German Language Courses in Salzburg The Summer Scene is More Than Music
By Volker Poelzl
What better place is there to study German than in a picturesque city in the heart of Europe with great language schools and exceptional recreational opportunities? Salzburg is not only the city of “The Sound of Music” and of Mozart; wherever you happen to stroll in Salzberg you are surrounded by historic buildings and cathedrals, not to mention some of the oldest breweries and beer gardens in Central Europe.
The “Sommer Szene,” a series of summer cultural events, feature performances of modern dance and music as an alternative to Salzberg’s famous classical music festival.
In fact, there is such a variety of cultural and recreational activities combined with German courses to choose from that potential students need to do some research before booking. How much instruction do you get for your money? How big are the classes? What is the teaching method? What learning materials are used?
Amadeus Ferienschule offers a 3-week summer German course for young people in a boarding school in the outskirts of Salzburg that combines 20 hours of weekly lessons with recreational activities in the afternoons. The sports program offers rafting, paragliding, canyoning, hiking, sailing, and more; the cultural program includes visits to the theater and the Salzburg Festival. Additional language instruction is available in an intensive afternoon program. Contact: Amadeus Ferienschule: Drei-faltigkeitsgasse 9, A-5020 Salzburg; 011-43-662-8822470 (summer). Postfach 51, A-1096 Vienna; 011-43-1-406-0566, fax 011-43-1-408185; amadeus@goto.at, www.amadeus.goto.at.
Berlitz School, in the city’s main historic thoroughfare, the Getreidegasse, uses the same materials and methods as in Berlitz schools worldwide. So you can easily begin a course in the U.S. and continue on a higher level in Austria or vice versa. Course packages are flexible but most include at least 20 lessons per week. Berlitz Salzburg also offers a pilot project that combines language learning with golf or tennis.
Contact: Berlitz Sprachschule Salzburg: Getreidegasse 21, A-5020 Salzburg; 001-43-662-849944, fax 001-43-662-849946; Salzburg@berlitz.at, www.berlitz.at.
Deutsch Studio, a small language school with highly individualized courses, compiles instructional materials individually for the student’s skill level and learning goals. Instruction is usually one-on-one and combined with cultural activities (theater, concerts, exhibits). Deutsch Studio offers preparation courses for the Österreichisches Sprachdiplom, the Austrian Language Diploma in German, an internationally recognized certification. Contact: Deutsch Studio Salzburg: Ernest-Thun-Straße 9, A-5020 Salzburg; Tel./fax 011-43-662-872682; sbgdeutsch@ salzburg.co.at, www.deutschstudio.com.
Inlingua, a 30-year-old language school from Switzerland, follows the same “Inlingua Direct Method,” with intensive use of support materials, in its 280 schools worldwide. Courses are flexible and depend on the students’ needs. Inlingua also offers referrals to hotels, guesthouses, and host families. Contact: Inlingua—International School of Languages: Linzer Gasse 17-19, A-5020 Salzburg; 001-43-662-871101, fax 001-43-662-87110185; inlinguasgb@fc.alpin.or.at.
Internationale Ferienkurse (IFK), a 50-year-old language school under the patronage of the Univ. of Salzburg, focuses on the cultural activities of the Salzburg Festival and exposure to local culture. IFK is accredited by Bowling Green State Univ., which awards four academic credits for a 60-hour course. Director Andrea Linecker also provides free German classes to refugees from Kosovo. Contact: IFK-Inernationale Ferienkurse und Collegium Austriacum: Postfach 120, A-5010 Salzburg; Tel./fax 001-43-662-849611; office@ifk-ca.ac.at, www.ifk-ca.ac.at/ifk-ca.
For More Information
Salzburg Information: Auerspergstrasse 7, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria; 011-43-662-889870, fax 011-43-662-889-8732;tourist@salzburginfo.at, www.salzburginfo.at.
Campus Austria is a membership organization of 21 German language schools in Austria. Contact: Prof. Kaserer Weg 333, A-3491 Straß im Straßertal (011-43-2735-21410, fax 011-43-2735-214114; info@campus-austria.at, www.campus-austria.at).
Certificate of Proficiency: Following international guidelines established by the European Council, the Austrian ministry for Education offers the “Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch.” For information contact: ÖSD, Althanstraße 7-9/10, 1090 Wien; 011-43-1-319-3395, fax 011-43-1-319-3396; osd@aon.at, www.members.aon.at/osd.
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VOLKER POELZL is the author of Culture Shock! Brazil and Culture Shock! Portugal. He has lived and traveled extensively in the Brazilian Amazon and is currently working on a book about this fascinating region. For questions about planning your Amazon trip contact him at volkerpoelzl@cox.net.
Visit his Wide World Cafe blog for lively and thought-provoking posts.
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