ADRA Austria focuses on providing German language classes to Ukrainian refugees

The doors of the ADRA Austria’s social center in Vienna are opened to refugees wanting to learn the German language. From Sunday to Thursday the classes are taking place from 8 am until 8 pm. Almost 500 refugees from Ukraine have already registered, and 90 were able to start German lessons at the end of March. These days, the second round of courses has started, providing refugees with well-needed language skills to quickly gain a foothold in the Austrian labor market.

Since integration always begins with the language, ADRA Austria has expanded the range of its German language courses. There is a long waiting list to start the course because the need is huge. They offer German language courses from levels A1 – B2.

ADRA Austria also organized a successful crowdfunding action to help raise funds for their language classes, securing additional 28 places in the course. Donators recognized the importance of helping people to integrate into society and the labor market.

ADRA Austria has many years of experience in German courses for migrants and supports them in their job search. In some cases, where they have fitting contacts, ADRA Austria tries to arrange job interviews with companies for successful students with fitting education/job profiles. 

German language groups exist also in several other churches across Austria. The SDA church in Linz is operating a welcome-apartment, where arriving refugees can stay for a few days on transit towards mostly Germany or to more permanent accommodation in Austria. Other churches have also accommodated refugees.