Study Abroad in Salzburg: Orientation

Each semester is preceded by a 2-week orientation, during which time AIFS staff assist students to adapt to their new social and cultural environment and fully integrate into Austrian life. The expertise of the staff ensures that students are well prepared to take advantage of the many exciting opportunities in Salzburg. Emphasis is also placed on academic counseling, course selection and registration.

Orientation language courses

A placement exam after arrival determines appropriate levels. The intensive German language orientation course meets for a total of 30 hours of instruction. Each course is divided into grammar, conversation, vocabulary and culture with an exam at the end. These courses consist of small groups of exclusively AIFS students. Instructors are approved by the University of Salzburg. Orientation courses are worth 2 credits and appear on a University of Salzburg transcript.

German 101 fall/spring (2)
Elementary German
Students with no previous German or with only one semester in college usually place into this level. Functional uses of the language as well as grammar, cultural themes, introductions, exchanging information, writing letters, the present tense, the noun and the cases, personal pronouns and possessive pronouns, sentence structure, questions, prepositions, list of irregular verbs, basic communication and listening comprehension.

German 201 fall/spring (2)
Intermediate German I
Students who have studied German throughout high school and continued with one semester in college, or students who have two to four semesters in college, usually place into this level. Practice of communication and speaking techniques, listening comprehension, analyzing texts and training in everyday situations typical of students studying at the University of Salzburg, reading comprehension, revision of old and learning of new vocabulary; synonyms and paraphrases in context, verb, noun, adjective, flexion, prepositions, personal and possessive pronouns, sentence structure, main and subordinate clauses, auxiliary verbs, special focus on sentence construction and use of past tenses in context.

German 301 fall/spring (2)
Intermediate German II
Students with at least six semesters of college German, experience living in a German-speaking country or German study on a regular basis since elementary school usually place into this level. Practice of communication and speaking techniques in everyday situations; listening comprehension, short reports, personal statements, arguing in discussions, reading comprehension, analysis of authentic texts, exercises, producing texts, deepening and enlarging vocabulary; synonyms and paraphrasing; appropriate use of vocabulary in context.

German 401 fall/spring (2)
Advanced German
Students who are nearly fluent usually place into this level. It concentrates on refining and further developing communicative skills, review of indicative and the subjunctive, expressions of doubt, probability, feelings, opinions. Preparation of university level texts. Reading of newspapers and modern literature texts.

Orientation activities

A program of cultural activities is organized to help students get to know each other and the wealth of cultural and recreational facilities in and around Salzburg. Examples are tours of Salzburg and pastry tasting at a local café.

Orientation housing

Students will go directly to the housing they will have for the semester wherever possible. Otherwise, temporary placement will be arranged, usually in a dorm. The same meal plan as described under Housing and Meals applies.