| FAQs |
 GERMAN
COURSES FOR ADULTS 16+ |
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1. How old do I have
to be to be eligible for the High School Programme?
In order to be eligible for the ActiLingua High School Programme,
you have to be 16-18 years of age when starting school. It is possible
to start the preparatory German course earlier.
2. What is the minimum
level of German I should have to take part in this programme?
Ideally, your level of German competency is 'Intermediate'.
However, our compulsory 9 weeks German course prior to school attendance
will significantly improve your German proficiency. If you feel insecure
about attending high school in Austria it is a good idea to prolong
the preparatory German class or to choose an intensive course instead
of a standard course.
3. I do not have any
knowledge of German. How long should I attend a German course in
order to have enough knowledge of German to attend school?
For beginners, we recommend at least 36 weeks of a German course so
that they can easily follow instruction at school.
We only offer placement at an Austrian school in conjunction with
a German preparation course with a minimum duration of 9 weeks.
5. I intend to take the
school-leaving exam ('Matura') in Austria. What do I need to consider?
The school-leaving examination ("Matura") is especially important
if you intend to study at an Austrian or German university. Sound
knowledge of German as well as appropriate performance at school is
required in order to complete your school attendance with the Matura.
Only regular students can take the school-leaving examination, i.e.
you need to have attended and received grades for all compulsory subjects.
If you intend to take the Matura, you ought to start school in the
penultimate (eleventh) year. Most schools do not admit new students
into the final (twelfth) year.
6. What happens if I
don't know one of the languages required in Austrian schools?
Most Austrian secondary schools ("Gymnasium") teach two Modern languages
(English and French, occasionally English and Italian/ Spanish) and
Latin. If you wish to attend such a school but don't have any knowledge
of one of the required languages, you can still be admitted as a "guest
student". This means you attend the subjects in question but you do
not receive any grades for them. Another possibility is attending
a secondary school with a scientific bias ("Realgymnasium") or a secondary
school with a bias towards economic studies ("Wirtschaftskundliches
Realgymnasium"), often these schools do not teach Latin. Detailed
information on school types is available in the German and High School
Programme.
7. When can I start and
how long does the programme last?
Starting dates.
For high school there are two possibilities: You can take part in
a yearly programme (10 months) or a term programme (5 months). The
yearly programme starts at the beginning of September, the term programme
either at the beginning of September or February and the short term
programme you can start monthly all year round. In addition you should
register for a preparatory German course of at least 9 weeks duration.
Please note that Austrian schools have holidays from July until the
beginning of September.
8. Do I have first to
attend a German course and then begin at school or is it possible
to attend both at the same time?
Very good knowledge of German is a prerequisite for school attendance.
Therefore, you must attend the German course (standard
course or intensive
course) with a duration of at least 9 weeks first. After completion
of your German course, you will start school.
9. Can I take a break
between attending the German preparation course and school attendance?
Yes, it is possible to take a break between your German course and
school attendance. For example, you can take the German preparation
course in May, June and July and return for the start of school in
September.
10. Who are the other
participants in my German course?
As a participant in the ActiLingua High School Programme, you learn
German in small, international groups of young adults from all over
the world. Most ActiLingua students are between 17 and 30 years of
age. You will be assigned to the appropriate level of the course depending
on your knowlege of German.
11. Where will I live
during my German course? Can I choose my accommodation myself?
Depending on the availability, it is possible to choose from a variety
of accommodation options e.g. a host family, an apartment or a school
residence. Please inform us of your preference in the application
form.
12. What should I expect
from the telephone interview?
After your registration we will conduct a telephone interview with
you to ensure we have understood all your instructions correctly.
The interview covers the details on your registration form, in particular
your personal details, your previous knowledge of German and schooling
experience as well as your requirements concerning the Austrian school
and the accommodation type you wish for us to organise for you.
13. How is my High
School selected? Can I choose my school myself before registration?
Upon receiving your registration we select a suitable school for you
according to the instructions on your registration form and the telephone
interview. As soon as we locate a school that meets your requirements,
we will make you a detailed offer including all details about the
school, accommodation and costs. We also establish direct contact
with the headmaster of the school, who will conduct an interview with
you.
14. In which cities
can I attend a high school?
We cooperate mainly with schools in Vienna.
15. What kind of high
school will I attend, a state school or a public school?
After you have sent your application, we will contact a school that
meets your requirements. Depending on your requirements and availability,
it may be a state or public school.
16. Do I find out if
I will attend a private or public school prior to my arrival in
Vienna?
Yes. Upon receiving your registration form we will select a suitable
school for you according to the preferences on the registration form
and your telephone interview. As soon as we locate a school that meets
your requirements, we will make a detailed offer including all details
about the school, accommodation and costs. We also establish direct
contact with the headmaster of the school, who will have an interview
with you.
17. Are all public schools
free of charge?
Yes, all public schools in Austria are free of charge.
18. What if I do not
want to accept the offered school?
The success of our high school programme largely depends on you being
happy with the school you have chosen. After your registration we
will conduct a telephone interview to find out about your wishes and
aims. We will make a detailed offer which you can accept or not. If
you find the school that is offered to be unsuitable, we will search
for another. In the unlikely event, that we are unable to agree on
a high school we will refund all prior payments minus a EUR 100 administration
fee.
19. Do you guarantee
a placement at an Austrian school, if I book the programme?
We will try hard to find a suitable placement for you at an Austrian
school. We can't guarantee a placement, however.
20. What is the difference
between a regular student and a guest student?
To be a regular student, you need to have attended
and received grades in all compulsory subjects taught at the chosen
school. Most Austrian secondary schools ('Gymnasium') teach two
Modern languages (English and French or Italian) and Latin. If you
wish to attend a school where you have no knowledge of one of the
required languages (e.g. Latin), you can be admitted as a 'guest
student'. This means, you will attend classes in this subject, but
will not receive a grade. Of course, you will receive grades for
all other subjects undertaken. However, only regular students may
take the school-leaving exam ('Matura').
21. How much does it
cost to attend school without the German course?
The costs per month for the school, accommodation and full board are
variable, and depend on the school which is chosen according to your
application preferences. It ranges from EUR 1070-1200 per month. We
will be happy to make you an offer for the period after your German
course.
22. Which kind of accommodation
is included in the price of your German and High School Programme?
The price includes accommodation for the duration of your German course
with breakfast, half board or full board either with a carefully selected
host family, a well-maintained apartment or a school residence in
single or shared rooms.
23. What does the insurance
cover?
Further Information: insurance.
24. What does the price
quoted in your price list include?
The price as stated refers to the price of the German course at The
ActiLingua Academy with accommodation and the placement service for
a suitable high school. The overall price will depend upon the high
school itself and what they charge for tuition and accommodation.
A detailed description of the high school and its prices is, of course,
part of our service.
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