EDUCATION IN GERMANY By Emily Goss Steph Leone

EDUCATION IN GERMANY By: Emily Goss, Steph Leone, Billie Jo Keiser

Germany • Country in west-central Europe.

Germany • Capital: Berlin • Population: 82 million people • Has the second largest population in Europe. • German is the only official language. • More than 99% can read and write.

Elementary Level Education • Pre-school education is optional. • It is not free. • Development is fostered through play. • There are waiting lists to attend these schools.

Types of Elementary Level Education • Nursery and day care services: Kinderkrippe • Private child care services: Tagesmütter • Preschool education: Kindergarten

Private Childcare Services • Private nannies or childcare called Tagesmütter. • Children 8 weeks old to 3 years. • Care provided in the home to a group of 4 or 5 children. • Similar to nanny services.

Nurseries and Day-Care Services • Often called Kinderkrippe. • Children ages 1 to 3. • There is a fee for children to attend. • Resembles United States day care programs.

Kindergarten • Children age 3 to 6. • Half day: 8 am to 12 pm or 2 pm to 5 pm. • Full day • Often divided into groups by age. • Different from the formal education students receive in primary school.

Costs • Usually based on parent income. • Kindergarten: 80 to 120 € per month. • Number of children and hours required influence the cost.

Primary Level • Grundschule • Schooling normally begins at six • Children attend grundschule for four years. • Teachers offer basic instruction to the core subjects

Secondary Level • There are three different types • Haupstschule (grades 5 -9) • Realschule (grades 5 -10) • Gymnasium (grades 5 -10)

Hauptschule • The main objective is to prepare students for their entry into the world of work. • All children learn English and sometimes French • Once students have obtained their leaving certificate, they can go into practical vocational training and start working in the public service.

Realschule • This schooling gives children a more broad general education and expects the students to have more independence. • With this certificate they have access to several training options such as vocational training, work in public service at either secretarial or executive level. • This is very popular in Germany.

Gymnasium • This is designed to provide students with an education which will enable them to pass the Abitur exam. • 8 or 9 years of school education • Secondary Level II which is the last two or three years of Gymnasium. • Students self select courses themselves • Have to select to Leistungskurse (special subjects)

The Gesamtschule • The comprehensive school • Comibines the elements from Hauptschule, Realschule and the Gymnasium. • 6 th to 10 th grade

Cultural Traditions: • Traditional greeting consists of a quick, firm handshake • Only close friends and relative are invited into their homes • No elbows on the table and finish your food • Planning is a big deal to them • Work and personal lives are clearly divided

Fun Facts: • German have made some great discoveries! • First to adopt DST • Home of Oktoberfest • The story of the Easter bunny

German Black Forest Cake Ingredient: • 1 cup whole milk • 3 eggs • 1/2 cup canola oil • 3 teaspoons vanilla extract • 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons allpurpose flour • 2 cups sugar • 3/4 cup baking cocoa • 1 -1/2 teaspoons baking powder • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda • 3/4 teaspoon salt Topping Ingredient: • 2 cans pitted tart cherries • 1 cup sugar • 1/4 cup cornstarch • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract • Whipped cream

Websites • http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Geography_of_Germany • http: //www. internations. org/germany-expats/guide/15985 -family-children • • education/childcare-and-kindergartens-in-germany-15989 http: //www. kids-world-travel-guide. com/germany-facts. html http: //www. expatica. com/de/education/pre_school/Preschool-options-in. Germany_18248. html http: //www. ukgermanconnection. org/schools-german-education-system http: //www. expatica. com/de/education/school/The-ABCs-of-the-Germanschool-system_11321. html? ppager=0 http: //www. kwintessential. co. uk/resources/global-etiquette/germany-countryprofile. html http: //www. telegraph. co. uk/travelnews/10223647/Twenty-things-youdidnt-know-about-Germany. html http: //www. germany. travel/en/ms/german-originality/heritage/the-easterbunny-the-tale-of-the-eggs. html http: //www. tasteofhome. com/recipes/german-black-forest-cake