Language and education policy

We work with international committees and associations to promote German as a foreign language, multilingualism and allowing for the linguistic and cultural diversity of German-speaking countries in Europe. We support German language learning in host countries, provide expertise and promote professional exchange at international conferences.

The Goethe-Institut as an actor

  • Global network for language and education
  • Educational efforts to promote sustainable developmen
  • Prospects and opportunities for multilingualism
  • International cooperation in education and training projects
  • Early acquisition of German as a foreign language

Areas of activity

Europanetzwerk Deutsch

The Federal Foreign Office and the Goethe-Institut promote the German language in Europe through this impressive scholarship scheme. Europanetzwerk Deutsch is an exemplary project for the European multilingual policy.

Participants of the network meeting stand in a group in front of the Bundestag in Berlin Photo: (detail): © Bernhard-Ludewig Photo: (detail): © Bernhard-Ludewig

“Schulen: Partner der Zukunft (PASCH)” initiative

PASCH is a worldwide network connecting more than 1700 PASCH schools with a particular link to Germany. The Goethe-Institut acts as mentor to around 600 PASCH schools in the national education systems of over 100 countries.

Initiative „Schulen: Partner der Zukunft“ (PASCH) © Kai Uwe Oesterhellweg © Kai Uwe Oesterhellweg

German minorities

The Goethe-Institut supports German minorities in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia on behalf of the German government by implementing cultural strategies and educational policies.

Deutsche Minderheit in Sibirien Foto: Goethe-Institut/Jörg Müller Foto: Goethe-Institut/Jörg Müller

Skilled workers from abroad

Thanks to many years of experience, the Goethe-Institut equips people all over the world with linguistic and intercultural skills, effectively preparing them for life and work in Germany.

Three young people laughing and with their arms around each other © Colourbox © Colourbox

Schools abroad

Through our collaborative education services, we uphold the quality standards of language teaching, set up projects to facilitate networking, and broaden international perspectives. We work closely with local partners to meet their needs and update their skills.

Teacher with students in a classroom © Goethe-Institut/GettyImages © Goethe-Institut/GettyImages

SCHULWÄRTS!

SCHULWÄRTS! arranges and provides funding for the placement of student teachers at Goethe-Institut partner schools abroad. Student and (prospective) teachers of any school type and subject combination are eligible for placement. Student teachers receive individualized support before, during and after their placement.

SCHULWÄRTS!-Homepage © Fotolia, Rido © Fotolia, Rido

IDT July 28 - August 1, 2025 in Lübeck

The motto is “Daring Diversity - with German.”

In our globalized and complex world, diversity is essential for teaching and learning German as a foreign and second language. With this motto, we invite you to explore the potential of this diversity from a scientific perspective at IDT 2025 and to embrace even more diversity in the teaching and learning of German.

Projects

We provide motivating activities and material in the form of competitions and scholarship programmes as well as a wide range of events and exhibitions. Teachers can find out about opportunities to participate here.

Calender 2025: Artificial Intelligence

AI is an exciting and important topic. AI can solve problems at lightning speed. Sometimes it is also risky. It is used in many areas and affects us all, whether we like it or not. Read more about the project in German.

Brain model © picture alliance/dpa/dpa-Zentralbild | Robert Michael © picture alliance/dpa/dpa-Zentralbild | Robert Michael

KIKUK - Künstliche Intelligenz kreativ und kritisch

„KIKUK“ ist ein innovatives Projekt, das Schüler*innen die Möglichkeit bietet, den kreativen und kritischen Einsatz von Künstlicher Intelligenz zu erkunden. In einem Wettbewerb gestalten sie Kunstwerke mithilfe von KI-Anwendungen zu einem selbst gewählten Thema.

KIKUK – Kreativ und kritisch mit künstlicher Intelligenz © Goethe-Institut © Goethe-Institut

Internationale Deutscholympiade 2024

The final of the largest German language competition will take place in Göttingen in 2024. Around 50 countries worldwide are now preparing for this in national preliminary rounds. Taking part is everything!

Internationale Deutscholympiade (IDO) 2024

Completely Kafka

To mark the centenary of Franz Kafka’s death, we’re offering a poster exhibition in 2024 entitled KOMPLETT KAFKA (“Completely Kafka”) in association with the artist Nicolas Mahler and the Literaturhaus Stuttgart. Read more about the project in German.

Komplett Kafka (“Completely Kafka”): A graphic biography © Nicolas Mahler © Nicolas Mahler

“Climate Neutral City” simulation game

Do you teach German at a school? Do you want to get to know an innovative teaching and learning method and have fun at the same time? Are you and your pupils interested in climate change? 
Then join in! Take part in the international internet-based simulation game "Climate Neutral City"

“Climate Neutral City” simulation game © Goethe-Institut © Goethe-Institut

Calender 2024: The EU: With one another – for one another

The European Union (EU) is the only organization of its kind in the world: a union of democratic European nations that have made the preservation of peace and the pursuit of prosperity their top priorities. Read more about the project in German.
 

A satellite orbiting around the Earth © picture alliance / imageBROKER | Bernhard Classen © picture alliance / imageBROKER | Bernhard Classen

UMI

UMI | Universum.Mensch.Intelligenz. presents cutting-edge research from Germany, presented in an appropriate format for young German learners as an interactive touring exhibition with five main themed areas: The Universe, Human History, Our Brain, Anthropocene, AI.

UMI | Universum.Mensch.Intelligenz. © Goethe-Institut © Goethe-Institut

Land of Inventors

Pivotal German inventions from the natural sciences: Games, films, and an exhibition on historic discoveries and leading-edge innovations.

Bilder zur Ausstellung „Erfinderland Deutschland  - Baukasten Forschung“ © jim / fotolia.com © jim / fotolia.com

Rethinking - Learning from nature

Earth, water, air and fire: without them, there is no life. Humans know this and have harnessed the elements. But now that the balance of nature has been upset by humans in many parts of the world – and, in some cases, lost forever – we’ve begun to rethink our relationship to nature. Read more about the project in German.
 

Rethinking - Learning from nature Face with leaf texture © kwasny221 – Fotolia Face with leaf texture © kwasny221 – Fotolia

Hands-on Maths

The "Hands-on Maths" exhibition proposes a new approach to mathematics. It presents what is arguably the most abstract science in a tangible way that makes maths comprehensible. Read more about the project in German.

An exhibit from the “Hands-on Maths” show. Photo by Rolf K. Wengst Photo: mathematikum Gießen / Rolf. K. Wengst Photo: mathematikum Gießen / Rolf. K. Wengst

Committee work

We advise and support various committees and international institutions, including the European Centre for Modern Languages in Graz, Austria (ECML) and the International Association of German Language Teachers (IDV). Our aim is to exchange news, views, ideas and expertise on key questions and specific projects.

Educational policy events

We hold conferences and training programmes and take part in conferences and trade fairs about education and language learning.

IDT

Every four years, the International Association of German Language Teachers (IDV) invites teachers, researchers, and students to the International German Language Teachers’ Conference (IDT), which features a number of Goethe-Institut events and contributions. Read more about the event in German.

IDT Bozen 2013 Foto: Ingrid Heiss Foto: Ingrid Heiss

GETVICO24

GETVICO24 is a virtual German teachers' conference of Goethe-Institut that takes you around the world in 24 hours every two years. The next GETVICO24 will take place in 2026.

Getvico © Goethe-Institut © Goethe-Institut

didacta

Didacta is Europe’s biggest education fair and the place to find out about current trends in education. The Goethe-Institut is also represented at this annual event. Read more about the event in German.

didacta: Our special offers for teachers at DACH schools (i.e. in Germany, Austria and Switzerland) and German schools elsewhere in the world Goethe-Institut Goethe-Institut

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