Successful Launch of the "Language Buddy" Program in Austria

BildungsLAB Hands & Minds Learningcenter, Vienna, Austria – January 2025 as project partner of the EU AMIF ‘Language Buddy project’ has offi cially launched in Austria. This European initiative supports migrant children and young adults in learning new languages through peer mentorship. The launch events took place at FH Vienna and PH Burgenland, bringing together students, university representatives, and stakeholders. Discussions focused on mentorship, language learning, and intercultural exchange.

What is the Language Buddy Model?

The Language Buddy model connects university students with migrant and refugee children to help them learn languages in a practical and interactive way. Mentors guide their buddies through conversations, structured activities, and real-life scenarios. This helps young migrants improve their language skills while allowing students to gain experience in teaching, communication, and intercultural understanding.

The program is running in eight European countries (Austria, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Romania, and Spain). It is funded by the European Commission under the AMIF-2023-TF2-AG-CALL, aiming to make language education more inclusive and accessible.

Strong Interest and Participation

The LB Launch Events took place in Austria at FH Vienna on January 15, 16, and 28, 2025, and at PH Burgenland on January 24, 27, and 28, 2025. Additionally, a livestream was held on Facebook on January 28, 2025.

The agenda included a welcome and introduction, an overview of the LB Project, a presentation of the Language Buddy model, an invitation to participate, and an evaluation session, followed by an open Q&A and closing remarks.

The events attracted a total of 154 face-to-face and online participants, with 150 attendees joining the livestream. In total, 55 individuals expressed interest in becoming mentors.

Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many appreciating the mentorship opportunities and recognizing the program’s value. However, concerns were raised regarding the four-month commitment, as students found it difficult to anticipate their workload. Higher-semester students, who often juggle part-time jobs, also expressed worries about time constraints. Despite these concerns, interest in the program remained high, with many seeing it as a valuable social and educational opportunity.

Next Steps

Now that the project is launched, the focus is on:

  • Training mentors so they feel prepared

  • Creating a solid mentorship structure in Austrian universities

  • Encouraging more students to join

  • Building partnerships with other institutions and organizations

The Language Buddy project is supported by the European Commission and works to improve language learning, promote cultural exchange, and support migrant students. With such strong interest, the program is ready to make a real impact in Austria and beyond.

For more details about the Language Buddy Project and upcoming opportunities, visit the projects website: www.languagebuddy.eu

For more information, visit the BildungsLAB LB Website or follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

 
 

Become a mentor.
Make a difference.

 

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at Bildungslab: hello@bildungslab.com

This event is co-funded by the European Union through the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund.

Photos from the Launch Events

Ask the Language Buddy Agent your questions!

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. GA Number: 101141117

Project number: AMIF-2023-TF2-AG-CALL