Interest in learning a foreign language in Germany is instilled from childhood
As Deutsche Welle notes, there are some common criteria, norms and rules, but there are also differences.
Speaking with neighbors in their language
For example, in the federal states that border France (such as Saarland), French is compulsory in many schools, while in Schleswig-Holstein, where many Danes live (the state also borders Denmark), Danish is studied in schools. In those areas of Lower Saxony and the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia that are close to the Dutch border, Dutch is taught; in Saxony and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Polish; in Bavaria, Czech. The goal is clear: since borders in the European Union are open, everyone tries to encourage communication and mutual understanding with neighbors.
However, not only geopolitical factors but also traditions play a significant role here. For instance, in Thuringia, which is in eastern Germany, on the territory of the former GDR, many schools teach Russian. Once Russian was compulsory in the GDR, today it is not, but nevertheless it remains quite popular in Eastern Germany.
English from the first grade
Well, what common, uniform standards for learning foreign languages in schools exist in Germany?
First, it should be emphasized that knowledge of foreign languages is considered very important in Germany not only from a purely practical point of view, for mastering a particular profession and career growth, but also for general human development. Therefore, in many federal states, learning the first foreign language – usually English – begins already in primary school: somewhere from the third grade, somewhere from the fourth, and in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia even from the first.
Of course, young children are not taught complex grammar rules. The main thing in this case, as literally stated in the methodological guide of the state Ministry of Education, is “to develop in children joy and interest in learning a foreign language, other countries and peoples.” In gymnasiums, which are the highest form of school education in Germany and graduation from which gives the right to enter a university, they study not one but at least two, often three foreign languages.
Knowledge of two or three foreign languages is a mandatory condition for continuing studies at a university and obtaining higher education. Accordingly, the school takes this seriously. In the 10th grade, for example, the weekly schedule typically includes three to four lessons of each foreign language, that is, a total of 6-8 hours per week. This is in regular classes. In specialized classes with intensive foreign language teaching (such classes exist in many German gymnasiums), there are even more foreign language lessons. In addition, in specialized groups, some subjects are taught in a foreign language.
Range of foreign languages in Germany
The most children and adolescents, as one might easily guess, learn English in German general education schools: about 7 million, and almost another one and a half million in vocational secondary schools. Nearly one and a half million study French, about half a million study Spanish, which has become increasingly popular in Germany in recent years. Latin is traditionally studied in German gymnasiums. Some learn Latin seriously as a second foreign language (for example, those who dream of becoming a doctor), some take the so-called “minimum”, and in total there are 560,000 “Latin students” in Germany.
An important aspect in Germany is also creating opportunities for children with immigrant backgrounds to study their native language, for example, Turkish. Almost 40,000 schoolchildren study it as an elective in Germany, Italian – 47,000, Russian – 100,000 people.
The world is getting closer
It should be noted that learning foreign languages in Germany is by no means theoretical or academic in nature. From primary school, children are taught to communicate in a foreign language. And in the upper grades of gymnasiums, exchange between schools of different countries has long become a tradition (disrupted, however, in the pandemic year).
For example, at the St. Irmgardis Gymnasium in Cologne, those studying French travel to France and Belgium for several weeks, those learning English go to Great Britain. And from there, accordingly, gymnasium students studying German come to Cologne.
It also helps that many foreign newspapers and magazines in a wide variety of languages – from English and French to Serbian and Russian – are sold at German newsstands. As for statistics, according to recent surveys, 70% of Germany's residents know and understand at least one foreign language more or less well. This broadens not only horizons and professional opportunities: the world is getting closer.