine art and natural history, parliament, the Burgtheater, City Hall, Vienna University, the Stock Exchange, the Ringturm, Urania, Stadtpark, the Hotel Imperial and the many other attractions along one of Vienna’s most important roads – the “Ring”. As its name implies, the boulevard encircles the city centre, separating the first district from Vienna’s other districts. Foot and tram are the best modes of transport for this tour. Tram lines “1” and “2” travel in opposite directions around the Ring, always in a circle. You simply hop on and off whenever you like.
Almost everybody knows St. Stephen’s Cathedral, at least to look at. But do you know the many tales and sagas surrounding this landmark in the heart of Vienna? For instance about the Zahnwehherrgott to whom the people went on pilgrimage to be healed of their toothache? Or about the Pummerin – the bell that rings in the new year on New Year’s Eve? Have you ever climbed up the tower and counted the steps? – Getting to the top is an unforgettable experience.
Around St. Stephen’s Cathedral there are also a lot of small alleys and corners that are almost impossible to find without help, for instance Blutgasse or the Deutsche Ordens Kirche hidden in a courtyard, or Schönlaterngasse with the “Basilisken”, a dragon-like monster that lived in a well and instilled fear among the Viennese. All this, and much more besides can be experienced on our free weekly city walks.
Accommodation in Austria
Schools make every effort to ensure that your stay is as pleasant as possible. Accommodation standards are regularly checked by us. We also receive feedback from all students after their stay. Your accommodation is reserved for you from 12 noon on the Sunday prior to the start of your course until the Saturday following the last day of your course. You have a choice of host family, apartment, student residence and hotel accommodation the whole year round.
Accommodation is an average of 10–20 minutes (max. 40 minutes) away from the school. The school can be easily reached by public transport.
Host families, apartment or student residence are available the whole year round.
Self-catering, breakfast only or halfboard (lunch mostly between 12 noon and 2 p.m., evening meal 6 to 8 p.m.).
You are issued with your own front door key upon payment of a refundable deposit of between ATS 800 and ATS 1,000 / EUR 58-73.
Weekly cleaning of your room and communal areas.
Bed linen is changed every 2 weeks.
Bed linen is provided, please bring your own towels.
Host family
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You stay with a host family in their home. The host families include young childless couples, others with children of school age, and older people whose children are already working and who now live alone. Accommodation in host families is definitely the best way of practising your German and getting to know Austria and its people outside the classroom.
Meals: You may choose between a substantial breakfast only or half board with a three-course lunch or evening meal.
Facilities: You have your own single or twin-bed room. You share the bathroom and the kitchen with your host family.
Student apartment
We recommend this type of accommodation if you are the independent type. You share a well maintained apartment with other course participants.
Meals: The use of kitchen is included in the price. The flat contains all the usual kitchen utensils and crockery.
Facilities: Single or double rooms with shared bathroom and kitchen. Most flats are also equipped with their own washing machine and TV.
Student residence
You have your own room in a favourably located student residence with rapid access to the city centre.
Meals: Some halls have a kitchen where you may use the hotplates and refrigerator free of charge – students must provide their own crockery and utensils. You can also choose between breakfast and halfboard.
Facilities: Most rooms have shower, WC and telephone.
Hotel
We will also gladly help you find a hotel near the school.
Learn German in Vienna
Vienna, also described as Europe’s cultural capital, is a metropolis with unique charm and flair. It boasts outstanding infrastructure, is clean and safe, and has all the inspiration you could wish for on a language course.
Facts: Vienna, the capital of Austria, 2 million inhabitants, is situated on the banks of the Danube. The influx of visitors from all over the world has made Vienna the most popular urban tourist destination in Austria.
A romantically imperial city: Vienna is a dream city for anyone with a romantic streak or an interest in history. Wander along narrow, medieval alleyways or across imperial squares, view Schönbrunn Palace or the Imperial Palace (Hofburg) in the footsteps of Sissi and Emperor Franz Josef, and marvel at the majestic architecture along the Ring boulevard. Be inspired by an atmosphere steeped in history – which also boasts the comforts and infrastructure of a modern city!
Music: Vienna has been synonymous with music for centuries, and was home to Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Johann Strauss. This outstanding musical heritage has been preserved right to the present day. The Wiener Philharmoniker is one of the world’s top orchestras, the Vienna Boys’ Choir is triumphantly successful wherever it tours, and the Vienna Conservatorium has produced innumerable international award-winners in all musical disciplines. Yet Vienna also boasts a lively scene for young people – if you love music, you are sure to profit from Vienna.
Art: Down the centuries, Vienna has always produced and nurtured world-famous artists. The collecting passion of art-loving rulers and monarchs has made Vienna a treasure house par excellence. The Museum of Fine Arts, for instance, is one of the world’s largest and most distinguished museums, housing priceless works of art. Art accompanies you wherever you go in Vienna – even some of its underground stations are listed properties (on account of their elegant, ornamental Jugendstil style designed by Otto Wagner)! And Vienna is also uniquely zestful as far as its literature is concerned. After all, where else in the world will you find a city with its own “coffee house literature”?
German School in Vienna
Actilingua Academy for adults 16 + years: Our school is located in the heart of Vienna and caters for adult learners. It is open all year and equipped with the latest in educational technology like a multi-media library where you can watch videos, listen to language cassettes or work on the computer.
Actilingua summer school for juniors:The summer school for young people from 12-18 years is located in the Vienna-Centre in the midst of a wonderful park. In our summer school we offer German course, residence, accommodation and an exciting cultural and leisure programme as well as 24 hours supervision by our highly qualified teachers
Actilingua is an examination centre for the Österreichisches Sprachdiplom OSD and for the European Language Certificates. After completion of an exam preparation course, you may enter for internationally recognized examinations.
World-wide recognition
Actilingua is recognized by the Austrian government and a member of the following major international organizations:
Our guarantees
- Money back guarantee: If services are not in accordance to the brochure or web site, please notify us in writing within the first week after arrival. Actilingua will rectify the situation within 3 working days. If services are still not in accordance with the brochure or web site description Actilingua will refund the price.
- German all year round for students at all levels. We teach standard German according to a recognized curriculum all year round, catering for students from beginner to advanced level.
- Small groups. The average class-size is 8 to a maximum of 12 students in standard course and 5 to a maximum of 8 in intensive course.
- Successful courses. Featuring holiday courses, intensive as well as semester and year courses. Course duration from one week to one year. Actilingua students enjoy a 95% pass rate in the Austrian German Language Diploma.
- Internationality. Our students come from more than 30 countries. Most are university students aged between 17 and 30 seeking to improve their German language skills and awareness of Austrian culture as a supplement to their academic studies. Others are already working, with ages ranging from 30 and upward.
- Highly qualified teachers. Our teachers see themselves as your friends and partners. They are native speakers of standard German, and they take genuine pleasure in working together with you. They are highly qualified, and their skills and knowledge are regularly upgraded at training courses held by Actilingua.
Complete Package
- 20/30 lessons German course per week (1 lesson = 45 minutes).
- 2-3 times per week (= 5 lessons) Culture and Leisure programme: Vienna guided tours, talks and videos about Austrian music, art, history, literature, party, Viennese Waltz course, sports.
- Accommodation as booked.
- Actilingua Certificate.
- Course books may be borrowed for the whole course. Books can be bought at a 50% discount from the school office.
- Use of computers, books, videos and magazines in the multimedia library.
- Free internet access.
- Monitoring service for all longterm students.
- Student service at the school office, Monday-Friday.
- Free receiving and sending of e-mails. Student manual with interesting tips on Vienna.
- Actilingua Card entitling holder to discounts at a number of museums, theatres, restaurants and shops.