Early language support

When starting school, all children should be able to communicate in German well enough in order to be able to follow what is being taught in classes. This is why a ‘language skills assessment’ will be carried out before the last year in kindergarten begins to determine the language skills of the children. The assessment establishes whether a child is able to express himself or herself in an age-appropriate manner; this includes using the German language in everyday life correctly, understanding and responding to simple questions in German. The ‘language skills assessment’ takes place in a pleasant, fun environment where the assessor observes the child without putting pressure on him or her to perform. The ‘language skills assessment’ is not a classic test.

During this last year before starting school, children will receive individual language support in kindergarten.
Kindergarten teachers are specially trained to provide such support. Suitable procedures for the language skills assessment were developed and an education plan as well as ‘standards’ were being designed. The federal provinces and the federal government jointly developed individual support measures. These measures are implemented in kindergartens in a manner appropriate for children and a familiar environment.