Thanks for this look at today's school system (at least in Berlin). My husband is a product of German schools, back when kids were sorted after fifth grade (!) and it was assumed that children of "academics" (= parents who went to university) or otherwise of good family went to Gymnasium. His educational experience (and mine in the US) have been no help whatsoever in navigating the Swiss school system with our son–– and that's a topic for one of my upcoming posts!
The Abitur after 12th grade is a relatively recent reform (a decade or so ago); it used to be after 13 years of school until some dunderheads decreed that "die Wirtschaft" (the economy) needs young people to be getting through their education faster. The notion backfired completely. Graduates left school with no clue about what they wanted to do next and most of them were not yet 18–– meaning they couldn't even sign an apartment lease without their parents, which is a usual step when going off to university in Germany. Suddenly Germany discovered the "gap year" concept and an entire industry catering to the needs of not-ready-for-the-next-step-Abitur-grads has sprung up since. My niece, for example, waited tables for a few months and then went to Bali to "work" as a volunteer at a sea turtle rescue station.
I do rather like the integrated school idea. My son might have done better in something like that. Good luck to your kiddo, and to you in negotiating the next transitions.
I love the ending--it sounds like you're in a complex and confusing situation on many levels, but that coming back to the present at the end is how life works if we're to stay sane. What is happening *now*, not in some imaginary future/alternative life.
Several comments-(1) that comment sounds like Fred; (2) Gymnasium sounds like a place athletes would train; and (3) I get the impression the German educational system is far superior to ours.
Lol. Yes, Gymnasium (pronounced in German like 'Kum-nahz'-ee-um') is one of those false-friend German words that is also a word in English, but means something totally different.
What's even more confusing: It's often translated into English as 'grammar school,' which in American English, at least, is a primary school!
FWIW, the place where students or athletes train is called a Turnhalle or Sporthalle. And places where regular people go to workout, like run on a treadmill or lift weights called a 'Fitnessstudio' (yes, combining two English words).
About the German educational system: I don't know that it is superior. It is different. And I think it is better for Fred, in particular, but it might not be so for everyone.
For one, they still use textbooks and a very structured curriculum. There is also a lot of emphasis still placed on handwritten lessons--not on computers.
They learn to use computers. And, they--well, at least the secondary schools that I have seen--do use technology. He had to download two mobile apps to keep track of assignments and any schedule changes.
But the instruction is still more of the way we were taught.
And they are very strict with attendance. If a student is out for more than two days due to illness, they have to bring a signed doctor's note to get the days excused. More than a certain number of days unexcused will get parents reported to the youth welfare authorities.
We got a list of important dates for our calendars on our first day. Included on the list were designated Saturdays that are 'review days' and attendance at those (if you are told you need to go to them) is mandatory. The notice to parents said, basically, 'Don't make plans on these Saturdays.' If your student can't attend a review date, they have to bring a signed note from a doctor or some other authority explaining why.
I'm glad you found it helpful. I'll be writing more about the educational system as my son moves through it--and as my daughter starts (*I hope*) university.
Thanks for this look at today's school system (at least in Berlin). My husband is a product of German schools, back when kids were sorted after fifth grade (!) and it was assumed that children of "academics" (= parents who went to university) or otherwise of good family went to Gymnasium. His educational experience (and mine in the US) have been no help whatsoever in navigating the Swiss school system with our son–– and that's a topic for one of my upcoming posts!
The Abitur after 12th grade is a relatively recent reform (a decade or so ago); it used to be after 13 years of school until some dunderheads decreed that "die Wirtschaft" (the economy) needs young people to be getting through their education faster. The notion backfired completely. Graduates left school with no clue about what they wanted to do next and most of them were not yet 18–– meaning they couldn't even sign an apartment lease without their parents, which is a usual step when going off to university in Germany. Suddenly Germany discovered the "gap year" concept and an entire industry catering to the needs of not-ready-for-the-next-step-Abitur-grads has sprung up since. My niece, for example, waited tables for a few months and then went to Bali to "work" as a volunteer at a sea turtle rescue station.
I do rather like the integrated school idea. My son might have done better in something like that. Good luck to your kiddo, and to you in negotiating the next transitions.
I love the ending--it sounds like you're in a complex and confusing situation on many levels, but that coming back to the present at the end is how life works if we're to stay sane. What is happening *now*, not in some imaginary future/alternative life.
Thanks, Rebecca. Yes, I'm not sure I realized it at the time. But it is good advice.
Several comments-(1) that comment sounds like Fred; (2) Gymnasium sounds like a place athletes would train; and (3) I get the impression the German educational system is far superior to ours.
Lol. Yes, Gymnasium (pronounced in German like 'Kum-nahz'-ee-um') is one of those false-friend German words that is also a word in English, but means something totally different.
What's even more confusing: It's often translated into English as 'grammar school,' which in American English, at least, is a primary school!
FWIW, the place where students or athletes train is called a Turnhalle or Sporthalle. And places where regular people go to workout, like run on a treadmill or lift weights called a 'Fitnessstudio' (yes, combining two English words).
About the German educational system: I don't know that it is superior. It is different. And I think it is better for Fred, in particular, but it might not be so for everyone.
For one, they still use textbooks and a very structured curriculum. There is also a lot of emphasis still placed on handwritten lessons--not on computers.
They learn to use computers. And, they--well, at least the secondary schools that I have seen--do use technology. He had to download two mobile apps to keep track of assignments and any schedule changes.
But the instruction is still more of the way we were taught.
And they are very strict with attendance. If a student is out for more than two days due to illness, they have to bring a signed doctor's note to get the days excused. More than a certain number of days unexcused will get parents reported to the youth welfare authorities.
We got a list of important dates for our calendars on our first day. Included on the list were designated Saturdays that are 'review days' and attendance at those (if you are told you need to go to them) is mandatory. The notice to parents said, basically, 'Don't make plans on these Saturdays.' If your student can't attend a review date, they have to bring a signed note from a doctor or some other authority explaining why.
I don’t have kids but i really wonder German education system. Enlighted me, thank you!
I'm glad you found it helpful. I'll be writing more about the educational system as my son moves through it--and as my daughter starts (*I hope*) university.