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The Goethe-Institut Announces New Children's Book By Renowned Illustrator Axel Scheffler
8 November 2024
Wuschel auf der Erde: A New Adventure in Learning German is a new book aimed at primary-aged pupils who are beginners in the German language. Commissioned by the Goethe-Institut and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, known for his work on The Gruffalo, the book will be officially launched at a special event with Schools Minister Catherine McKinnell at Ada Lovelace School, Ealing, on Friday, 15 November 2024.
Wuschel auf der Erde is much more than a textbook; it’s an invitation for children to explore a new language and culture through the eyes of a charming character. With the combined efforts of experts and teachers at the Goethe-Institut and Axel Scheffler, this book promises to be a cherished resource for young learners and a steppingstone towards a lifelong love of languages.
Scheffler’s unique artistic style brings the story of Wuschel, a curious and friendly alien, to life. Wuschel arrives on Earth in a UFO from a distant planet with a mission to learn German. Through his journey, children are introduced to their first German words and phrases in a fun and interactive way, engaging not just them but also their families and teachers in the learning process.
To support teachers, the Goethe-Institut London is providing comprehensive teaching materials to integrate Wuschel auf der Erde into the language learning classroom, enhancing the overall learning experience. Additionally, the Goethe-Institut UK will offer language courses for children with Wuschel, further supporting young learners in their journey to master the German language.
Andrea Pfeil, Director Language Department at the Goethe-Institut, says: “We are incredibly excited about this project. Axel Scheffler’s illustrations bring a magical quality to the story of Wuschel, making the learning process both enjoyable and memorable for children. We hope this book will inspire a new generation of German learners and foster a love for the language and culture.”
Illustrator Axel Scheffler says: “The Goethe-Institut asked me to illustrate some stories to support the teaching of German in primary schools – hoping that the fact that many children are familiar with my pictures will inspire them to learn German. From my own experience I can say that learning a second language is enriching one’s life enormously. I hope that the story of Wuschel, an alien who has come all the way from a different planet to learn German will encourage more children to learn ‘my’ first language.”
Miguel Berger, German Ambassador to the United Kingdom, says: “Language learning can, and should, be fun. Axel Scheffler’s iconic and world-renowned illustrations offer an inspiring way for children and young people to explore German. Wuschel brings the beauty and creativity of language learning to life. I am immensely impressed by this project by the Goethe-Institut in the UK.”
Keir Smith, Headteacher at Ada Lovelace School, says: “We are unique in teaching German as a main language for all learners from year 7 and are therefore particularly excited to be part of the launch for new primary German teaching resources.”
This initiative is part of a broader effort to address the challenges facing language learning, particularly German, in English schools. The Goethe-Institut UK is actively working to reverse the trend of declining GCSE entries and boost the number of German learners across England. As part of the National Consortium for Languages Education (NCLE), established in 2023, the Goethe-Institut has been delivering unprecedented support for German language education. Ada Lovelace C of E High School hosts the Thames West Language hub as part of the NCLE language hub programme and works with primary and secondary partner schools to support language teaching.
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LAUNCH EVENT
We invite journalists to join us at the launch event to learn more about this exciting initiative and its impact on language learning in schools.
Date: Friday, 15 November 2024
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Ada Lovelace C of E High School, Ealing, W5
Activities:
Welcome address by Minister of State for School Standards Catherine McKinnell MP
Speeches by the German Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Miguel Berger, and illustrator Axel Scheffler
The Goethe-Institut is the cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany with a global reach. With 151 institutes in 98 countries, it promotes knowledge of German abroad, encourages international cultural exchange and conveys an image of contemporary Germany. The Goethe-Institut’s ties with partner institutions in many other places give it about 1,100 points of contact around the world.
Engaging audiences interested in culture, language and education, the Goethe-Institut London has been operating since 1962. It is located on Exhibition Road in South Kensington, offering a broad variety of scope and spaces with nearby access to world-class institutions. www.goethe.de/uk
The GIMAGINE iniative by the Goethe-Institut UK promotes and supports the learning of German as a foreign language in the UK. The project centres around students, teachers and schools. Apart from offering initiatives for professional advancement to German teachers, the project can fund learning German through scholarships and provides schools with classroom materials and teaching resources. www.goethe.de/gimagine
The National Consortium of Languages Education (NCLE) was appointed by the DfE in 2023 to boost languages education in England. It is a Consortium led by UCL Institute of Education together with the British Council and the Goethe-Institut, Germany’s national cultural body. NCLE - National Consortium for Languages Education (ucl.ac.uk)
