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.

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.

© 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.

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.

© 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.

© 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.

© Fotolia, Rido

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

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.

© picture alliance/dpa/dpa-Zentralbild | Robert Michael
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!
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.

© 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"

© 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.

© 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.

© Goethe-Institut
Land of Inventors

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

© 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.

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.

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.

Find out more (in German)

Educational policy events

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

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.

© Goethe-Institut
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.

Foto: Ingrid Heiss
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.

Goethe-Institut

Current articles on teaching and learning German as a foreign language

Magazin Sprache
Course-related German instruction at colleges and universities

Curricula Framework (in German)

Language and education policy

The Goethe-Institut as an actor

Areas of activity

Projects

Hands-on Maths

Committee work

Educational policy events

IDT

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