The German school system through the eyes of a student Lena. Written with the help of Zeynep Acharya, who teaches in Hamburg, with inputs from various official internet sites
Lena
sits at her classroom window, gazing out at the gray schoolyard. It's her last
day at the Realschule (Intermediate school) in Hamburg, and while her
classmates talk loudly about the upcoming summer holidays, Lena reflects on her
journey – a journey that has led her through the many facets of the German
school system.
Since
both her parents had to work and they had no close relatives who could take
care of her, Lena had started going to the nearby Kindergarden at the age of
just 3. The Kindergarden was a happy place to be in and Lena still fondly
remembers her teachers (Were they really 'teachers', Lena wondered; at least they
were not like the teachers she had later at school; perhaps 'carers' would be a
better word, she imagined) and the fun time they had playing outside in the
sand or splashing each other with water in the summer heat, or inside with her
friends. Then after a year of Pre-school
in her third year there, Lena joined the Grundschule (Elementary school).
1: The Beginning – Elementary School
Lena was
born in a small district of Hamburg. At the age of six, she started Grundschule
(primary/elementary school), which is compulsory for all children in Germany
and usually lasts four years. There, she learned reading, writing, and arithmetic—but
also how to be part of a group and yet retain her own sense of identity.
"I
still remember Mrs. Schneider, my first teacher. She taught me that mistakes
are important because you learn from them."
Primary school is the first stage of the education
system in Germany. Students are typically accompanied by the same class teacher
throughout their entire primary school years. After the fourth grade, they are
recommended to join one of the three (even four) different types of secondary
school—a pivotal moment for many children.
There
are now many all-day elementary schools in Germany where, after a lunch break
in the school cafeteria, homework is done in the afternoon, followed by leisure
activities. At Lena's elementary school, there was the opportunity to play
music in the afternoon, as well as to participate in creative activities such
as painting and crafts, as well as sports and physical training such as dance,
yoga, track & field. Lena still fondly remembers how much she enjoyed those
afternoon activities and how much she enjoyed doing things together with her
school friends.
2: The Decision – Which School Type?
At the
end of her primary school, Lena had to choose which kind of secondary school she would like to join in Grade 5. She
would have to choose one; the choices were:
•
Hauptschule (High school) – practice-oriented, graduation after Grade 9 or 10
•
Realschule (Intermediate school) leading to Intermediate School Certificate
after Grade 10
•
Gymnasium (Higher Secondary school) leading to Abitur (Higher Secondary Certificate/
university entrance qualification) after Grade 12 or 13
•
Gesamtschule (Comprehensive school) – a combination of the above
Lena was
a good student, but her performance was not always consistent. Her teacher
recommended the Realschule (Intermediate school) – a school type between
Hauptschule (High school) and Gymnasium (Higher Secondary school). Lena's
parents agreed with the teacher's recommendation. Lena wanted to pursue
something in design later on – for this, she needed at least Mittlerer Schulabschluss
(intermediate school certificate). So she was happy with the choice her teacher
and parents had made for her.
But the
system wasn't always fair, she felt – her friend Aylin, who was very creative,
didn't receive a recommendation for Gymnasium because her maths grade was too
low.
"I
often feel that grades don't reflect everything. Aylin would have excelled at
Gymnasium if she'd been given the chance."
3: Challenges and Opportunities in the
Realschule
Realschule
was a place of growth for Lena. She learned new subjects like chemistry,
economics, and computer science. She especially enjoyed Art and German. Lena
was an average student in her class. In the last years, she had got middle range
grades in her exams. She enjoyed doing her projects, written exams were also
not so bad, but being a rather shy person, she got very nervous with her oral
exams. She needed to work on that.
Since
she spent a better part of the day in school, Lena not only continued to be
friends with the few, like Aylin, who she knew already from the Grundschule,
but she also made many new friends in the last years and she hopes she will
manage to keep them for the rest of her life. The mornings were spent in
regular classes, but after lunch, which she had in the school cafeteria, the
real fun began. First they completed their home work with the help of the
supervising teacher. Then it was Club time – Lena had joined the Music Club and
was part of the school choir. Besides the music, it also gave her
self-confidence and a sense of pride. She had performed as part of the choir in
their School Farewell programme just recently. She was also interested in
learning English and tried to speak English with her friend Julie, who was
British and had lived there till recently. They often played 'language-tandem' together, Julie helped Lena with her spoken English while Lena tried to help
Julie with German grammar.
What
Lena remembers very fondly even till today is the one-week skii-ing holiday
that her class been taken for in January of her 6th Grade in school.
That was an enchanted week of late night pillow fights, and skiing lessons and
snowball fights during the day. If today she knows how to ski, it was only
because of that one week that was gifted to her from the school and her
parents. Her parents would never have been able to afford such a holiday on
their own and although they had to contribute towards the expenses of the trip,
most of it was paid for by the school.
4: The Next Step – Vocational School or
University?
After
finishing her Realschule, Lena faced another decision: Should she start an
apprenticeship at a vocational school (Berufsschule) or attend a technical
college (Fachoberschule) to later obtain the Fachabitur (Technical higher
secondary school diploma)? The possible places where she could study Design
were not very many – it was a new subject, she was told. But that is why she
wanted to learn it, she told her parents. She loved art, and she was good at
the computer. She hoped to be able to combine both and turn it into a career.
Finally,
she chose a course in the technical college for design near her home; that would
mean she could commute from home (and hence not have to pay for accommodation); that would also enable her to study at a (Technical) university, if she wished to, later on. She
was happy that her parents supported her with this decision. She knew some of
her friends had had a hard time convincing their parents about what they wanted
to do. Also because, although most courses that one joined after school were
still free, students who moved out to another city needed help (either from
parents or from the state) to pay for their living expenses.
Educational paths after finishing Realschule
(Intermediate secondary school)
Path Graduation Perspective
Berufsschule Vocational qualification Direct entry into the job market
(Vocational School)
Fachoberschule Fachabitur Fachhochschule
(Technical
college) (Technical university),
Vocational
Gymnasium Abitur (with vocational University studies
training) with
professional qualification
Gymnasium
Oberstufe Abitur University studies
5: Reflection and looking ahead
Today,
on the last day of her time at Realschule, Lena knows that her path hasn't been
straightforward—but it has been her own. The German school system offers many
opportunities, but also many hurdles. It was important for Lena to have
teachers who encouraged her and parents who trusted her.
After
completing her vocational high school diploma, Lena wants to spend a year
abroad to improve her English skills and gain new experiences before starting
her studies at a technical university. There are many ways to spend a year abroad.
Therefore, she attends a ‘Gap-year Fair’ in which various companies and
organisations are participating There, she can obtain a wealth of information
and tips for a year abroad.
Some
programs require paying a fee, such as trips to improve language skills.
However, there are also other options for going abroad such as applying for a
job as an Au pair (a Governess) or financing it through work and travel.
Perhaps
she'll also get her driver's license afterward. However, she would definitely
need a job to do this, as the costs for getting a license have risen
significantly.
Since
both Lena's parents work, she will likely receive little or no student loan
(BAföG) for her further studies. However, she is optimistic that she will
find a way to finance her studies. Her parents have already promised to support
Lena as best they can. During the semester break, she can also take on summer
jobs to afford extras like vacations.
Lena's
future is full of exciting possibilities and opportunities. She's confident
she'll make her way!
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