Due to a lack of childcare, immigrant parents are often unable to participate in language courses. A program at the Center for Adult Education in Upper Austria combines both: the “Krone” visited and spoke to the participants.
It certainly doesn’t fail because of the will: “I live in Austria, I have to learn German. And then I would like to train to become a chef,” says Halima. The 24-year-old comes from Afghanistan and has lived in Linz for almost three years. She is currently one of ten women taking part in the voluntary language course “Mama is learning German” in the Auwiesen district.
“German is not easy”
“German is not that simple. But this course helps me a lot,” says Halima. She cannot take advantage of other offers ‘because of childcare’. However, her daughter is taken care of during the course at the Center for Adult Education (VHS) Upper Austria. Because while the mothers learn German with a trainer in the front, the children play at a table with a supervisor in the back. Which in turn presents a challenge of a different kind: the teacher’s explanation of the complicated grammar – for example: it says “the kitchen”, but someone is “in the kitchen” – is repeatedly interrupted by the cheerful noise of children during the “Krone” visit.
Childcare is essential
In total, VHS offers 39 such “Mama Learns German” courses in 20 communities. The corresponding childcare offer is also crucial for Damir Saračević, head of the VHS Institute for Intercultural Pedagogy: “If childcare is not organised, women cannot participate.”
Course places doubled
This year, the state will finance the German courses offered by VHS and other providers with 4.3 million euros. “The main purpose of the courses is to cope with everyday life,” says State Integration Councilor Christian Dörfel (ÖVP). “For example, if you are sick, you should be able to tell the doctor what is wrong with you.” This year the state wants to offer more than 6,000 German course places, last year there were 5,543 and in 2021 that will only be the case. be 2,838.
The Bosnian Emina (36) has already completed her education. She would have liked to see more than just that one weekly course date, but is happy with the offer. She then completed her training as a kindergarten teacher – and now she works as a childcare worker in the VHS German course.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
