Languages

Languages at VES: English, German, Spanish, French

We believe that linguistic competence and communication skills are some of the most important assets a young person can acquire throughout his/her school career. All languages - English, German, Spanish and French - are taught by native speakers of the according language. 

Our goal at VES is for our students to reach a high level in four languages - English, German, Spanish and French - that allows them to use these languages at universities throughout the world and for their future careers.

Language learning at VES includes a variety of modern teaching methods - theatre pedagogy, promotion of cultural understanding, use of literature and creative writing, games and songs as well as regular language quizzes and presentations. 

Englishis the main language of instruction for all subjects taught at VES, except German, Spanish, French and Mathematics. It is also an individual subject with a special focus on linguistic competences as well as literature.

German is taught according to the Austrian curriculum and is also the language of instruction in Mathematics. Students are required to reach a German native speaker level. 

In German language class there is a special focus on German, Austrian and Swiss literature. Literature reports are collected in personal folders by every student throughout eight years of secondary education at VES.

Experience has shown that, with ambition and participation in support clubs and individual tutoring in homework club, non-native German speaking students can meet the requirements after some time. 

Spanish is taught from Junior High 1 through 4 and further in Senior High as an additional language. By Junior High 4, most of our students are at a B1 level according to the European Language Levels. 

To promote the Spanish language among our students and to support and motivate them in their linguistic development, we organize and offer a variety of special events for our boys and girls:

  • Jornadas del Español - Spanish Overnight at School with Spanish activities
  • Reception at the Spanish Embassy
  • Spanish Language Exchange Program with our partnerschool in Murcia, Spain
  • Spanish Art Classes
  • Presentation of Spanish Plays during the VES Christmas Show
  • Spanish Presentations during Tea Times 
  • Spanish movie nights
  • Spanish Flamenco Workshops
  • Spanish Library
  • Spanish Support Club
  • Amigos del Espanol

French is taught in Junior High 3 and 4 and later on at Senior High School. 

To promote the French language among our students and to support and motivate them in their linguistic development, we organize and offer a variety of special events for our boys and girls:

  • Celebration of "Mardi Gras"
  • Celebration of "La Galette des Rois"
  • French Overnight at School with French activities
  • Week Trip "Français et Golf" - intensive language seminar
  • French breakfast at Café Français
  • Presentation of French Plays during the VES Christmas Show
  • French Presentations during Tea Times 
  • French movie nights
  • French Library
  • French Support Club
  • Club Français