Open Access

Theresa Bergmair, Maria Michelmann, Nina-Sophie Rohregger

• As a result of the increasing focus on promoting language competence in educational institutions in Austria, language promotion has gained importance also in the transition process from kindergarten to primary school. In order to address this issue, the paper at hand focuses on the question of how language competence can be promoted throughout the transition process. Furthermore, the recent implementation of English as a regular school subject in the curriculum for Austrian primary schools raised the question of how English as a foreign language can be best introduced. In an attempt to answer this question an annual plan was developed in which language promotion in general and English as a foreign language specifically are considered. The need for and impact of such transition-related activities was determined based on interviews and one actual activity which was observed and reflected on. Overall, the aim of this paper is to provide a practical guide and offer inspirational ideas of how to put language promotion into practice and best prepare young learners for the next stage. The suggested transition-related activities can be organized as a joint effort by kindergartens and primary schools with an additional focus on promoting learning English as a foreign language.