Austria tests the integration of refugees through innovative orientation classes.
Vienna and Vorarlberg schools are starting to implement a new pilot project aimed at integrating refugee children by creating special classes known as "orientation classes." Officials plan to expand this project soon to include all of Austria, as it seeks to prepare refugee children for a smooth integration into the formal education system.
In one of these classes in western Vienna, fourteen children from different nationalities are learning the basics of the German language and daily life in Austria. The class is led by a harmonious team consisting of the German language teacher "Constanze H." and the Arabic teacher "Dalal D." If the students encounter difficulties in understanding, the challenging points are briefly explained to them in Arabic.
Most of the children in these classes came with their families as part of a reunification program from Syria, after spending years in transit countries or refugee camps, and some of them have never set foot in a school before. Therefore, these classes have been designated for them to serve as a transitional station that gradually prepares them to join regular Austrian schools. So far, 520 children have enrolled in these classes in Vienna alone. This experience lasts for eight weeks, after which teachers decide whether the student is ready to transition to regular schools. Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr plans to extend the duration of the classes to six months, also including students who face difficulties in German language support classes.
The school hosting these classes is considered a successful model, according to its director "Elmar Keimel-Waldmann," explaining that children not only learn the language but also gain knowledge of social systems, transportation, and laws, becoming part of the community.
The collaboration between my classroom teacher is considered one of the secrets to success, as the Arabic teacher plays the role of a bridge between the students and the new environment, while the German teacher is responsible for teaching the language. Although the use of the mother tongue is allowed for asking questions, students are required to speak in German during lessons, preparing them for the next stage. This initiative has received widespread support from parents and the educational community and is seen as an effective step towards smoothly and systematically integrating refugee children into Austrian society.