Deputy Mayor Emmerling & Standard editorial staff visit Wiener Sommerdeutschkurse
There's a lot going on at the Wiener Sommerdeutschkurse! Not only are thousands of children eagerly learning German – decision-makers and the media are also showing interest and want to see for themselves!
On August 7, Deputy Mayor and City Councilor for Education Bettina Emmerling visited the FMS/PTS Vienna 20 campus and was enthusiastic: "German is the key to a successful educational career – and to integration. Every child should have sufficient German skills. That's why we are placing a clear focus on more language support – especially for new schoolchildren to ensure a good start to their first year of school. Overall, this year has confirmed once again: Wiener Sommerdeutschkurse are a valuable offering that not only strengthens children's language skills but also awakens their joy in learning."
In addition to the deputy mayor, we were also visited by a journalist from the Standard, who published the article “Poor German: How children should catch up on language deficits in the summer“ about the Wiener Sommerdeutschkurse.
And the first results of this year’s courses are already impressive:
With a total of 3,312 course places, there are currently 2,814 registrations (as of July 29, 2025). This corresponds to a total capacity utilization of 85%, with the German courses at 89% and the courses for school newcomers at 100% utilization.
These courses fro school newcomers, offered for the first time this year, are enjoying great popularity – the youngest participants have responded enthusiastically to the program designed specifically for them and are very motivated to take part in the language learning activities.
Photos: © City of Vienna/Markus Wache
More articles
One year of StartWien Hub: Integration work of tomorrow
Following a successful first year as a pilot project, Interface Wien's StartWien Hub demonstrates how integration in Vienna can succeed today and tomorrow: holistically, in a coordinated manner, and closely aligned with the real-life situations of newly arrived immigrants and families. This innovative model is made possible by funding from the City of Vienna – Municipal Department for Integration and Diversity (MA 17).
During the visit of Deputy Mayor Bettina Emmerling and the head of the Department for Integration and Diversity of the City of Vienna, Theodora Manolakos, this all-in-one approach became immediately tangible.
„Schriftlos heißt nicht sprachlos“ – Voices that become visible
In the newly published edition of „Schriftlos heißt nicht sprachlos – Meisterstücke“, young people from the project Basisbildung Interface Wien are once again contributing as authors.
Successful skills assessment: 23 young people start the compulsory school leaving certificate course
Tomorrow is Human Rights Day. Education is a human right, and young people in the Interface Wien project Basisbildung are demonstrating what becomes possible when this right is put into practice. For 24 young people and young adults between the ages of 16 and 24, it was an important step: they took the skills assessment – a written test in German, mathematics, and English that qualifies them for entry into the compulsory school leaving certificate course.