Vienna has long been known for its cultural and educational institutions. During the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, it was the musical capital of the world and the home of many famous composers, including Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert, Bruckner, Mahler, and Berg. Today, Vienna remains a city of strong musical heritage and is the seat of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Vienna State Opera, and the Music Conservatory.

Vienna is also a city of numerous museums and art galleries, including the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Art History), and outstanding schools and scientific organizations. Yet Vienna remains a relaxed and remarkably comfortable city.

The world-famous coffee houses allow visitors to relax over pastries topped with "Schlag" (whipped cream). Though Vienna may seem straight-laced and gracefully aloof, it frequently lets its longhair tradition down-and nowhere as freely as at the Heuriger in Grinzing, or in the "Bermuda Triangle", in mid-city.

Located on the banks of the Danube, Vienna has over 2 million inhabitants, boasts an outstanding infrastructure, is clean and very safe. The city is a dream city for anyone with a romantic streak or an interest in history. Wander along narrow, medieval alleyways or across imperial squares, view Schönbrunn Palace or the Imperial Palace (Hofburg) in the footsteps of Sissi and Emperor Franz Josef, and marvel at the majestic architecture along the Ring boulevard.

It is also a city for art lovers and the Museum of Fine Arts, for instance, is one of the world's largest and most distinguished museums, housing priceless works of art.

Vienna boasts one of the world's most famous culinary traditions. A diverse yet delectably harmonious range of dishes reflects the city's mix of nationalities and food cultures down the centuries, and inspires visitors from all over the globe. Vienna has been described as Europe's cultural capital, it is a metropolis with unique charm and flair, making it the perfect place to learn not just the language but culture of the country.

It is the participant's responsibility to have a valid passport and any necessary visas and permits to study abroad. Visit G3Visas for comprehensive information on visa, passport, permit and general country entry requirements.

Vienna has a international airport which is located 18km southeast of the city.
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Hofburg Palace
Kunsthistorisches Museum
Schatzkammer (Treasury)
Sigmund Freud Museum
Uhrenmuseum der Stadt Wien (clock museum)
Kapuzinerkirche und Kaisergruft (Imperial Crypt)
Belvedere Palace
St. Stephen's Cathedral
Spanish Riding School
Vienna Woods
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Our school and annex were established in 1988 and are located in a grand building in the heart of Vienna near to the Belvedere Palace. The school has gained a worldwide reputation as a private school with a successful range of courses, an ideal learning environment and modern teaching equipment.

The school facilities include bright classrooms, modern learning equipment, multimedia library, and videos. German is taught all year round for students at all levels according to a recognized curriculum. All teachers are native speakers of standard German, and they take genuine pleasure in working together with students.

Students come from more than 30 countries, most are university students aged between 18 and 35. A language certificate is provided at the end of the programs and course books may be borrowed for the whole course. (Books can be bought at a 50% discount from the school office). Students aged 16 years and older are allowed to attend the school, all students can receive and send e-mails.
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Standard: 4 Lessons daily (20 lessons per week) Max. 12 students per class.

Intensive: 5 Lessons daily (25 lessons per week) Max. 12 students per class.

Our programs cater for all language levels from absolute beginners to the more advanced, include the use of course materials and provide a variety of options to enhance your program. For more information please see Prices and Start Dates.

Each student will be expected to take a short placement test on the first Monday morning of the course (unless a complete beginner), to determine the students language level and ensure placement in the correct class. Lessons are usually held in the mornings, starting at 9 am, which leave the afternoons free for social or cultural activities, trips, workshops, short excursions or free time to relax or explore on your own.

The main emphasis is placed on improving your communication skills. Lessons in grammar and conversation help you with syntax and vocabulary building. Students practice formal and informal letter writing, and work on listening and reading comprehension. The school varies teaching methods in our German courses as much as possible. Since every group is different, our teachers take a specific approach to each group and they will adapt their teaching methods to meet the students' particular needs.For more information, please see the Course Outline link.

After classes are over for the day, our program allows you plenty of time to discover your new country, culture, traditions, customs and everyday life. Our optional cultural and social activities allow you to make new friends among your new international classmates, experience cultural and social activities together, and also practice your new language skills in real life situations. In some cases, a small additional fee will be charged to cover local transport and entrance costs.

Some of the typical cultural opportunities could include:
City walks: Teachers take students into Vienna to explore the city's nooks and crannies.

Lectures: on history, art, literature and politics give deep insight into Austrian and German language culture.

Video evenings: our school possesses a wide and varied "videotheque" featuring nearly all major German language films.

Viennese Waltz: a visit to Vienna is incomplete without having tried the Viennese Waltz, the schools dancing teacher shows dancing fans how to glide during the ball season in January and February.

Sport: Depending on the time of year, the sports enthusiasts among the teachers organize various matches and games.

In the winter months the program includes squash, tennis, badminton, ice-skating and, at the weekend, even skiing. In the summer there are football and volleyball matches on the Danube Island or at the Vienna Prater, cycling, pedal trips on the Old Danube, weekend swimming trips to Lake Neusiedl and, of course, the popular "Olympic Games" where the different school nationalities compete against each other in various sporting disciplines.

At the weekend many students can arrange to take optional excursions to local cities or local places of interest. These excursions are slightly more expensive than the daily activities ($10-$40), as they are normally full day or full weekend excursions and could include (transport, meals entrance fees and even accommodation). If you are interested in sight-seeing by yourself or with other class mates, our school staff are more than willing to assist you with any questions you may have and help you book local travel or excursions.

Excursions could include: trips to Salzburg the "Mozart city"), Graz (the capital of Styria), Klosterneuburg (famous for its Babenberg heritage) and to the Wachau region of the Danube valley. Visit medieval castles, grottos and famous architectural monuments. In the summer there is the chance to go swimming at Lake Neusiedl and savor Austrian wine at a wine tavern ("Heuriger").

NOTES: School is closed on all public holidays, private lessons and options can be added to any program, lessons normally last 50 minutes, you will be studying with students from around the world, lessons run from Monday - Friday, a language proficiency certificate is available at the end of the program. Please see the Program Info and Resource links, for additional information or please contact us.
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Host Family: (private room) breakfast or 2 meals daily.

Living with a host family is probably the best and most effective way to become fully immersed into the language and culture of your chosen country. All families are chosen after a careful selection procedure and are visited regularly by the school to ensure that high living standards are maintained. As many of our host families live in the surrounding neighborhoods, the trip to school, is usually not more than 15 to 30 minutes away.

Students have access to all living areas in the house and in most cases, will be expected to share the bathroom. All bed linens and pillows will be provided, however we suggest you bring your own towels. If your family does not provide a laundry service, they may allow you to use the laundry facilities for a small additional charge.

Staying in a family is a truly wonderful experience and many students make lifetime friends with their host family. However, you should also have realistic expectations and recognize that an element of flexibility is required to adjust to the local customs and way of life. Your host family may not have the same comforts as your own home but you will always be treated as a guest and free to come and go as you wish.

Self Catering Apartments: (private or shared room) no meals.

This is also a very popular option especially for those students looking for further independence. Our apartments are normally located within the same distance as the host families and are shared (with other international students studying at the school) so will be sharing with many other nationalities. Our apartments are co-ed, however rooms are shared with the same gender.

All apartments provide a well equipped kitchen (including cooking utensils), shared bathroom facilities and living areas. The apartments vary in size and number of bedrooms, depending on the location in the city but expect to share with 2 - 4 other students.

Apartments are self-catering, which means meals are not included and students provide their own groceries and prepare their own meals or eat out. In many cases the cooking becomes a social event in the apartment and a great way to chat and make new friends. Many students have theme nights, where they take turns to prepare a meal from their home country for the rest of the students.

For the duration of the stay in the apartment, you will be living among other students. You are expected to comply with the 'mutual' house rules. This means that common living areas must be kept clean and tidy at all times. All students have keys to the apartment and can come and go as they wish.

NOTES: Airport transfers to the accommodation may be included or available (at an additional cost, please check price page), the Sunday night accommodation before your course begins on Monday, is included. All meals will be local custom and meal times may be different to what you are used to, however you are not obligated to eat all your meals with the family, just notify them when you will not be returning to eat at home. Our families are diverse with young couples without children, couples with children (of all age groups) and older couples with grown children who are no longer at home. Extra nights are available at extra cost. Please see the Accommodation link for additional information.
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