School education

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Choice of school, school types, North Rhine-Westphalia

Question

My name is ... and I plan to do my PhD in Aachen RWTH, Germany next year. I have three children. I would like to send them to public school and I understand they have different types of school there. I would like to know which or what type of school could my children go since they have not studied in Germany. Please help me.

Answer

Regarding your questions about schools for your children, I would like to invite you to visit the following link on Deutscher Bildungsserver: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=136 You will find informations in english regarding school systems, institutions, laws, addresses etc.. Furthermore it might be useful for you to visit the homepage of Nordrhein-Westfalen's Ministry of Education klicking on http://www.learn-line.nrw.de/start.html (here, information ist only available in german, though). Here you can find especially addresses of single schools and further information about the school system in Nordrhein-Westfalen and phone numbers.

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Regulations for English language exams of the Abitur (A-level)

Question

I am a staff member in the Undergraduate Admissions Office at the .... We are currently researching the English language component of a range of qualifications, including the German Abitur.

I would be grateful for any other information available on the English language component of the German secondary qualification. Ideally, we're looking for a syllabus, detailed assessment/mark scheme and sample exam papers.

Answer

There are several resources about the German Abitur available but unfortunately only in German.

As a federal state Germany actually has 16 education systems but there are a number of agreements on and regulations for the Abitur from the "Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs" that apply to all:

Gymnasiale Oberstufe (sixth form) in the Laender: http://www.kmk.org/doc/beschl/abi-02.pdf

Agreements on the Abitur and gymnasiale Oberstufe (sixth form): http://www.kmk.org/schul/abipr.htm

http://www.kmk.org/doc/beschl/abi-03.pdf

http://www.kmk.org/doc/publ/Vereinb-z-Gestalt-d-gymOb-i-d-SekII.pdf appendix to the above document: http://www.kmk.org/doc/publ/176_Listen-zu-Ziff_10-1_10-2_11-2.pdf

Central and decentral exams in the Laender: http://www.kmk.org/schul/zdzabi.htm

Duration of schooling at the Gymnasium (secondary school/ grammar school): http://www.kmk.org/schul/SchulzeitamGymnasium.pdf

Agreement on the mutual recognition of the Abitur in the Laender: http://www.kmk.org/doc/beschl/abi-07.pdf

Sample for school leaving report: http://www.kmk.org/doc/beschl/abi-08.pdf

Concerning the English language:

Unified examination requirements for the English language (Abitur): http://www.kmk.org/doc/beschl/epa_englisch.pdf

Some resources on exam questions for secondary schools (no complete list for all Laender) http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=638 Up-to-date information is also available from the ministries of education

school curricula in the Laender: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=400

For information on detailed assessment and mark schemes you best contact the ministries of education: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=580

For general information:

A short introduction to the Oberstufe (sixth form) in English: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=687 Collection of resources on the German education system: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=505 (several resources are available in English)

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Purchase of German math books

Question

I am interested in purchasing German Math books that would be used in German schools for children ages 9-14. If I can not purchase the exact books, I would like equivalent material. I am trying to develop math comparisons between US grades 4th-8th for my PhD.

Answer

As we are no bookshop it is not possible to buy math books from us. We only provide internet resources on education in Germany.

Links to lists of school books used in schools in the German Laender can be found at: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=522 Unfortunately the websites are only in German. Of interested for the given age groups are the school types: Grundschule, Hauptschule, Realschule, Gymnasium. The German word for math is Mathematik.

You can also try and contact the ministries of education for lists of school books: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=580

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English medium / international school, near Witten

Question

I am looking for an English medium international school for my child (who is 7 year old) in or near Witten, Germany. I request you to send me information about the above

Answer

To find schools in Nordrhein-Westfalen, please visit the following link:

http://www.learn-line.nrw.de/angebote/dabi/ddb_search.php3

For further information about international schools in/near Witten you can also contact "Landesbildungsserver NRW" directly, klicking on http://db.learnline.de/nes-bin/email.lasso?id=angebote/dabi/.

2. Answer

Visiting the followin link, you will find a search machine for bilingual schools in Nordrhein-Westfalen (you can choose the city Witten in a dropdown box) http://www.schulministerium.nrw.de/BP/_suche1/SchuleSuchen/suchen_unt_angebote.php General informations about english language in primary school are available under http://www.schulministerium.nrw.de/BP/Unterricht/Faecher/Fremdsprachen/Sprachen/Englisch/EnglischGrundschule/index.html

There is also an association for multilingual education that is reachable at http://www.fmks-online.de/

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Partner school Comenius project

Question

We want to join the Comenius School Partnerships Programme for this year,so we need to find the coordinate school and a partner.You can offer your project's subject to us.We can accept your subject.Could you help about this subject to us as soon as possible? We need the Coordinae School's Information and partners' information on the application form for our national agency.The 30 rd March is the latest day for us.The Turkish national agency has been given this time to us,so we don't have enough time. If you are interested in fillig in the application form you can send it to us,Our National Agency wants to get the information about the coordinate school and the partner on the aplication form.If you fill in the form,you can send it to us and then we are going to fill in the form. Our School is only two years. Although it is a new school,it is known very well by everybody from its education system.There are only twenty students in each class. It has Biology, Chemistry, Science, Music, History, Literature, Engilsh, Computer, Geography, Physics, physical-Education, Mathematics and Health lessons.It has a headmaster,an assistant,and twenty-three teachers and a civil-servant.It has twenty-two computers in computer room.There are two hundred schoolgirls and two hundred-six schoolboys etc. Could you contact with us in English immediately,please? We are looking forward to your kind reply as soon as possible.

Answer

The German Education Server is a web portal and offers internet resources about education in Germany. We are no school and we do not participate in EU-projects.

For information about Comenius-projects in Germany you best contact the Paedagogischen Austauschdienst (PAD) (pedagogic exchange service) http://www.kmk-pad.org/index.php?id=22 Unfortunately, the website is only in German. Their contact address you can find at http://www.kmk-pad.org/index.php?id=24

They also offer a link list for partner search: http://www.kmk-pad.org/index.php?id=3

General information on Comenius can be found at http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/llp/comenius/activities/comenius1_en.html

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Starting school, primary school Schleswig-Holstein

Question

My son was born in ..., and is attending the "reception year" at the ..., England. Here school starts the year that the children are 5, and he can already recognise letters and numbers, do some very basic reading, and basic maths (sums etc). I have the possibility to move to ... in Germany in the summer for work. I know that children in Germany start school the year they are 6-7, which for him wouldn't be until 2008-2009. Please could you let me know what would exactly happen or what are the possibilities for him, as spending one year out of school doesn't sound like a good idea now that he has already started school; nor it would be attending a class where the children are still learning to recognise letters and numbers!

Answer

In Schleswig-Holstein there is a new concept for school starters called "Eingangsphase" or sometimes "Flexible Eingangsphase" (flexible beginning). It means that children can spend a different amount of time (1,2 or 3 years) for the first two years at school, depending on the child's abilities. More information can be found at the education server for Schleswig-Holstein at: http://grs.lernnetz.de/eingang.php3 The website is only in German but the editors might be able to help you in English: http://grs.lernnetz.de/impress.php3

The local school authority (Schulamt) can also give you advice. The addresses can be found at http://landesregierung.schleswig-holstein.de/coremedia/generator/Aktueller_20Bestand/MBF/Information/Bildung/Schulamt.html

General information about the primary school in Schleswig-Holstein can be found at the ministry of education: http://landesregierung.schleswig-holstein.de/coremedia/generator/Aktueller_20Bestand/MBF/Information/Bildung/Grundschulen.html

The parents' organisations in SH can be found at: http://www.lernnetz-sh.de/index.php?id=28&layout=&style= Maybe they can advise you as well.

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Technical infrastructure at schools, administration and financing

Question

My name is..., I am teacher at ...;Chile. I also carry out some educational activities in the Computer Science Institute, at ... - Chile.

At present, I’am doing a Post Degree Program in that University; I am in the final phase (Thesis Work or Memory) of a Masters in Educative Computer Science.

In order to achieve a good end in this vocational educational training, I'm doing a research that it explore and investigate the conditions that require the educational establishments (in Chile) to get a major autonomy in the infrastructure management and services ICT (Information, Communications, Technologies).

In order to describe a theoretic framework of the international experience on this matter, i need to distract its attention to request you to indicate me how it is the management technological experience of infrastructure and services in the primary and secondary educational establishments in Deutschland.

I need to know the international experience in advanced countries as yours... to know how the establishments manage of technological infrastructure incorporation; how is the funding to get these resources and if exists autonomy in the schools on this matter on the technological implementation? Who and how they take decisions about to the technological implementation in the schools?

I would request if you could indicate me some contact, like a Web Site or another alternative that allows to obtain the data I need.

Answer

I cannot give you a detailed answer as Germany is a federal state and there are 16 school systems. For questions about the implementation and management of the technological infrastructure in schools I would advise you to contact the education servers of the 16 states: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=450 The addresses of the ministries of education can be found at: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=580

There is also an organisation whose main task was to connect schools to the internet and that now supports projects on using the new media in school contexts. Maybe they can be helpful as well: http://www.schulen-ans-netz.de/index.php Unfortunately the website is only available in German.

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Bilingual school in Bavaria

Question

I am trying to gather information about German school choice for my daughters who are 6, 5, and 2 years old. Specifically, I may be moving to Germany for a period of 2 to 3 years and I would like to find a bilingual school near Regensburg. Is there a list of bilingual schools available that you can provide to me?

Answer

Following this link, you will find a list of international schools in Germany http://www.bildungsserver.de/db/mlesen.html?Id=22777

The following link will lead you to the general school database of the bavarian ministry of education. You will also find details of contact persons on this page if you have further questions. http://www.bildungsserver.de/db/mlesen.html?Id=11665

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School holidays in Germany

Question

I would like to know the schools calendar in Germany for the year 2007/2008. Will You be so kind to let me know ? In Italy we have short vacations during Christmas and Easter and very long during summer. This becomes a big problem for families were both parents are working, so we will try to ask our local politicians, to change the Italian school calendar relating it to the ones of others European Community countries.

Answer

Unfortunately, we do not have common holiday and school schedules In Germany - they are different in each of the 16 german "Bundesländer". Please visit the following link on Deutscher Bildungsserver, http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=280, where you find the holiday schedules of all Bundesländer. Information is only given in German, though.

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Norms for accesssibility in school architecture

Question

We are an architectural and contracting company in Egypt, middle east We are responsible of designing a new special needs school, our objective is to make a flexible design of a multi special needs schools building (learning difficulties including /SPLD, emotional, behavioural and social difficulties, sensory or physical difficulties, autism spectrum disorders & asperger's) and a small motel for the long stay and internal education department. we are making this design for free to the non profit new project as a help and to give something more valuable than making a design with fee to assure we are on the right track i decided to send this mail to your honour asking for your help to supply us with the available technical data required to make a successful design achieve the goals of this structure and make sure it will give the kids the required service. we need the allowable technical data of the buildings like required spaces, min. number of classes, best class composition, best required areas, min corridors width .. etc. we already have some date but we are looking to make international standars in our design to help them as we can.

Answer

Unfortunately we are not able to supply any technical data, as we are a web catalogue and only link to Internet resources.

We have some resources on disability-friendly building at http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=1048 and on accessibility and mobility at http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=4782 but most links lead to information only available in German. Maybe some of the websites provide information in English or someone there can help you further.

A central institution concerned with questions of norms and matters of security in school buildings is the Zentralstelle für Normungsfragen und Wirtschaftlichkeit im Bildungswesen (Office for Norms and Economy in Education): http://www.kmk.org/znwb/home1.htm It is part of the "The Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany". The website offers no information in English. The central contact address is: poststelle@kmk.org

Here are some resources in English on accessibility and architecture I could find on the web:

Independent living institute http://www.independentliving.org/

link list http://db1.rehadat.de/rehadat/eng/Reha.KHS?State=15210

United Nations: Enable http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/disisea.htm and http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/index.html

Planning for accessibility, journal article http://asumag.com/mag/university_planning_accessibility/

link list http://sbw.cefpifoundation.org/federal_resources.html

National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities http://www.edfacilities.org/rl/accessibility.cfm

Accessibility-for-All & Facilitation Design http://www.accessibility-for-all.eu/arch/adapthouse.htm

European Concept for Accessibility http://www.eca.lu/

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Scholarship for school exchange (Colombia)

Question

I am ... from Colombia, South America. I found your e.mail on internet, I contact you because I am trying to get a Scholarship to my brother, he is studying at Deutsche Schule Medellín, Colombia and as part of his studies, next year he must go to Germany and study there for one year, our interest is to get you sponsoring to do that (the trip, study, homestay)

Answer

The German Education Server (Deutscher Bildungsserver) is a web catalogue and only links to resources on the Internet. We do not offer any scholarships.

On our website "Financial support for foreign students. Grants." http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=2416 we have a collection of foundations that offer scholarships to foreign students, maybe they support pupils as well.

Via our website "School Exchange" http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=464 you can find organisations for school exchange that might be helpful as well.

More information about Germany in generel and information about exchange programmes in English can be found via "Find out about Germany": http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=4094

Another source of information could be the German embassy in Bogota: http://www.bogota.diplo.de/Vertretung/bogota/es/Startseite.html

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Database of all schools in Germany

Question

How would i get a database of all the schools in Germany (Colleges and High School equivalent)

Answer

A collection of databases of schools in Germany can be found on page http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=276

The here listed nation-wide databases do not list all schools and are often specialised on certain aspects, e.g. Catholic schools etc. As schools are the domain of the federal states you better consult the regional databases (on the second part of the page) and look for secondary schools. Common school types are: Hauptschule, Realschule, Gymnasium, Gesamtschule. But there exist more variaties depending on the state. "Grundschule" means primary/elementary school.

For information about the German education system see also: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=505

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Special education in Germany, typical school day

Question

I am a teacher in the USA doing graduate work in education. Could you send me sample schedules of a day in the life of a student in elementary, middle and high school? I know you have different tracks for kids? I teach special education. Could you tell me more about your special education programs?

I am also in search of literature in English such as brochures about the German School System. Do you have any information like this I could pass out to my fellow teachers? There are 30 of us in my class.

Answer

For general information about the German education system you can find resources on the following page: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=505 Some of the resources are available in English: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=4112 There are also some on special education: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=4523

As we only link to resources on the internet we cannot send you any material in print. Some of the resources from the pages above are available as pdf-files.

On our server there is more information about special school education, but most of the resources are only available in German: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=1006

Unfortunately I cannot provide a sample schedule for a school day. As school education is a domain of the federal states there are in fact 16 varieties of education systems. School organisation can therefore differ as well. For more information about the school systems in the federal states (Laender) you can consult the respective education servers: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=450 or ministries of education: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=580

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Class size in Germany

Question

I am a citizen in Hong Kong and I am interested in the education in Germany. I have surfed your website but couldn't find any information about the class size policy in German primary and secondary schools. Could you possibly help to send me the related information (if any)? Was any research done before the class size policy was implemented in Germany?

2. Question

Are there any websites about class size policy of the primarry and secondary schools in Germany that are written in English?

Answer

you can find the actual average number of pupils per class (Klassenfrequenz Schueler per Klasse) in Schüler, Klassen, Lehrer und Absolventen der Schulen 1996 bis 2005 at http://www.kmk.org/statist/Dok181.pdf on page 11. But, as you may know, Germany is a federal country meaning that the States (Laender) are entirely responsible for all school questions: http://www.bildungsserver.de/db/mlesen_e.html?Id=29402 Therefore you remark a lot of differences according the Laender and it is visible that they have slightly different policies according that question.

But I do not know a published policy according that question. But when you have a look into the OECD publication "Education at a glance" you remark differences between countries and also how much money is spend in average per pupil etc... There are a few publications on that question in German, but you probably will not get the articles and books in Hong Kong, I think. You find them in http://www.fachportal-paedagogik.de/fis_bildung/fis_form.html but without a subscription it may not help.

There is some research according to that question mainly showing, that class size does not matter for measured results of pupils knowledge. But there are also contra dictionary results shooing that it is depending of the teaching methods used...

Some private schools have their policy formulated such as the Walldorfschulen (according to Rudolf Steiner) saying "Jedes Talent sollte in einer Klasse mindestens zweimal vertreten sein" and run therefore normally classes over 30 pupils...

In Discussion papers which are in full text in the Internet at http://www.iza.org/ you find a lot of paters dealing with different aspect of the theme for example

http://ftp.iza.org/dp501.pdf ftp://ftp.iza.org/dps/dp744.pdf ftp://ftp.iza.org/dps/dp485.pdf http://ftp.iza.org/dp261.pdf

2. Answer

unfortunately there are no texts in English on that theme, as I know. I do also not know any formulated policy in German on that theme, but discussions by scientiest as the three titles you got..

As you may know there are a few variables for school such as money for school system, class size, number of teachers (per teaching subject)... If money is the independent variable, meaning that politically fixed) than one has to make it very rough, two possibilities: decrease class size and you need more teachers which you have than to pay a low salary, if your budget keeps the same size. Or, when you prefer highly qualified teachers which will than get more salary, you only can increase the number of pupils per class...

The statistic at http://www.kmk.org/statist/Dok181.pdf page 11 is surely also understandable for you. You have to look at the original because by mail it merges, but thus I can add a few explanations in English. The high number of school types is due to the fact that it is a national German statistics and schools are entirely the policy of every of the 16 States....

Klassenfrequenzen in ausgewählten Schularten 2002 bis 2005 (Schüler je Klasse) (grade (class) frequencies in selected school types fron 2002 t0 2005)

Schulart 2002 2003 2004 2005

Allgemein bildende Schulen (general education schools)

Grundschulen (Primary schools)22,0 22,0 22,0 22,1

Schulartunabhängige Orientierungsstufe (orientation schools autonomous from other school forms) 23,5 23,7 22,3 22,1

Hauptschulen (see: http://www.bildungsserver.de/glossarset.html?Id=29&sp=1& ) 21,9 21,8 21,4 21,1

Schularten mit mehreren Bildungsgängen (Typs of school offering several leaving certificats such as: http://www.bildungsserver.de/glossarset.html?Id=82&sp=1& and as http://www.bildungsserver.de/glossarset.html?g_name=Mittlerer+Schulabschluss&sp=1 ) 22,0 21,7 21,9 21,1

Realschulen (See http://www.bildungsserver.de/glossarset.html?Id=41&sp=1& ) 26,8 26,9 26,8 26,8

Gymnasien, see http://www.bildungsserver.de/glossarset.html?Id=27&sp=1& ) Klassenstufen 5 bis 10 ( grade 5 to 10) 26,8 26,8 27,0 27,2

Integrierte Gesamtschulen, (see http://www.bildungsserver.de/glossarset.html?Id=23&sp=1& ) Klassenstufen 5 bis 10 (grade 5 to 10) 26,1 26,2 26,2 26,4

Förderschulen für Lernbehinderte (see http://www.bildungsserver.de/glossarset.html?g_name=Sonderschule&sp=1 ) 11,9 11,8 11,6 11,4

Berufliche Schulen (Vollzeitform) (Technical and professionsl school -fulltime,)

Berufsgrundbildungsjahr (see http://www.bildungsserver.de/glossarset.html?Id=115&sp=1& ) 21,4 21,6 21,7 21,5

Berufsaufbauschulen ( a professionsl school fot professional upgrading...) see 25,2 25,7 25,8 25,3

Fachoberschulen (see http://www.bildungsserver.de/glossarset.html?Id=15&sp=1& ) 23,6 23,8 23,6 23,3

Berufsfachschulen (see: http://www.bildungsserver.de/glossarset.html?Id=7&sp=1& ) 22,1 22,3 22,4 22,3

Fachschulen (see http://www.bildungsserver.de/glossarset.html?Id=16&sp=1& ) 20,4 20,9 21,0 21,0

Berufsschule im dualen System ( see: http://www.bildungsserver.de/glossarset.html?Id=9&sp=1& ) 20,0 19,9 20,0 19,9

The earlier mentionned text under http://www.bildungsserver.de/db/mlesen_e.html?Id=29402 is also in English, you have tu look under the text in German...

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Partner school for youth project with Moldova

Question

We ARE LOOKING FOR SCHOOLS FROM GERMANY to cooperate and make exchange projects in the folowing programme which is very interesting and helpful for Europe and Moldova:

Europeans for Peace. Looking back and moving forward. www.europeans-for-peace.de <http://www.europeans-for-peace.de> We are an network of 40 youth clubs in 40 schools of Moldova.

Answer

For information about school exchange with Germany you best contact the Paedagogischen Austauschdienst (PAD)(pedagogic exchange service) http://www.kmk-pad.org/index.php?id=22 Unfortunately, the website is only in German. Their contact address can be found at http://www.kmk-pad.org/index.php?id=24

They also offer some links for partner search: http://www.kmk-pad.org/index.php?id=3

Information on eTwinning: http://www.etwinning.net/ww/en/pub/etwinning/index2006.htm

Partner finding forum of the European Schoolnet: http://www.europeanschoolnet.org/eun_org_pforum/index.cfm

The Schulweb (school web) also offers contact opportunities for schools, see "Communication": http://www.schulweb.de/en/deutschland/index.html?anzeige=m

General information on exchange programmes: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=4811

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Regulations for physics exams in secondary schools

Question

I am currently reading for a Masters in Education degree with the University of .... My main research area in School Based assessment in the secondary school exam. I would appreciate if you send me the different public secondary exam boards (16+, or scholl leaving examinations) for Physics that are available in your country and if coursework or school based (internal) assessment is considered for the final grade. If so what work does this coursework consist (eg lab work, internal test etc) of and what is the weighting of such assessment on the final grade.

Answer

I was asked a similar question some time ago about English language exams in Germany. You can find the answer in our Wiki-information desk at: http://wiki.bildungsserver.de/infoboerse/index.php/School_education#Regulations_for_English_language_exams_of_the_Abitur_.28A-level.29 Most of the ressources should be useful for you as well, but please note that nearly all the information is only available in German.

Concerning physics education I can offer you the Unified examination requirements for physics (Abitur): http://www.kmk.org/doc/beschl/EPA-Physik.pdf

Of interest should also be our collection of resources on education standards in Germany: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=1584 The Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Laender in the Federal Republic of Germany (KMK) has passed some resolutions concerning specific subjects for school leaving exams at the age of 15 (Hauptschulabschluss, Jahrgangsstufe 9) and 16 (Mittlerer Bildungsabschluss, Jahrgangsstufe 10): http://www.kmk.org/schul/Bildungsstandards/bildungsstandards-neu.htm Standards in physics for "Jahrgangsstufe 10): http://www.kmk.org/schul/Bildungsstandards/Physik_MSA16-12-04.pdf

For more detailed information you should contact the ministries of education of the federal states, as the education systems differ from each other: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=580

You can also try and contact the education servers of the federal states: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=450

For general information on the German education system see also: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=505

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School system in Bavaria

Question

I am french , do speak a bit of German. I live in Cape Town in South Africa and would like to move to Germany, to Munich this year. My children are 12 and 10 and do also speak a bit of German. Their father is German. Which school and which grade would you recommend for them ? I would need a public state school as the private schools are too expensive and I can't afford their fees. Do you think my children would have to repeat at least one primary class ? I still don't know in which area in Munich I will be staying in.. What date is the start of a new year ? and how long in advance must I apply for a school place for my 2 children ?

Answer

Information in English on the education system in Bavaria can be found at the ministry of education: http://www.km.bayern.de/km/education/

The general website for school councelling in Bavaria is at: http://www.schulberatung.bayern.de/ for Munich: http://www.schulberatung-muenchen.de/ (both in German)

A graphic overview of the Bavarian school system can be found at: http://www.km.bayern.de/km/schule/schularten/ Secondary school starts at the age of 10. You can choose between Hauptschule (lowest level), Realschule (higher level) and Gymnasium (highest level, qualifies for university).

The dates for the school year change annually. In 2008 the next school year starts at 15. September 2008. The holidays can be found at: http://www.km.bayern.de/km/rat_auskunft/ferien/

There is also information about support for pupils whose first language is not German: http://www.km.bayern.de/km/schule/schularten/allgemein/migrantenfoerderung/index.shtml (unfortunately only in German)

For further information and advice you should contact either the ministry of education or the school councelling for Munich mentioned above.

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School partnership Germany - Czech Republic

Question

I am a pupil of a primary school in the Czech Republic. Now our class is making a project called "FRIENDSHIP". In this project we would like to find and contact aschool in a foreign country to make up friendship between us and your studentsusing English and the Internet communication. Could you help me to find a newfriend of mine? Please, provide someone(s) of your students interested ine-mailing with my e-mail address, or send his/her address(es) back to me.

Answer

You have contacted the Deutscher Bildungsserver (German Education Server). We are no school but offer internet resources on education in Germany.

For information about school exchange with Germany you best contact the Paedagogischen Austauschdienst (PAD) (pedagogic exchange service) http://www.kmk-pad.org/index.php?id=22 Unfortunately, the website is only in German. Their contact address can be found at http://www.kmk-pad.org/index.php?id=24

They also offer some links for partner search: http://www.kmk-pad.org/index.php?id=3

Information on eTwinning: http://www.etwinning.net/ww/en/pub/etwinning/index2006.htm

Partner finding forum of the European Schoolnet: http://www.europeanschoolnet.org/eun_org_pforum/index.cfm

The Schulweb (school web) also offers contact opportunities for schools, see "Communication": http://www.schulweb.de/en/deutschland/index.html?anzeige=m

Useful contact address for German-Czech exchange:

Nadace Brücke/Most http://www.bruecke-most-stiftung.de/cz/?id=10

http://www.tschechien-portal.info/?newlang=ces

Tandem http://www.tandem-org.de/start.php

Pontes http://www.pontes-pontes.de/

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Curriculum for secondary level in English

Question

I am looking for the German secondary level curriculum. Could you please send me a copy, in English if possible, of this document?

2. Question

Would you be kind enough to send me the contact details of the person in charge of the ministry of education of the Berlin district?

Answer

In Germany there is not only one secondary level curriculum but sixteen, according to the federal education system of the german Bundesländer. Following this link http://bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=400 you will find a list of State curricula for general education schools in Germany, mostly in german language only, though.

For more information, please contact the ministry of education of the Bundesland you are interested in. Curricula might possibly be available in English language there.

2. Answer

this is the link to Berlin's administration of culture, education and science http://www.berlin.de/sen/bildung/ You will find contact details on the webpage.

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Teachers of German who teach immigrant pupils

Question

I work with newly immigrated (from Mexico) students in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. I am conducting research for a doctorate degre and would like to correspond with German educators who teach newly immigrated students.

Do you know of educators with whom I could correspond. I am taking German lessons, however I do not speak German.

Answer

We do offer comprehensive informations about educators in Germany who teach german as foreign language/bilingual classes. All information is in german language only, though. Please feel free to visit our website about this topic on http://bildungsserver.de/zeigen.html?seite=3306 Apart from that, unfortunately we do not have something like a database of such educators. You might gain names and addresses you could contact on the above mentioned webpage, german teachers are supposed to be able to communicate in english language.

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Organisations for promoting information technology at school

Question

I am working for a Dutch foundation for promoting the use of software in primary and secondary education. Our activities initially focused on Holland and Belgium, but now we are moving to Germany and France as well. I would like to have some information on the organizations / foundations in Germany that are related to the use / promotion of software / information technology in Germany.

Answer

The following organizations/ foundations and websites might be of interest:

VDS Bildungsmedien http://www.vds-bildungsmedien.de/ association of publishers and companies providing media for education

Stiftung Digitale Chancen http://www.digitale-chancen.de/ Digital Opportunities Foundation

Initiative D21 http://www.initiatived21.de/en/Information_for_english_speaking_visitors.104.0.html?

Schulen ans Netz http://www.schulen-ans-netz.de/ initially their task was to connect schools to the Internet now the focus is on learning with digital media

Lehrer online http://www.lehrer-online.de/ information on digital media for teachers

Media initiatives by the Länder http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=770 use the map to obtain information for each Bundesland as the list below does not list all Bundeslaender

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Teaching in Germany

Question

I am interested in teaching English at a primary/elementary school. I have been teaching English (independently) at a kindergarden level for almost 4 years. I am a native speaker (born in Germany and raised in Canada). Could you please let me know how I could get started teaching or how I could assist teaching English.

Answer

For information on the recognition of foreign qualifications you can contact the Central Office for Foreign Education (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen): http://www.kmk.org/zab/home1.htm or the ministry of education of the Bundesland you want to work in. The addresses can be found at http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=580 They can tell you whether your qualifications are sufficient to become a teacher in Germany or if an additional qualification is needed and how you can obtain it.

If you are interested in working in the private school sector you can also contact the Verband der Privatschulen: http://www.privatschulen.de/

Job offers can be found via our Jobs in Education webpage: http://www.bildungsserver.de/jobboerse/index_e.html

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Secondary schools in Germany

Question

I would like to know if I can trust the informations on your website and if there are all the second level german school in.

Answer

of course you can trust the informations on our website. Schulweb.de is run by the German Institute for International Educational Research and FWU Institute for Film in Education. Our database is not a complete listing of all schools in Germany, because schools do register themselves. You can find further databases of schools in the german Bundesländer visiting our website http://bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=144

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Human rights education in Germany

Question

please send me any information about Human Rights Education in germany through educational policy school or learning environment

Anser

As the German Education Server offers references to online information only, I would like to point you out to our bilingual dossier on Human Rights Education, which provides a compilation of relevant sources with a focus on policy and education (Germany, European Union), see http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=5784

You might also find the HRE site provided by the German UNESCO office useful, see http://www.unesco.de/menschenrechte.html?L=1

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Graduation requirements at secondary schools

Question

I am a high school student with a project to find out what are the graduation requiremets of schools outside the US. I am wondering where can I find the information to the graduation requirement to graduate secondary education in Germany. If it is located on the site, may I recieve help to be lead to the information I am seeking?

Answer

For general information about the German education system see: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=505 Some resources are also available in English. A compilation of solely English resources can be found at: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=4112

Detailed information about graduation requirements is more difficult to find and I am afraid not available in English. In Germany you can leave secondary school at the age of 15 (9 school years), 16 (10 school years) or 18/19 (12 or 13 school years, depends on the state). At the end of 12/13 years there are exams (in German: Abitur) that qualify for university. Each of the 16 federal states has its own rules but there are exam requirements along the same lines for all subjects (called Einheitliche Pruefungsanforderungen in der Abiturpruefung) that you can find at: http://www.kmk.org/doc/publ/pub.htm#faecher The texts are only in German.

The states have recently introduced exams for school leavers after 9 and 10 years but as far as I know there are no common exam requirements yet. To find out about the details for all graduation levels mentioned you best consult the respective ministries of education: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=580

Of interest might also be our collection of information on standards in education: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=1584 The federal states have developed standards to be met by different age groups. The achievement of these standards is tested on a regular basis. The actual information is only in German as well.

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Compulsory education in the secondary sector in Germany

Question

I am researching Vocational Training in Germany for the purpose of formulating a proposal for my school.

I cannot find anywhere precisely up to what age secondary education is compulsory, although I assume this to be 16.

The Hauptschule takes a student to year 9, after which year 10 is voluntary. I assume, however, that in any case after year 9 a student must continue somewhere to complete Secondary Level 1. However, the Hauptschule description does not actually state that further (vocational?) education is compulsory.

Nevertheless, under the heading of Berufsaufbauschulen reference is made to Berufsschulpflicht (English translation: part-time vocational training, whereas in fact the Berufsgrundbildungsjahr can be full-time). If all this refers to Hauptschule followed by Berufsgrundbildungsjahr and/or Duale Berufsausbildung (compulsory for how long – I guess 2 years?), then the text does not make that very clear to me.

Answer

Unfortunately the system of vocational training in Germany is rather complicated and not exactly the same in the different Bundesländer, may be, this causes some uncertainty. I am not quite sure, which document you refer to, I suppose that it is probably this one http://www.bmbf.de/pub/bildung_in_deutschland.pdf Education in Germany : Basic structure of the education system of the Federal Republic of Germany

More detailed information is given in two other documents (see below) to which I refer in the following.

The Education System in the Federal Republic of Germany 2006 http://www.kmk.org/dossier/home00.htm National dossier http://www.kmk.org/dossier/dossierinhalt.htm , drawn up by the Secretariat of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (Kultusministerkonferenz KMK) each year since 1993 as part of the Information Network on Education in Europe (EURYDICE).

http://www.trainingvillage.gr/etv/Upload/Information_resources/Bookshop/465/5173_en.pdf Vocational education and training in Germany. Short description By: European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop), the European Union's reference Centre for vocational education and training

Concerning compulsory education, see the following statements:

“Lower secondary level covers the age group of pupils between 10 and 15/16 years old and upper secondary level the pupils between 15/16 and 18/19 years old. Both age groups are required to attend school: the former full-time, the latter, 15- to 19-year-olds, generally parttime for three years or until they have reached the age of 18, unless they are attending a fulltime school” (KMK Dossier, 5.5, p. 106, http://www.kmk.org/dossier/secondary.pdf)

“Compulsory full-time education begins at the age of six and lasts nine years (or ten years, depending on the Land). After that young people who are no longer in full-time education must attend a part-time (vocational) school for three years. To simplify, in Germany compulsory education exists for persons aged 6-18 and for trainees in the dual system (even if they are over 18).“ (Cedefop, p. 22, http://www.trainingvillage.gr/etv/Upload/Information_resources/Bookshop/465/5173_en.pdf)

Differences between the Bundesländer, see:

“Specific legislative framework. Secondary schools providing general and vocational education Based on the Education Acts (R70, R72, R74, R76, R78, R81, R83, R85, R87-88, R90, R92, R98, R100-102) and Compulsory Schooling Acts (R93) of the German Länder the school regulations known as Schulordnungen for schools providing general and vocational education contain detailed regulations covering the content of the courses as well as the leaving certificates and entitlements obtainable on completion of lower and upper secondary education.” (KMK-Dossier, 5.3, p. 104, http://www.kmk.org/dossier/secondary.pdf)

The systems of vocational education in the Bundesländer differ from each other and some types of school only exist in a few Länder. The following documents give an overview, but unfortunately most of the information is only available in German

http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=524 Types of school in vocational education

http://infobub.arbeitsagentur.de/bbz/modul1/modul_1_6.html Schulabschlüsse - Bundesländer

In case additional information is required, you could contact the Kultusministerkonferenz KMK, see http://www.kmk.org/beruf/home1.htm Berufliche Bildung im Sekretariat der Kultusministerkonferenz Email: berufsbildung@kmk.org

2. Question

As far as the formal system goes, this is now fully understood. It looks as though after the 2-year bridge, at year 7, students can go in three different directions, of which the Hauptschule is the least academically rigorous.

This still leaves the question of what to do with those who really cannot cope with even this lesser regime, and strictly speaking should go into vocational education immediately at year 7, of course combined with suitable academic instruction.

I believe that in The Netherlands this is now finally recognised with the introduction of “practical education”, and I wonder whether in Germany a similar development is envisaged.

It is this that I hope to encourage in my school, although the formal state system makes no provision for this, all pupils going to the same comprehensive (not to be confused with your Gesamtschule) after year 6. This of course is the cause of much of the UK’s educational problems and continues to stimulate private schools.

2. Answer

Unfortunately I am not familiar with the programme of "practical education" introduced in the Netherlands, you mention. I am not quite sure if this refers only to Benachteiligtenförderung, the promotion of disadvantaged youths or also to special education. Support measures in special education see below

http://www.kmk.org/dossier/special.pdf Information on specific support measures and special educational support at special schools, schools for children with learning difficulties (KMK Dossier, 10.5.3., p. 258; 10.6., p. 259).

There is also a number of support measures and projects concerning Benachteiligtenförderung, most of them on an individual basis, I suppose. The following institutions are concerned with Benachteiligtenförderung and also conceive support measures. Perhaps you could contact them, in case you need more detailed information.

http://www.good-practice.de/gpc_flyer_engl.pdf Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung BIBB: Good Practice Centre GPC - an instrument of occupational integration. "With its Good Practice Centre (GPC) for the assistance of disadvantaged individuals in vocational training, Germany has equipped itself with a tool that could be relevant for other countries, too. Since its establishment in 2000 the GPC has grown into a major centre of excellence for assistance for the disadvantaged. It is attached to BIBB and can be accessed on the Internet at www.good-practice.de. "

http://www.dji.de/cgi-bin/projekte/output.php?projekt=466&sprache=E Deutsches Jugendinstitut (DJI): Department: Transitions to Work

http://www.en.inbas.com/ Institute for Vocational Training, Labour Market and Social Policy. Research - Planning - Consultancy - INBAS GmbH

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Level of education - immigrants and their descendants

Question

I am looking for statistics on the level of education for Immigrants and especially their descendants. Do you have statistics on this, or do you know where I should look?

Answer

General resources on education statistics can be found on page http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=26

The page "Education and migration" assembles all the information available on our server concerning this topic: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=4392

Of special interest might be:

The 1. National Education Report for Germany that focusses on migration: http://www.bildungsbericht.de/zeigen.html?seite=6129

PISA 2003: The situation of immigrant children http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=4271

Report on the situation of foreigners in Germany (by the Federal Government Commissioner for Migration, Refugees, and Integration) http://www.bundesregierung.de/nn_56708/Content/DE/Publikation/IB/7-auslaenderbericht.html

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Working time of physics teachers

Question

I’m writing you regarding physics teachers teaching load in your primary and secondary school. Since Croatia is going through educational reform, we would like to have certain data from other countries so we can compare it with our country.

So it would be very helpful and useful if you could answer on the following questions:

1) How many hours a week of direct teaching load do physics teachers have in your country in primary and secondary school?

2) What is the norm of other working obligations physics teachers have in your country in primary and secondary school (specifically for advanced classes and remedial work classes)?

3) What is the teaching load of physics teachers in primary and secondary school in comparison to other subject teachers?

4) What is the ratio between theoretical – teaching and lab work at physics classes?

Just to give you an idea, in Croatia, physics teachers have 22 hours a week of direct teaching load in both primary and secondary school. Norm of other working obligations is 18 hours a week (preparation, monitoring, advanced classes, remedial work classes, free activities, and so on). It is not exactly determined how many hours a week should go for advanced classes and remedial work classes. Full working norm is 40 hours a week.

In comparison to other subject teachers, they have two hours more of direct teaching load than mother tongue and math teacher, one hour more than foreign language teacher, and two hours less than physical education teachers. Teaching load of all other subject teachers is the same as physics teachers teaching load.

Answer

As Germany is a federal state and each state has its own education system and legal framework I would advise you to directly contact the respective ministries of education for information about working hours for teachers. The addresses can be found at: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=580

The teachers' unions and associations can also provide you with information. A list can be found at: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=666 The "Gewerkschaft Erziehung und Wissenschaft" even offers an overview of working hours in the federal states by school types, though not specifically for the different subjects: http://www.gew.de/Binaries/Binary27967/SYN%20Pflichtstunden%202007-04.pdf

Another contact address could be the German association of mathematic and science teachers ("Deutscher Verein zur Förderung des mathematischen und naturwissenschaftlichen Unterrichts e.V."): http://www.mnu.de/ The person responsible for physics teachers is: Gerwald.Heckmann@mnu.de

Information on working time of teachers in Europe can also be found at Eurydice: http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/Eurydice/ByTopicsResults?topicCode=aace&subTopicCode=aaef

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Cooperation in teacher education with Lithuania

Question

We are training centre located in Lithuania. We are looking for partners for our teacher’s qualification improvement (construction sector).

Answer

Please note that Deutscher Bildungsserver is no training centre but an internet guide to education related information on the internet that only provides online information on the german education system. Therefore there are no opportunities for cooperation we could offer. Enclosed we send you some internet links to institutions concerned with cooperation in vocational training. We hope, this can help you.

http://www.bgz-berlin.de/en/bgz.shtml BGZ Berlin International Cooperation Agency GmbH

http://www.imove-germany.org/en/about-imove-199.html IMOVE information and guidance centre (information on vocational training, cooperation exchange)

http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-programme/doc82_en.htm Leonardo da Vinci programme

http://studyvisits.cedefop.europa.eu/index.asp?cid=1&artid=&scid=&artlang=EN Cedefop: Study visits

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Special education needs support/ special needs schools in Hesse

Question

I am writing in assist of a client seeking information on possible enrollment of his special needs son. As my client will relocate to the Frankfurt area, the need is for enrollment in the upper school or high school of the Frankfurt Education School system. However, my client's son does have certain special education needs and we are having great difficulty learning of the availability of special education programming within the Frankfurt Public or Private Education system.

It will be of great help were someone at the Institute able to provide us with some basic guidance in respect of the system of special education programming in the German public school system. If it is not possible, but you can suggest contacts in the school system that too will be appreciated.

Answer

Special education schools in the federal state of Hessen are called "Foerderschule" and are subdivided according to the type of disability (i.e. schools for children with learning difficulties, schools for the blind, speech impairment etc.) One type is called "Schule fuer Erziehungshilfe" (for those with social and emotional deficits and behaviour problems). As I am not an expert in special needs education I cannot say for certain whether this would be the right type of school for your client's son or the "Schule fuer Lernhilfe" (learning difficulties). Very often students with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder go to a regular school.

For advice on the school system in Hessen and the right school in the Frankfurt area you best contact the "Staatliche Schulamt Frankfurt" (education authority for Frankfurt): http://www.schulamt-frankfurt.hessen.de/

There is a support system for students with special needs and part of it are the "Beratungs- und Foerderzentren (BFZ)" (centres for advice and support, located at the special schools). I found one in Frankfurt for the above mentioned "Erziehungshilfe": http://www.schulserver.hessen.de/frankfurt/berthold-simonsohn/index.htm Maybe they can help you further. Here is an address list of all centres: http://www.kultusministerium.hessen.de/irj/servlet/prt/portal/prtroot/slimp.CMReader/HKM_15/HKM_Internet/med/960/9605ca88-f9a5-711f-3efe-f91921321b2c,22222222-2222-2222-2222-222222222222,true.pdf (unfortunately without e-mail or web address) You can search for the schools with advice centres and their homepages via the school database: http://schule.bildung.hessen.de/info/daten1

For general information about special needs education in Hessen you can consult the education server for Hessen: http://sonderpaedagogik.bildung.hessen.de/news/index.html or the ministry of education in Hessen: http://www.kultusministerium.hessen.de/irj/HKM_Internet?cid=9826175756adc83044fc071c043ee224

Unfortunately all the information is only available in German, but usually you will find a contact person who can communicate in English.

General texts about special needs education in Germany in English can be found at: http://www.european-agency.org/site/national_pages/germany/index.html and http://www.kmk.org/dokumentation/das-bildungswesen-in-der-bundesrepublik-deutschland/dossier-englisch/publikation-zum-download.html

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School leaving exam and school fees in Germany

Question

I would like to know more about the examination fee system in your country. Many thanks for your advice and help in advance!

l What is the official or formal name of “secondary school leaving public examination” in your country?

l What are the age and grade of students attending “secondary school leaving public examination” in your country?

l For the “secondary school leaving public examination”, How many subjects and how much examination fee they have to pay in total so that they can fulfill the basic requirement to move on to the next stage , if any, such as university entry examination?

l For the domestic students, do they have to self-finance the entire exam fee (“secondary school leaving public examination”) on their own?

l Does your government pay or subsidize partially or fully the examination fee of secondary school leaving public examination for the domestic students?

l Can the domestic students (without disability and special needs) apply some financial aid to cover public examination fee from the government?

l How about the international students? Do they have to pay the “secondary school leaving public examination” fee in full?

l Besides, how many years of free education are provided for the domestic students?

Answer

Here are the answers to your questions:

1) What is the official or formal name of “secondary school leaving public examination” in your country?

There are several secondary school leaving certificates, depending on how long you stay at a secondary school and what type of school you go to. The exam that qualifies pupils to attend a university is called "Abitur" or "Allgemeine Hochschulreife".

2) What are the age and grade of students attending “secondary school leaving public examination” in your country?

When pupils take that exam (Abitur) they are about 18 or 19 years old and in school year 12 or 13. Again this depends on the federal state in which you go to school and the type of school you attend.

3) For the “secondary school leaving public examination”, How many subjects and how much examination fee they have to pay in total so that they can fulfill the basic requirement to move on to the next stage , if any, such as university entry examination?

The Abitur exam comprises four or five subjects (at least three written exam subjects and one oral exam subject). Detailed information about the Abitur can be found on the website of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany (unfortunately only in German): http://www.kmk.org/bildung-schule/allgemeine-bildung/abitur/abiturpruefung-in-der-gymnasialen-oberstufe.html

There are no examination fees for school leaving exams in Germany. There are school fees if you attend a private school.

4) For the domestic students, do they have to self-finance the entire exam fee (“secondary school leaving public examination”) on their own?

See question 3.

5) Does your government pay or subsidize partially or fully the examination fee of secondary school leaving public examination for the domestic students?

See question 3.

6) Can the domestic students (without disability and special needs) apply some financial aid to cover public examination fee from the government?

There is general financial support for pupils who are in need.

7) How about the international students? Do they have to pay the “secondary school leaving public examination” fee in full?

I do not know whether there are any fees for exchange pupils who take the school leaving exam in Germany. The respective ministries of education will be able to tell you: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=580

8) Besides, how many years of free education are provided for the domestic students?

When you attend a state school the education is free from primary school to the final school leaving exam. Private schools charge fees.

For general information about the German education system you can find internet resources on the following page: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=506 Some of the websites are available in English.

Glossary on the educational system in the Federal Republic of Germany: http://www.bildungsserver.de/glossar.html?sp=1

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Schools in Nordrhein-Westfalen, tips for school excursions

Question

I want to ask you if you have a list with adresses or email adresses from the schools in Nordrhein Westfalen? Do you maybe have information about were these schools go to for excursion? I hope you have more information or some tips for me

Answer

You can search for schools in Nordrhein-Westfalen via the following website: http://www.schulministerium.nrw.de/BP/_suche1/SchuleSuchen/index.html

The ministry also offers a website with tips for excursions and school trips: http://www.schulministerium.nrw.de/BP/Andere_Lernorte__Ausflugstipps/index.html There is also a database of destinations.

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Foreign languages at German schools

Question

I'd like to know about a specific aspect of the German school system, : the presence of modern languages in the curricula of the primary and secondary schools.

1. How many languages 2. How many periods per week (or per year) 3. What languages 4. Who cotrols the levels of learning (only the techer, any external authoruty?) 5. What the output of language teaching is.

Answer

As Germany is a federal state with 16 school systems I can only give general hints and information as the situation can differ in each state. For detailed information you best contact the respective ministries of education: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=580

The Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany offers an overview of foreign language teaching in Germany (in German only): http://www.kmk.org/bildung-schule/allgemeine-bildung/faecher-und-unterrichtsinhalte/fremdsprachen.html You should contact them as well.

They also provide general information in English on the education system: http://www.kmk.org/information-in-english/the-education-system-in-the-federal-republic-of-germany.html

Foreign language teaching at primary school is a new development, schools usually offer basics in English or French. Not all primary schools offer foreign languages.

Secondary schools usually teach one or two languages (in most cases English and/or French), those that qualify for university education teach two or more languages (English, French, Latin, Spanish, Russian and several others). The succession, number and kind of languages can vary.

Some schools are specialised in bilingual teaching or put an emphasis on language teaching, e.g. Europe schools/Europaschulen (not to be confused with European schools/Europäische Schulen that are founded by the governments of Europe) Portal on bilingual learning in Germany: http://lernen.bildung.hessen.de/bilingual/ Europe at school: http://www2.dipf.de/bildungsinformation/izb_bildungweltweit_dossier_europa_in_der_schule.htm

Basically the teachers control the level of learning according to the curriculum and other regulations. Over the last years education monitoring has been developed: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=4599 and most states now have standards' tests at certain stages.

General resources on the German education system (some are available in English): http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=505

Via Eurydice http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/Eurydice you can find comparative studies on foreign language teaching in Europe.

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Environmental education in Germany / school organisation

Question

I work for a Environmental organisation who are currently researching the possibility of developing a programme working with teachers in Germany to promote environmental issues in the classroom. I wondered if you would be able to help me with the below questions,

When are school terms in Germany?

When are teacher holidays?

If we were to provide a week long learning programme would schools be willing to release teachers or would they need to attend this in their holiday time?

How motivated are teachers to promote environmental issues in the classroom?

Are teachers willing to give up their spare time outside school time?

Are there are initiatives in schools to be the environment, conservation or ecology?

Do you know of any Environmental Educational organisations working in Germany?

Answer

I hope the following information is in some way helpful to you, even though I am afraid I might not be able to anser all of your questions:

The academic school year in Germany is organised in terms of a school year with usually six two weeks’ holiday at Christmas and Easter respectively, an autumn break and six weeks of summer holidays. These are not fixed as the German school system is subject to 16 federal states so the summer holidays may begin any time starting mid June upp until late July, with a duration of six weeks /(ending from early August to September accordingly). Please see the following documentation by EURYDICE for details:

Organisation of school time in Europe. Primary and secondary education 2007/2008. http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/Eurydice/showPresentation?p ubid=092EN

Another useful source is the Standing Conference of Ministers of Cultural Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany (KMK), which is in charge of co-ordinating, administrating and policy-making in the area of primary and secondary eduction in Germany. For its English language resources, see http://www.kmk.org/information-in-english/the-education-system-in-the-federal-republic-of-germany.html

see, in particular, the country description http://www.kmk.org/fileadmin/doc/Dokumentation/Bildungswesen_en_pdfs/dossier_en_ebook.pdf

which will provide you with information regarding the organisation of school times, curricula, general and vocational education in Germans. See, for instance, the chapter on teaching methods and material – 5.14, p. 124

Genreally speaking, environmental education is very much an issue in German schools and it is subject to diverse disciplines/subjects and projects. As the curricula are laid down by the 16 states (Länder), it is difficult to make general statements as to teacher motivation, the time spent by teachers on the subject of environmental issues (climate change), or whether teachers would have to work on this topic in their spare time. These aspects might vry considerbly from one federal state to the next, the following site provides you with an index of the 16 Länder states and might be useful for contacts: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=612

For more details on the special issue of environmental education,see our English language dossier:

Environmental education in Germany http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=5592

One reference of particular interest is: German Institutes concerned with sustainable development: http://www.bildungsserver.de/zeigen_e.html?seite=870 - click on to “details” to check for addresses. - see, for instance, the German NGO forum on environment and development http://www.forum-ue.de/index.php?id=3&L=1

Personally, I believe that teachers and pupils alike show a significant interest in the environment and issues such as climate change or renewable energies. One problem might be that workload is high and I am not particularly sure in how far they would be able to spend a week’s coursework within the curriucular framework on related training.

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