General Information

English as a key skill 

Why should your child choose this program at our school?  
Today, English is not just an additional foreign language, but a key skill for studying, working, and personal development. English opens up the world to your child. 

Language of Science, Business and International Cooperation  

English is the language of science. Most academic journals are published in English and many degree programmes, Bachelor's as well as Master's programmes in Austria and abroad are offered in English. International research is conducted and published almost exclusively in English. 

English is the language of business, which means that proficiency in English is a prerequisite in many industries ranging from IT, trade, technology to tourism. A good command of English expands career opportunities.  

English is the language of international cooperation. It is a working language of the EU, the United Nations and countless NGOs. European projects, exchange programmes and Erasmus initiatives are conducted in English. 

English is the language of digitalisation and culture. Films, podcasts and online media are often first available in English or are more widely distributed in English.  

Timely preparation for university and career   

Those who have already practised learning technical terms and content in English at school are well prepared for university and/or their career.  

We have been offering our programme with great success for 20 years and have a wealth of experience. Teachers who teach in the Bilingual Programme usually have either a university degree in English in addition to their subject-specific qualifications, have taught in English-speaking countries or have enjoyed a bilingual education themselves. Particular emphasis is placed on continuous professional development in the area of “Content and Language Integrated Learning” (CLIL). This is an approach in which subject content is specifically linked to the target language. In addition, “Native English-Speaking Teachers” are available for team teaching in several subjects. 

Combination of two degrees – dual qualification 

If your child seizes the opportunity to complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) in addition to the Austrian school leaving exam as part of the Bilingual Programme in the upper school, further opportunities open up:  

By combining the two curricula, your child will receive a dual qualification – AHS school leaving exam and IB Diploma. The two curricula complement each other and provide an excellent foundation for further academic training both in Austria and abroad. 

Is it also useful if my child plans to stay in Austria?  

Even if your child plans to continue their studies or career in Austria, the IB offers a decisive advantage: in-depth education in six subjects with specific technical terminology, experience in project work and scientific research, social engagement, practised argumentation and discussion skills, and a natural command of English. 

Our school has 50 spots available in bilingual classes per year group. Teaching follows the Austrian curriculum for secondary schools. 

Bilingual teaching begins in Grade 1: English is introduced step by step and increasingly used in individual subjects. After Grade 4, students are equipped to follow lessons taught entirely in English. 

For certain subjects, the minimum extent to which English is used as the language of instruction is clearly defined. In all other subjects the extent to which English is used can vary.  

In addition to preparing students for the Austria school leaving exam, we also offer the opportunity to complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) as part of our Bilingual Programme – one of only six public schools in Austria to do so. If your child has attended the lower school in the bilingual stream and has subsequently opted for our bilingual upper school, they can decide in Year 6 (December of Grade 10) to complete the IB Diploma in addition to the Austrian school leaving exam. 

Extensive experience – well-aligned curricula  

The Bilingual Programme in the upper school runs within the framework of school autonomy with a specially tailored timetable that allows for optimal adaptation to both curricula and qualifications. The number of tests in the Austrian curriculum is reduced.    

In addition, the third foreign language, which is taught from Grade 5 onwards, is completed one year earlier, at the end of Grade 7. The number of hours in which these foreign languages are taught still allows students to take the Austrian school-leaving exam. Furthermore, in the case of Latin, it is important to note that this “reduced form” still meets university requirements for medicine and law.  

Our students also have the opportunity to take other compulsory subjects and develop critical thinking skills, such as in the subject “Theory of Knowledge” (TOK).  

Expanded focus 

In the Bilingual Programme, the number of elective subjects is particularly high. At least seven hours are chosen from a wide range of IB courses according to the student's own interests. This allows for a stronger individual focus. 

For example, students who wish to study medicine can choose to focus on natural sciences, while others can specialise in computer science or economics.  

Early completion of the written Austrian school leaving exam in two subjects 

In the Bilingual Programme, the written school-leaving exam in mathematics and German is taken in January of the final school year. Foreign language proficiency is assessed exclusively as part of the IB exams in May of the final year. Pupils do not take the written Austrian school leaving exam in modern foreign languages. Their grade in the IB exam in the respective foreign language is converted for the Austrian school leaving certificate according to a specified key. 

We want to see our students leave our school as critical thinkers who have a sustained interest in learning and inquiry. They will be responsible and morally ambitious young adults.

We will help our students to listen and acknowledge the views of others, especially when they oppose their own, and to communicate respectfully. We want our students to embrace each other’s differences, recognise that there is a wider world outside of their familiar context and to live peacefully with their fellow human beings.

To achieve our vision, our school will align the best traditions of an Austrian Gymnasium with the global perspectives of an International Baccalaureate education.

Does my child already need to know English when they start the programme in Grade 1?  
 No. We introduce the children to the language step by step.  

My child is better at English than German. Is the Bilingual Programme still suitable? 
In the lower school, this programme is only suitable for your child if they also attend extra German lessons. As a public school, we can only provide limited support in this regard. Please see our Language Policy on the school website for more details.  

Is the workload greater than in other classes in the lower school? 
 No, if your child meets the requirements for Austrian secondary school, the workload remains the same. 

Is the workload greater than in other classes in the upper school? 
 Yes, but it is worth it. Two qualifications – the Austrian school leaving exam and the IB – require commitment, but bring great personal and academic rewards. At the same time, thoughtful synergies between the two curricula and various forms of support at our school help to keep the additional workload to a minimum. 

We want your child to be able to continue pursuing their hobbies with passion! 

Is this the right programme for my child?  
 Children who choose the Bilingual Programme should be curious, have their own interests and enjoy learning. We are looking for committed children who like to consider different perspectives, are active learners and want to explore topics in depth. 

What support is available?  
 In addition to close supervision by form teachers and subject teachers, tutorials, support programmes, student learning assistance and our Native English-speaking Teachers are available. 

What if my child wants to stay in Austria? 
  Even then, the in-depth and supplementary education that takes place as part of the IB Diploma Programme is a valuable additional qualification: it strengthens language skills, trains collaboration, promotes networked thinking and facilitates access to the growing number of Austrian degree programmes offered in English.  

Is there a specific enrolment process?   
 Admission to the Bilingual Programme takes place in two steps:  
First, all new students have an interview with the head of school or members of our teaching staff. To ensure that your child is well suited to our Bilingual Programme, a further consultation procedure is then necessary.  

The consultation procedure for Grade 1 (bilingual) takes place annually after school enrolment in the desired language (German or English) at the end of February/beginning of March. If you register your child for this during the general enrolment process, you will receive all necessary information. If your child wishes to join the Bilingual Programme later (in a higher school year), there is a consultation procedure as well.  

Please see our Admissions Policy on the school website for more details.  

How are academic achievements assessed in the Bilingual Programme? 
 Assessments, i.e. schoolwork, tests or other learning objective checks, are conducted partly in German and partly in English. In written examinations, care is naturally taken to ensure that the content is understandable for everyone. Pupils in the Bilingual Programme are always allowed to answer in German (in class and in examinations). In practice, however, pupils very quickly feel confident enough to answer in English. Please see our Assessment Policy on the school website for more details.  

What about the financial commitment?  
The fee for the consultation procedure for Grade 1 is € 25. 

Other consultation procedures cost € 80. 

To cover additional costs such as extra teaching materials, English books and much more, the Bilingual Programme has a voluntary monthly membership fee of € 50 for the “Association for the Promotion of Bilingual Classes at BG/BRG Klosterneuburg”. Payment is made by direct debit, with the fee being collected every two months.  

Lack of financial resources should not be an obstacle: we offer quick and unbureaucratic support. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: bilingual@bgklosterneuburg.at