Bilingual education

Bilingual instruction (also: bilingual education ) is offered to modern languages ​​schools, sometimes at comprehensive schools and secondary schools, as well as at schools abroad. When bilingual education, the teaching material in at least one subject ( Subject subject) is taught in a language other than in the ordinary language of instruction, or is the entire course material generally taught in more than one language. It can also be the language of instruction in the same compartment switch to different classes. Lately, more and more primary schools offer bilingual education with language learning by immersion.

Didactics of bilingual education

Although there is still no comprehensive teaching of bilingual subject teaching; However, a first approach to this is that of Wolfgang Hallet developed (1998) model of Bilingual Triangle dar. This implies that it is neither a translated to the bilingual subject teaching only in a foreign language, traditional subject teaching still is an advanced foreign language teaching.

The target of a bilingual subject teaching, which is based on the model of the Bilingual Triangle, but is generally considered (not only for history ):

"The students should learn to communicate adequately substantiated scientifically with members of other languages ​​and cultures:

• About their own experiences, their own world and their own culture and society ( Field 1 )
• Of phenomena, situations and circumstances of the target language cultures and societies ( Field 2 )
• Of phenomena, situations and issues of cross-cultural, global or universal significance. This target field is a future-oriented history lesson particularly important (target field 3). ( Woidt 2002: 83) "

Scientific background

There is not yet sufficient comprehensive studies in this field. Usually only subareas have been scientifically verified, so there is not a closed theoretical foundation for bilingual education.

Primary language skills of students is promoted in the first or second foreign language, since much is spoken and not just read or heard. The early promotion of language skills also leads to secondary successes such as creativity, flexibility, or an expanded horizon of knowledge. In addition, the bilingual teaching deepened by the practical application and understanding of others and their own culture ( change of perspective by changing the language ) and reduces language barriers.

In the bilingual teaching the whole vocabulary of the particular subject being taught is being used. In addition, typical sentence structure and turns characterize, since most "real" teaching material is used, but there are some (few ) materials for the German the including lessons are specially designed. These materials include, for example, as an aid target language idioms lists. Often they also integrate the own cultural perspectives of students in the tasks to stimulate reflection of the self.

Studies about the University of Wales and the Otto -von- Guericke- University Magdeburg came to the conclusion that bilingual education brings almost only advantages. A study of bilingual German - French lessons in the Swiss Canton of Valais (of the University of Neuchâtel ) found that children who participated in bilingual education from an early age, not only the second language learned faster, but also improved their general language skills. Deterioration of the first language was not detected ( Groupe de recherche sur l' enseignement bilingue, 1994). Also published in March 2006 Summary of the DESI study ( German -English student achievement -International ) speaks of remarkable success of bilingual education:

" A successful model for promoting language skills, mainly in high schools and junior high schools are bilingual offers. DESI examined in addition to the cross-national representative sample of 38 classes that were of English used from the seventh grade at least a subject in a, but usually in two to three subjects (eg geography, history, biology) as a language of instruction. Such additional learning opportunities affect the English performance of these students, and in particular their communication skills, particularly positive: You can reach the listening to the end of grade nine students for their comparable initial conditions a gap of about two years of schooling. But also in the ability to detect grammatical errors and correct them, their progress is very considerable. "

Bilingual Education in Germany

Bilingual instruction looks very different from schools. The teaching requirements differ depending on the state. The schools differ in the initial year, the intensity and the subjects. Where most of the advanced bilingual schools translate from the seventh grade a part of society subjects such as history and geography in a different language. Most of the students in a bilingual class have in addition to bilingual education enhances language learning. In addition, many schools are not only bilingual classes, but in parallel also have classes that are taught in German. Bilingual education also takes place in minority languages ​​Sorbian, Lower Sorbian and Frisian, inter alia at the Sorbian Grammar School Bautzen, on the Lower Sorbian grammar school Cottbus or Risum Skole in Risum -Lindholm in North Frisia.

In many bilingual schools school partnerships are maintained to enhance student exchanges through the linguistic capabilities.

In some schools, students make a special degree. For students who attend the bilingual German - French branch of a grammar school through high school, it is possible to buy the double degree AbiBac on the basis of an international convention. With the United Kingdom, the United States or any other English speaking country no such agreement for a double degree offered and recognized in both Contracting States exists.

History

The origins of bilingual education in Germany usually justified on political circumstances. Thus was set the target of a deepening of language skills through the Élysée Treaty, which opened the way for the bilingual education in Germany and France and the so-called partner languages ​​concepts particularly in border regions. The Goethe -Gymnasium in Frankfurt am Main in 1969 was the first German school with a German - English bilingual branch and one of the founding schools of the International Baccalaureate. In Lusatia, however, bilingual secondary schools were established already in the 1950s.

Public elementary schools

Bilingual learning programs in public elementary schools there are in many German states. It mostly European transport languages ​​are offered, such as English, Spanish, Russian and Italian. Some primary schools in Saxony and Brandenburg lead bilingual education through on low or Upper Sorbian. Since the 1990s, there is one step from a system that was in the only distinction between Sorbian as teaching or foreign language, as for 2 plus (two languages ​​plus additional foreign languages) passed designated bilingual subject teaching at different levels.

Bilingual Education in France

As in Germany, there are sections in which students are prepared for the double degree AbiBac also in French lycées ( upper secondary schools ). Between German and French schools that offer the AbiBac, often have partnerships for joint projects, including those for common exam preparation.

In some regions of the bilingual education also serves the promotion of minority languages. Examples are here as are in private ownership Occitan -speaking Calandretas in France.