LEARNING GERMAN IN VILLACH

How are you feeling about your German language ability these days? Frustrated with how hard it is? With all the articles, genders, and declinations many people find German a difficult language to learn - so you’re not alone if you’ve been struggling! On the other hand, maybe you feel like you have a solid base and are looking for more speaking opportunities or classes to give you a boost so you can get even better. Or maybe you’re somewhere in between, motivated some days and super frustrated on others? Either way, this is the post for you if you’re looking for opportunities to improve your German - or your Austrian! :)

CLASSES

There are many options for taking German classes (and other languages!) in and around Villach, depending on what you’re looking for. Here are some of the more well-known options to get you started on your search to find the right kind of class for you:

• Carinthian International Center (CIC) - Several different German classes depending on your language ability and interest; their language trainers also offer private lessons.
   
• Wifi Carinthia and the Volkshochschule (VHS), two well-known adult education centers, offer a multitude of German classes at different levels throughout the province, including many in Villach. And if you book a VHS class, don’t forget to check whether you’re eligible to receive a €100-€150 voucher for the class from the Austrian Chamber of Labour (Arbeiterkammer)!
   
• If you want a more academic setting, the Deutsch in Österreich language center at the University of Klagenfurt offers intensive classes, summer classes, semester-long classes, university prep classes, integration (ÖIF) classes, and more, which you can take even if you are not otherwise a student at the university. There is also a discount for CIC members.
   
• Speaking of German classes to fulfill immigration requirements for the ÖIF (Austrian Integration Fund), you can also check out those offered by Mein Sprachportal, PIVA, and Platform Migration.
   
• If you’re interested in studying at the University of Applied Sciences (FH Villach), their Management Language Center offers a variety of language classes, including German as a foreign language.
   
• Several private language schools also offer various German courses that might fit your needs, including Delfin Deutsch Institut and Sprachkurse Villach.
   
• Looking for German lessons for children? The CIC offers classes for kids to help them keep up with things at school while learning the language.

LANGUAGE SWAPS/EXCHANGES

Have you heard of language swaps or exchanges? This is a flexible and fun (and usually free!) way to improve your speaking ability in a language you are learning. It works like this: you and your partner speak your native language for half an hour and then switch and speak your partner’s language together for half an hour. The CIC is one place to go to for help finding a partner for a language swap, and there are also a couple options for language swaps out of Klagenfurt, including the Language Exchange and Klagenfurt University’s student announcement board.

For those who would like to practice speaking German and Spanish or German and Italian, the CIC’s Spanish-German or Italian-German Language Ateliers are a great choice for a language swap in a group setting.

You’ve probably heard this before but it really is true - when you go abroad, learning the local language is helpful for all kinds of reasons and really can improve your life as an expat. Learning the language can increase your job opportunities, give you more chances to meet locals and learn about local customs and history, help you adjust to and fully embrace life here - and it’s even good for your brain!

Hopefully this post has helped you in your search for the right language class for your situation. Do you know of any other interesting institutes or options? If so, be sure to let us know in the comments on our Villach in English Facebook page!