Austrian Sign Language introduced as school foreign language

Starting this school year, Austrian Sign Language (ÖGS) can be selected as a second living foreign language at AHS upper secondary levels in Austria. This option sits alongside established languages such as French, Spanish, and Polish. By 2030, students are expected to be able to complete their Matura (graduation exams) in ÖGS.

Despite this progress, implementation faces significant hurdles. Due to a shortage of qualified teaching staff and a lack of specialized teacher training programs, the language will initially only be offered at select locations. Furthermore, there remains a scarcity of instructional materials for children and adolescents.

While ÖGS has held constitutional recognition in Austria since 2005, it has historically lacked status as a dedicated school subject or a regular first or second language, a point previously criticized by the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Experts note that while the new model is a step forward, it primarily benefits hearing students, as deaf children still face limited access to similar opportunities in compulsory primary and lower secondary education.