Director of Inspire Learning Teaching School Hub explores the German education system in Berlin

Director of Inspire Learning Teaching School Hub, Jane Kennedy, was recently invited to Germany’s capital, Berlin, as part of a study group for Great Britain to explore the German education system, with a focus on cultural exchange and modern foreign languages.

Facilitated by the global non-profit German cultural association, the Goethe-Institut, the trip provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Jane to gain invaluable insight into how the German educational system is structured, funded, and operates.

Jane said: “I was incredibly honoured to be invited to Berlin to explore the German education system and learn more about Germany’s rich history through cultural experiences.”

During an introductory presentation at the Goethe-Institut, Jane and her fellow delegates heard from Bernardette Holmes, director of the National Consortium for Languages Education (NCLE), who explained how the language hub programme forms part of the ‘Making a Case for German’ initiative, in partnership with the Goethe-Institut and several other programmes.

GIMAGINE is an educational initiative developed by The Goethe-Institut and forms part of NCLE – a nationwide hubs programme funded by the Department for Education (DfE), to re-energise language learning in state-maintained primary and secondary schools in England.

Jane highlighted how one of the trip’s key themes was the reintroduction of German to the curriculum in England. Jane said: “Throughout the trip, we explored the idea of reintroducing German to the curriculum in England.

“It is no secret that across the UK we are facing a teaching recruitment crisis. Fewer people are entering the profession and there is a rising number of live vacancies. If we were to reintroduce German to the national curriculum, schools would face the challenge of finding, recruiting and retaining teachers who can effectively deliver German as a language option.”

Jane added: “As the most commonly spoken mother tongue in Europe with over 100 million people speaking it as their first language, learning German can significantly enhance educational, cultural and career opportunities for students.

“While there is scope to reintroduce German as a modern foreign language, it would not be without its limitations. To be successful, this would need to be managed at a local and national level.”

Jane went on to share how a visit to a gymnasium, a school for students with high academic ability who aim for further education study at universities or institutes, highlighted how students are actively encouraged to speak in the targeted language from the moment they enter the classroom.

Jane said: “The students had an overwhelming sense of confidence and were not fazed by having a group of foreign delegates at the back of the classroom. They were reading, writing, speaking and listening. Their confidence was powerful and admirable.”

At the end of the lesson, Jane had the opportunity to speak with a group of Year 10 students and debate the motion ‘learning a foreign language should be mandatory for all children in British schools’.

“The arguments for and against the motion were compelling. The students articulated their views incredibly and held their peers accountable for what they were saying throughout the debate” Jane said.

The following day, Jane and her fellow delegates attended the Standing Conference, where they learned about the German education system, and its challenges, and delved deeper into the idea of German as a modern foreign language in UK schools.

“It was extremely insightful to learn more about the German education system and how this differs from the UK’s educational landscape. The visit offered insight into the opportunities to engage with themes and questions relevant to contemporary German culture and society,” Jane shared.