Students at the open house. Photo: DPA

Berlin school offers German-language guarantee in immigrant heavy district

Published: 15 Oct 09 16:21 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/society/20091015-22601.html

An elementary school in Berlin’s multicultural Wedding district has announced it will offer a class with a “German guarantee” to keep the overwhelmingly immigrant student body from deterring enrollment.

During an open-house introduction on Thursday, organisers at the Gustav-Falke elementary school explained that the model class with top-level facilities will only be open to children who pass a German proficiency test.

School director Karin Müller is actively recruiting students from Berlin’s posh Mitte district – just a few blocks away from the school, but miles away from Wedding's struggles with integration. At first parents resisted the idea for fear of alienating other students with an “elite class,” but she says interest is growing.

“We asked the parents exactly what they wanted from their schools,” Müller said. “And that’s exactly what we’re offering.”

Wedding parents agree that the more German-speaking students who attend the school, the better, she said.

The class will have between 24 and 28 students – half of whom must have a German-language background.

“It won’t be an elite class,” Müller said, adding that the other classes will also soon take part in group projects with the “German guarantee” kids.

The city’s education administration has welcomed the idea, and Mayor Klaus Wowereit called it a “trendsetting initiative.” Nearby schools are also said to be considering similar programmes after the state parents’ committee recommended the concept in multicultural neighbourhoods labouring to help children successfully integrate.

But “German guarantee” programme at Gustav-Falke will only launch if enough students enroll in November.

DPA/The Local (news@thelocal.de)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Fark It! Digg This Facebook  Share everywhere
Send to a friend Printable version Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

16:23 October 16, 2009 by mixxim
With the falling birthrate among ethnic germans, the morning after pill and excessive invasion of immigrants, perhaps we should now try to get English made the official language - after all who else except perhaps a few dozen Austrians and Swiss speak this language! (And they do it badly!)
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
For comment quoting and other advanced formatting features,
try posting via this article's discussion forum page instead.
Today's headlines
Photo: DPA

Hartz IV welfare benefits ruled unconstitutional

Millions of German families on welfare could receive more government assistance after the nation’s highest court ruled Tuesday the controversial Hartz IV system of payments was unconstitutional. READ (34 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Löw backs down in contract dispute

National coach Joachim Löw ended his stand-off with the German Football Federation (DFB) on Tuesday, as both parties agreed to plough all their efforts into Germany's 2010 World Cup campaign. READ (1 COMMENT) »

Photo: DPA

Germans splashing out on Karneval despite bad economy

The tough economic climate is failing to dent Germans’ enthusiasm for Karneval, with partygoers set to spend €300 million on costumes and makeup during this year’s season, the Toy Retailers’ Association said Monday. READ »

Photo: DPA

Study finds major discrimination against Turkish job applicants

Jobseekers with Turkish names are clearly discriminated against when looking for work in Germany, a study released this week has found. READ (2 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Young literary star Hegemann counters plagiarism claim

Best-selling teenage novelist Helene Hegemann rejected accusations of plagiarism in her debut novel “Axolotl Roadkill” on Tuesday, after it emerged she had taken slabs of text from an anonymous author and blogger. READ (1 COMMENT) »

Photo: DPA

Hamburg politician puts the 'I' in street de-icing

The president of Hamburg's city parliament is reportedly in hot water for ordering authorities to clear the footpaths of ice outside his own home while leaving the rest of the city to slip and slide their way home. READ (1 COMMENT) »

Photo: DPA

Construction worker confesses in Cologne archive collapse case

Eleven months after the deadly collapse of Cologne’s city archive, a construction worker has given investigators their first confession in the case, media reports said on Tuesday. READ »

Photo: DPA

Berlinale highlights shift to 3-D films

Buyers at the Berlin film festival will be seeing triple this year, as 3-D productions such as "Avatar" transform the global cinema industry. READ »

More Society
Highlights
Photo: Tamsin Ross Van Lessen
SOCIETY »
Indie cinemas are a dying breed the world over... except in Berlin, home to nearly 60 small arthouse and neighbourhood venues. As Alice Harrison reports, some are even getting the red carpet treatment at this year's Berlinale.

See all ads | Join the Marketplace

Jobs in Germany, in English

571 jobs in Germany, in English
396 new jobs this week
79 new jobs today

ALL JOBS »

Latest news from The Local in Sweden
Blog
Essentials

Dating
Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your style? Find a German sweetheart here.

Weather
"After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather section.

Blog
German stuff that's distracting us today.

Noticeboard
Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of charge.

Discuss
Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »

News from the Goethe-Institut
News from Young Germany
News from DeutschlandOnline
JOB: Admin and academic positions
GBCM is currently seeking experienced and ambitious full/part-time staff in the academic field as well as a flexible office manager for roles in an international environment
FULL JOB DETAILS
Advertising 2.0
MARKETPLACE - promote your business to half a million targeted readers a month on The Local. Find great products and services in Germany or tell The Local's readers about your own business.
CLICK HERE>>>
Sales managers - country wide
The Local is seeking talented and experienced media sales professionals for our online advertising sales in Germany
FULL JOB DETAILS
Best Foreign exchange rates dealing - all major currencies
Foreign Currency Direct voted as offering the best exchange rates. All currency exchange transactions are managed by Ben Amrany. We guarantee that readers of The Local/Toytown receive a 5 star service
FULL DETAILS HERE>>>
JOB: Nursery Teacher / Early Years Educator
Wolfsburg nursery, specialising in an Early Years Programme, seeks English speaking nursery teacher
FULL JOB DETAILS

The Local Europe GmbH
Linienstrasse 214
10119 Berlin
Germany