Conflict Over German Courses in Vienna Ignites

Vienna's City Councillor for Social Affairs, Peter Hacker (SPÖ), accuses Minister Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP) of not offering enough German courses. Since the Ministry of Integration has a monopoly on the courses, "we have a problem with learning German." Currently, 5,500 German courses are missing in Vienna, Hacker criticized on Thursday in "Krone" and "Heute". The ministry rejected the criticism. The offer is large, Vienna must do more against the refusal of German courses.

Hacker identifies "Problem with Learning German" in Vienna

He still pays for the courses with Viennese tax money, but now Plakolm is responsible for the offer, criticized Hacker. She constantly finds excuses for why it all doesn't work. "She cannot afford the luxury of being responsible for something and delivering such a poor performance."

Since 2017, German courses have only been offered nationwide through the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF), a fund of the Republic of Austria. Previously, there were also offers from the states, which are now missing, according to the city councilor's office in response to an APA inquiry.

One Third of Those Registered in July Did Not Attend the Course

Currently, 57 percent of all course places are allocated to Vienna, and this year alone, 20,000 course places have already been utilized in Vienna, according to the ministry. Currently, 600 courses with 8,000 participants are running, and if needed, there will be several hundred free places available in the coming weeks.

However, by July 2025, every third seat in a German course in Vienna remained empty. There are already possibilities to sanction those who refuse to attend German courses, it was emphasized. "Vienna could use this instrument more strictly like other federal states and thus ensure more commitment among course participants."

ÖIF Finds Criticism "Incomprehensible"

The ÖIF also described Hacker's criticism as "absolutely incomprehensible." Despite repeated requests, the Integration Fund has not been provided with a single specific case by the city council in which an eligible person did not receive a place in a German course. The fact is that every eligible person is offered a suitable German course place by the ÖIF within a short time throughout Austria, it was emphasized in a statement to the APA. The offer of German courses for refugees is larger than ever, and the offer in the region is based on the specific demand. Anyone who drops out of a course without a valid reason loses the right to another course place at this level. In Vienna alone, over 11,000 people have unexcusedly dropped out of a German course with the ÖIF on behalf of the AMS since 2023.

Hacker wants to "pass the buck for his own failure" to the Minister of Integration, ÖVP General Secretary Nico Marchetti meanwhile fumed. The supply of places for German courses far exceeds the demand, he also emphasized in a statement. It must be the goal of every immigrant to become independent of state benefits as quickly as possible and to support themselves and their family through work. "As the People's Party, we will continue our strict course and consistently insist that immigrants fulfill their duty to integrate into our society."

Unemployed Refugees Often Have Poor German Skills

AMS head Johannes Kopf sees room for improvement in the courses themselves, as according to a survey by the Public Employment Service, three out of ten registered unemployed refugees can hardly speak German even after a year and a half. "In the process," improvements can certainly be made here, Kopf said in the Ö1 "Midday Journal." He reported criticism that trainers would not show up or of long waiting times, and discussions are ongoing with the ÖIF. In rural areas, it is sometimes not so easy to offer courses on site. There is very good experience with offers where German courses and professional qualification are combined, so that what is learned can be applied immediately. "You can't just learn German all day."

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.