A significant decline in the number of asylum seekers in German language courses
The registration rate for German language courses for refugees in Vorarlberg has sharply declined following the implementation of the new Codex Vorarlberg on October 1, which imposes penalties including reduced financial support for those who do not comply with integration plans.
Caritas offers free German courses to help refugees from countries like Somalia and Afghanistan learn the language and integrate into Austrian society. Many students face challenges: some have never attended a classroom before, while others struggle with grammar rules and sentence structure. Students complete 180 hours of lessons before taking the integration test, which can be stressful. Teacher Daniela Burgstaller encourages students by sharing previous success stories to help them overcome difficulties.
Linka Netzer, head of the education, work, and volunteering departments at Caritas, mentioned that the demand for courses this year has decreased significantly. In 2023, about 2,400 participants were registered, but the current number is much lower. With a sufficient number of teachers available, the organization can focus more on additional supportive courses.
Attendance is monitored closely: unexcused absences are officially recorded, allowing a maximum of two absences per participant. Caritas sends attendance and completion data to the local government every three months. Although official figures have not been available since the imposition of sanctions, previous non-compliance rates were low, not exceeding seven percent last year.
German language courses remain an essential part of the integration process, as success in the exam depends on the level of language proficiency. The local government continues to monitor the Codex Vorarlberg to assess its impact on refugee participation in the courses and the overall level of integration.