Expanded support for German Language instruction in educational institutions is now twice the original amount, as per the latest government announcements.
In the educational landscape of Germany, a significant challenge has arisen: the ongoing teacher shortage. This issue is particularly prevalent in the realm of German language support, with as many as 48,400 compulsory school students currently in need of assistance.
The high demand for German language support has prompted the launch of a catch-up campaign. This initiative aims to provide additional resources to help students who are struggling with the language. However, finding the teaching staff required to expand these support systems will undoubtedly be a challenge.
To address this challenge, several measures have been proposed. The number of teacher positions dedicated to German language support will be increased, and accompanying measures for language support will also be strengthened.
The need for German language support is not limited to specific regions. Across Germany, particularly in urban areas, the number of students requiring assistance has seen a significant increase. This trend has been particularly noticeable, with 23% of first-graders in primary schools requiring language support.
To ensure accurate placement of students in German language support classes, the MIKA-D test, which determines a student's language proficiency, will be made more accurate. Furthermore, more offers for German as a second or foreign language will be available in teacher training.
The Minister of Education driving these improvement measures in Hesse is Armin Schwarz. In Hesse, where over 650 million euros are invested annually in support measures including German pre-courses for children with language deficits before school enrollment, the strongest increases in the number of support positions for German language assistance are expected.
Since 2021, there has been a 54% increase in the number of students requiring German language support. This underscores the urgency of the situation and the need for effective solutions. The initiatives outlined above represent a step towards addressing this pressing issue and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive in their educational journey.
