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Austria’s primary schools have introduced a new English curriculum for third and fourth graders. Starting in the 2023/24 school year, pupils will receive numerical grades for the first time. The changes aim to boost confidence and enjoyment in learning the language.
The Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Research (BMB) has set guidelines for these assessments. They focus on age-appropriate tasks and recommend using portfolios to track progress.
The updated curriculum makes modern foreign languages, usually English, compulsory in the final two years of primary education. From the 2023/24 academic year, third graders will be graded numerically, with fourth graders following a year later. However, traditional exams, grammar tests, and oral assessments remain banned.
Instead, performance is measured through classroom participation and practical tasks. Reading and writing are now part of English lessons from the beginning. These changes aim to create a more engaging and less pressured learning environment.
For admission to academic secondary schools (AHS), a passing grade in English is required. But the selection does not hinge on the language mark alone. Students must also achieve excellent or good results in German and mathematics.
The BMB has emphasised that the new approach should encourage speaking skills and active use of English. Portfolios will help document each pupil’s development over time, replacing formal testing methods.
The reforms mark a shift in how English is taught and assessed in Austrian primary schools. Grades will now reflect participation and practical skills rather than test scores. Schools will implement these changes gradually, starting with third graders in the current academic year.
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