Deutschlandlabor – Folge 1: Schule

Goethe-Institut

24 Sept 201505:19

Summary

TLDRThe video script explores life in German schools through the lens of Nina and David from 'Deutschlandlabor.' They visit a school, learn about different subjects, the variety of school lunches, and the diversity of languages spoken by students from international backgrounds. Key topics include favorite subjects like English, sports, and math, and a classroom debate on globalization. The video highlights how students participate in modern and interactive lessons, engage in sports, and celebrate cultural diversity, making the school environment dynamic and engaging.

Takeaways

🏫 German schools vary by state, with all children attending primary school until 4th or 6th grade.
📚 After primary school, students diverge into different types of schools based on their grades, culminating in the Abitur for university entrance.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The video features a visit to Aggertal-Gymnasium in Engelskirchen, showcasing a typical school day.
🏀 Physical education, including sports like basketball, is a popular subject in German schools.
🍽️ School cafeterias offer a range of food options, from snacks to hot meals, often prepared by volunteer parents.
🌐 The school curriculum includes discussions on global topics like globalization, encouraging student participation.
🏛️ The school environment is modern and flexible, with students actively participating in lessons.
👩‍🏫 In some classes, students take on teaching roles, such as giving presentations, preparing them for future academic or professional settings.
🌍 The school community is diverse, with many students from different countries, leading to a rich variety of languages spoken.
🏅 The video concludes with a friendly competition among students to translate 'I love you' into as many languages as possible, highlighting the school's linguistic talents.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?
-The main topic of the video is the German school system, including various aspects of schooling in Germany.
How do German schools vary across different regions?
-German schools vary by region, as each federal state has slightly different systems. However, all children start in elementary school (Grundschule) until the 4th or 6th grade, after which they are placed in different schools based on their grades.
What is the highest level of secondary school qualification in Germany?
-The highest level of secondary school qualification in Germany is the 'Abitur,' which allows students to attend university.
What subjects do students at Aggertal-Gymnasium enjoy the most?
-At Aggertal-Gymnasium, students mentioned enjoying subjects like English, sports, art, math, politics, history, and Spanish.
What sports activities are taught at the Aggertal-Gymnasium?
-Sports activities at Aggertal-Gymnasium include athletics, gymnastics, ball sports, and swimming with the 6th-grade classes.
What type of discussion activity was happening during the German class?
-During the German class, students participated in a panel discussion (Podiumsdiskussion), where four students debated a topic, with two taking the pro side and two taking the contra side.
How does the school's cafeteria (Mensa) function?
-In the school's cafeteria, students can buy snacks like sandwiches and yogurt during breaks. For the main lunch break, they can order hot meals in advance.
What kind of food is served at the school cafeteria?
-The school cafeteria serves a variety of food, ranging from typical German dishes like schnitzel to international cuisine like curry, pizza, and lasagna.
How do students learn in the school's computer science class?
-In the computer science class, students sometimes take on the role of teaching, as seen when Pia gave a presentation to her classmates, helping them learn from each other.
How diverse is the student body at Aggertal-Gymnasium?
-The student body is quite diverse, with many students coming from families with international backgrounds. During one activity, students translated 'I love you' into 22-23 different languages.

Outlines

00:00

🏫 German Education System Insights

The video script introduces the German education system with a focus on schools. Nina and David from 'Deutschlandlabor' explore the topic of 'School' in Germany, highlighting the differences in school systems across various federal states. They discuss the structure of German schools, starting with Grundschule for all children up to the 4th or 6th grade, followed by different types of schools based on students' grades. The highest school-leaving certificate is the Abitur, which allows students to attend university. The script then transitions to a visit to the Aggertal-Gymnasium in Engelskirchen, where they meet students Pia and Johannes who show them around the school. They discuss favorite subjects, which include English, Art, Sports, Physics, and Politics. The script also covers physical education, with a focus on basketball, and mentions that in some German schools, boys and girls participate in sports together. The variety of sports taught at the school is listed, including athletics, gymnastics, and team sports, with swimming for younger classes. The video also touches on the school's canteen, where students can buy snacks or pre-order hot meals, and the food ranges from traditional German dishes to international cuisine like curry, pizza, and lasagna.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Schule

In German, 'Schule' translates to 'school' in English. It is central to the video's theme as it explores the German educational system. The script mentions different types of schools in Germany, such as Grundschule (elementary school) and Gymnasium (high school), and the various educational paths students can take after elementary school, which is a critical aspect of the German educational landscape.

💡Abitur

The 'Abitur' is the highest secondary school qualification in Germany, which allows students to attend university. It is a key concept in the video as it represents the culmination of a student's secondary education and is necessary for higher education. The script discusses the Abitur as a significant milestone that students aim to achieve to pursue their academic and professional goals.

💡Globalisierung

The term 'Globalisierung' refers to 'globalization' in English. It is relevant to the video's theme as it is a topic discussed in a German language class, indicating the integration of current global issues into the curriculum. The script describes a classroom discussion on globalization, showcasing how schools address contemporary topics and prepare students to engage with the world beyond their immediate environment.

💡Mensa

A 'Mensa' is a cafeteria or dining hall, particularly within the context of a school or university in Germany. The script describes the school's cafeteria where students have their lunch break, highlighting the social aspect of mealtime and the variety of food options available, which includes both traditional German meals and international cuisines, reflecting the school's diverse community.

💡Sportunterricht

'Sportunterricht' translates to 'physical education' or 'PE class' in English. It is one of the favorite subjects among students, as mentioned in the script. The video emphasizes the importance of physical education in German schools, where students engage in various sports, such as basketball, athletics, and swimming, contributing to a well-rounded education that values both academic and physical development.

💡Podiumsdiskussion

A 'Podiumsdiskussion' refers to a 'panel discussion' in English. The script describes a classroom activity where students participate in a panel discussion on a given topic, with some students arguing for and others against. This method of learning encourages critical thinking, debate skills, and active student participation, which are essential for preparing students for academic and professional environments.

💡Informatik-Unterricht

The term 'Informatik-Unterricht' translates to 'computer science class' or 'IT class' in English. The script mentions an IT class where a student, not the teacher, is at the front giving a presentation. This approach to teaching allows students to learn from their peers and gain experience in presenting, which is a valuable skill for university and the professional world.

💡Sprachtalente

'Sprachtalente' means 'language talents' in English. The video highlights the linguistic diversity within the school, where students speak multiple languages. The script includes a game where students translate 'I love you' into as many languages as possible, showcasing the school's commitment to fostering language skills and cultural awareness among its students.

💡Flexibilität

The German word 'Flexibilität' translates to 'flexibility' in English. It is used in the context of describing the modern and adaptable nature of the school's teaching methods. The script praises the school for allowing students to actively participate in shaping their education, which is a reflection of a flexible and student-centered approach to learning.

💡Ehrenamtliche Mütter

The term 'Ehrenamtliche Mütter' refers to 'volunteer mothers' in English. The script mentions these volunteer mothers as the ones who prepare and serve food in the school's cafeteria. This highlights the community involvement and the importance of parental support in the school's operations, contributing to a nurturing and supportive educational environment.

Highlights

Introduction to the topic of 'School' in Germany by Nina and David from Deutschlandlabor.

Variations in school systems across different German states.

All children attend elementary school until 4th or 6th grade.

Students proceed to different schools based on their grades after elementary school.

The highest school leaving certificate is the 'Abitur', which allows university entrance.

Visit to Aggertal-Gymnasium in Engelskirchen with students Pia and Johannes.

Students' favorite subjects range from English and Art to Sports and Physics.

Physical Education is a popular subject, with co-ed classes in some schools.

Nina and David try basketball during their school visit.

Discussion on the sports taught in school, including athletics, gymnastics, and team sports.

German lessons on the topic of 'Globalization' with a podium discussion format.

Description of the school cafeteria and its operation during lunch breaks.

The cafeteria offers a variety of food from traditional German meals to international cuisine.

Students can play outside during breaks.

Informatik lesson where a student, Pia, leads a presentation instead of the teacher.

The school has many students from diverse backgrounds, speaking multiple languages.

A language activity where students translate 'I love you' into as many languages as possible.

Nina and Pia collect the phrase in 22 languages, while Johannes and David in 23, winning the activity.

Reflections on the modern and flexible nature of German schools and the active role of students in their education.

Final thoughts on the school visit, including the quality of the cafeteria and the linguistic diversity encountered.