The Traditional Concept

English is the first foreign language at our school and is offered as both ‘Leistungskurs’ and ‘Grundkurs’ in the final years of school.  It can be taken in the final year, or ‘Abitur’, as a written-exam based subject, or as a fourth subject with an oral exam.

The school has at its disposal extensive media facilities.  Overseas trips allow learning and theory to become lived experiences.  This is why we undertake a regular student exchange with Queen Mary’s College in Basingstoke (Hampshire) in year 11.  Especially positive is also the geographical proximity to London, with consequent chances to visit, and the fact that the English exchange partners are students of German, so that personal contacts can further develop based on common experiences.  Student trips to England are also offered within the framework of years 12 and 13.

The Expanded Offer as of the School Year 2000/2001: The German-English Bilingual Stream

The growing together of Europe in our time means that it is now the particular task of schools to equip young people with the skills to participate in particular in professional situations, using foreign languages.  This goal should be achieved through the offering of bilingual content-based subjects.  That means that non-language subjects, in our case Geography, Biology and World Politics, are taught in the foreign language.  With this it is guaranteed that linguistic competence is furthered both in the area of Economics/Politics as well as in that of Science.  As the significance of English today and for the future is undeniable, a German-English bilingual stream was introduced at our school as of the school year 2000/2001.  In years 7 and 8, the students in this stream have additional English classes, so that they are prepared for the requirements of taking Geography in English in year 9.  From year 10, the subject of Biology is also taught in the English language.  As students enter the next level of their studies, ‘Sekundarstufe II’, they take the subject of World Politics in English.  They select English as one of their main subjects, or ‘Leistungskurse’ and also complete either World Politics or Biology in the English language, as part of their final exams.

Materials and hints for bilingual education