My job-shadowing journal at Wien, Austria Austrian journal | Page 22

Global Education and European Teaching Strategies
2018-1-ES01-KA101-049441
Students can still choose either four or three written exams (maths,
German and one foreign language are compulsory; one additional
language can also be chosen). When students choose three written
exams, they will have to do another three oral exams. When
choosing four written exams, only two additional oral exams are
necessary.
What is also new is that every student now has to write a
graduation paper called VWA (Vorwissenschaftliche Arbeit or,
literally translated, "Pre-scientific paper"). They can choose any topic
they want, usually one year before graduating. When they have
finished writing it (it should usually be 30.000 to 40.000 characters long),
they have to present it to teachers and to the head (Vorsitzende(r)).
The VWA is another grade in the Maturazeugnis.This is similar to the
compulsory research project Catalan students do in Batxillerat.
The Austrian "Matura" used to be a decentralized affair, however
since 2014 tests in the subjects: German and Mathematics, as well as
a foreign language, are now centralized and held on the same day
throughout Austria. It was a real surprise to find out that there is
only one external examiner and candidates are set tasks both for
their written and oral finals by their own (former) teachers. Formally,
however, there is an examination board consisting of a candidate's
teachers/examiners, the headmaster/headmistress and one
external Vorsitzende(r) (head), usually a high-ranking school official
or the head of another school. Oral exams are held publicly, but
attendance by anyone other than a candidate's former schoolmates
is not encouraged, and indeed rare.
It is possible for Austrians of all age groups to take the Matura.
Adults from their twenties on are usually tutored at private
institutions of adult education before taking their final tests, held
separately before a regional examination board.
Holocaust module
We had the opportunity to talk to the
pupils taking up this subject and hear
their reflections on the activities carried
out.
Their English was impeccable and
showed great maturity and critical
thinking when commenting on Austria
participation in the Second World War.
They were completely aware of the
importance of knowing the facts so that
they would not be repeated in the future.
Talking to Ms. Lucchi and Mr. Redl at the staff room