Interview: Learning German for Work and Integration in Vienna #5

Learning German for work in Vienna is one of the biggest challenges for international professionals who want to integrate and build a long-term future in Austria. Even when you already live and work in Vienna, language can quickly become a barrier in daily communication and professional life.

Barnabas is a business informatics specialist from Hungary who has been living in Vienna for one and a half years. He works for an insurance company in Austria and learns German mainly to communicate better with his colleagues and integrate fully into life in Vienna. In this interview, he shares his experience of learning German for work, the challenges he faced at the beginning, and why small-group German courses helped him stay motivated and improve his speaking skills.

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Living and working in Vienna as an international professional Visa

Barnabas is from Hungary and has been living in Vienna for about one and a half years. He moved to Austria because he had an opportunity to work here and quickly felt comfortable in the city. What he appreciates most about Vienna is the overall environment, the people, and the diversity, which he finds very motivating.

He currently lives in Vienna’s 10th district, a neighborhood he particularly enjoys for its multicultural atmosphere. He likes being surrounded by people from many different backgrounds and often mentions, with a smile, that the 10th district has some of the best döner kebabs in the city. In his free time, Barnabas enjoys walking around the city and exploring different areas. One of his favorite places is Pötzleinsdorf Park in the 18th district, where he enjoys the calm atmosphere.

Why learning German is essential for work in Vienna

Professionally, Barnabas is a business informatics specialist and currently works for an insurance company in Austria. German plays a crucial role in his job, as he works for a German company and wants to communicate clearly and confidently with his colleagues.

During meetings, he sometimes finds himself as the only person who does not yet speak German perfectly. In those situations, the conversation often switches to English just for him. While he appreciates this, his goal is to change that and fully participate in meetings in German. Being able to work entirely in German is an important step for him toward professional integration in Vienna.

The biggest challenges when learning German for work

One of the most difficult aspects of German for Barnabas has been grammar, especially articles, which he still finds particularly challenging. Although he had already learned a lot of German in Hungary, using the language confidently in professional contexts proved to be more demanding.

Another challenge is switching between standard German and more formal or professional language, which is especially important in the workplace. This is one of the reasons why he decided to take advanced courses such as B2.1 and B2.2. In addition, he is also learning to understand the Viennese dialect, which he admits is difficult, but he is gradually getting used to it.

Check here the course Barnabas was doing: German Course in Vienna in 8 Weeks

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How small-group German courses help improve speaking confidence

Barnabas places great value on learning German in small groups. In his current course, there are only four students, which allows everyone to actively participate and speak a lot during the lessons. This setting makes it easier to practice German regularly and gain confidence.

He particularly enjoys role plays in class, where students take on different roles and practice real-life professional situations. These exercises help him improve his speaking skills and prepare for everyday work scenarios, making the learning experience both practical and engaging.

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Learning German to integrate and build a future in Vienna

For Barnabas, learning German is closely connected to his long-term goal of staying in Vienna and integrating fully into Austrian society. He wants to be more involved in local tasks at work and take on greater responsibilities, which requires a strong command of the language.

He has already completed B2.1 and B2.2 courses and is currently preparing to start the C1.1 level in March. Reaching an advanced level of German is an important milestone for him, both professionally and personally, as it allows him to communicate more naturally and confidently in all areas of life.

Use the link to contact us and we will find the course that fits you the best: Contact Ikarus Wien here

Advice for professionals learning German in Vienna

Based on his experience, Barnabas strongly recommends starting to learn German as early as possible. Living in Vienna offers many opportunities to practice the language daily, as German is spoken everywhere.

He also emphasizes the importance of speaking actively, especially with colleagues. For him, real conversations were the key moment when he felt he could truly start using German. This constant practice continues to motivate him to improve and move closer to his goal of full integration

Take the next step in Vienna. Join a German course at Ikarus Wien and start speaking with confidence.

Learning German for work in Vienna is not just about grammar or vocabulary — it’s about feeling confident, being understood, and growing professionally. Antonio’s experience shows how important speaking practice, small groups, and a supportive learning environment can be when you are working and living in Austria.

If you are a professional living in Vienna and want to improve your German for work, integration, and everyday communication, small-group German courses can make a real difference. At Ikarus, we focus on practical language use, confidence, and real-life communication — just like in Barnaba’s story.

Group courses in Vienna with maximal 4 students

Private training with a experienced Germanist teacher

Private preparation course for EPD, ÖSD & ÖIF certificate A1/A2/B1/B2/C1