HIAS Vienna Lesson Plans Highlight: Iranians in Vienna

HIAS Vienna

Refugees All refugees trained are religious minorities (Armenian and Assyrian Christians, Baha’is, Jews, Mandeans and Zoroastrians) from Iran. Men worked in Iran in various professions and trades, including engineering, dentistry, auto repair, and goldsmiths. Most women worked at home. Also included are high school and university students. While course participants have a high average level of education and language skills, a few participants have had no formal education. Ages of refugees in CO class range from 14
to 80.

Training Sites The OPE offices in Vienna, Austria, and two other locations in Vienna.

Staff The program is staffed by four full-time and two part-time employees.

Course Particulars The normal course length is 16 hours. Classes run 4 hours a day for 4 days, and are led by English-speaking trainers with interpretation into Farsi. Ideal class size normally varies between 25 and 30.

Course content is based on The Welcome Guide, with topics adapted to the interests and needs of each class. Teachers survey students to determine past professions and special areas of concern for their arrival in the U.S.

Areas of special concern or relevance to participants include:

• The U.S. educational system and ESL resources
• Recertification resources in the United States
• Cultural adjustments and changing family roles
• U.S. residency rights and responsibilities
• Job searching
• Driving in the U.S. and obtaining a driver’s license
• Healthcare and medical insurance coverage in the United States
• The needs of elderly
• Travelling to the U.S.

CO trainers address these interests through frequent use of realia (particularly from the U.S. locales in which the majority of refugees are resettling), as well as through guided discussion and participatory activities.

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