- This topic is empty.
-
Posts
-
Hello all,
I see that in order to get a RWR card as a family member of an Austrian, it’s mandatory that I pass a “minimum level A1” German skills test – so much for learning through immersion… I’ve been working my way through the five levels of Rosetta Stone. I see that I can take the level A1 class at an affiliate of the Goethe Institute — has anyone taken this test, and do you have any idea whether the full course of Rosetta Stone is enough to prepare me for this?
(I’m not even going to get into the “pre-departure confirmation” of my passing this test…)
Anyway, I’m also watching German-language films and practicing with my fiance over Skype. I’ve never studied another language, and at age 50 – it’s a challenge!
Try volkschule http://vhs.at.
I passed my B1 there. it was the cheapest.
A1 should not be hard.
By the way, how was your experience with Rosetta stone. I was thinking about getting an advanced one, but not sure…
Well, I think I have to pass a language test before I come to Austria – I just found where I can practice for the A1 test on the Goethe Institute site – after a preview, I see I have a LOT of ground to cover.
I’m afraid I’m only onto Level 2 in Rosetta Stone, but my fiance is impressed with my progress. Grammar has been a challenge since the learning is intuitive, and there is nothing intuitive about German grammar. The pronunciation tools are a bit frustrating too – The program counted my pronunciation of “Ich spreche Englisch” as wrong about about 30 times – haha – well, that included laughter and expletives… (I’m having a LOT of trouble with rolling Rs and anything that ends with “ch”) What I’ve learned has stayed with me. I’m really not sure whether the upper levels would be considered advanced for someone already speaking German though.
Thanks for your help!
ok, thanks. It is weird that you have to pass a test before arriving t o Austria. you can probably call Austrian embassy in the states and find out more places…
good luck!Yeah, this is required by law active from July 1, 2011. Since MA35 rejected my application and I was told by that the appeal would take around 4 months, I made a new application and had to do it right before July 1 to be exempt from this. If you ask me, I think this is the most ridiculous law made… are they trying SO hard to keep families apart?
I was very happy with courses at Deutsch Akademie, across the Staatsoper. It´s intensive course and cheap in comparison to other schools.
Thanks, I’ll be sure to check into the Deutsche Akademie after I get in!
First I have to show up with an A1 certificate in hand. I did find test samples on the Goethe Institute site, as well as Deutsch Welle Radio – so interesting that they offer language lessons.
Hime – are you married to an Austrian? Now you’ve got me worried! 🙂
Colleen, you are a family member of an Austrian, right? RWR card is not for you then, this is a new program for highly skilled migrants. You can ask for a simple settlement permit, and you don’t have to make the German test before you come to Austria.
@Hime wrote:
Yeah, this is required by law active from July 1, 2011. Since MA35 rejected my application and I was told by that the appeal would take around 4 months, I made a new application and had to do it right before July 1 to be exempt from this. If you ask me, I think this is the most ridiculous law made… are they trying SO hard to keep families apart?
Austria makes this SOOO difficult!!!!! Not only for keeping families apart for also keeping couples from coming together. 🙁 It’s nearly impossible.
As an Australian married to an Austrian I think it’s absolutely reasonable for the Austrians to expect that new residents can speak German. It is a fundamental stepping stone to integration into a new society. It may be difficult making the effort now, but it will make your life in Austria so much easier and richer. We English speakers tend to be rather lazy about learning other languages, but the world is changing. We should also all be learning some Mandarin.
It’s interesting to note that this requirement does not apply to new employees of international organizations working in Vienna.
Well as far as the UN is concerned, German is not one of the official languages.
Don’t know about other international organisations, though.
@loulou wrote:
Well as far as the UN is concerned, German is not one of the official languages.
Don’t know about other international organisations, though.
I’m not talking about German as an official language of the UN, I’m talking about being able to understand German as a residency requirement for people moving to Austria. If there is such a requirement under this new RWR scheme, why does it not also apply to new UN employees?
I understand what you mean anagram, but they are exempt from many things here, because they are not classified as residents of Austria, simple as that. Crazy but true! If they were, then they would have to pay Austrian tax, which they dont. They dont register with a MZ here, but are registered with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. How they can apply for Austrian citizenship is mind boggling, AND get it without speaking one word of German….go figure 🙂
- The forum ‘Learning German’ is closed to new topics and replies.