From policy to practice: how schools implement German language support policy in Austria

Abstract

In 2018/2019, the Government of Austria instituted a new language support model to Austrian schools that included segregated language support measures for non-fluent German-speaking students. The central research aim of the paper is to investigate how the implementation of this new language support model compares to the policy requirement by examining different models of implementation. In the framework of the initial phases of the project ‘A multi-perspective study on German language support’, 12 interviews with German language support teachers and school principals were conducted. Following a prototypical case study analysis, four models of implementation were identified: (1) Segregation model, (2) Mixed segregated and integrated model, (3) Individualized language support, and (4) Inclusive support model. Given that this is the first study in Austria to show the concrete implementation models of German language support in schools Findings highlight important implications for school principals and educational policy makers.