Educational Services Department
In the Educational Services Department, we enjoy the highly varied nature of our work. We promote the many exciting benefits of learning German in schools and educational institutions. We also support teachers through training and networking and work with decision-makers to represent German learning in educational policy.
We started this year with the very successful German Teachers’ Day, a networking and training conference which was attended by teachers from across Scotland. We were delighted to see German teachers sharing their ideas and encouraging each other.
Our first Partner School event of 2023 was the Table Football tournament in Bishopbriggs Academy, alongside a motivational talk by Steve Eadon, a linguist who has worked in football and now gives workshops on using language skills in an international sporting career.
Pupils from Paisley Grammar School taking part in the Net Zero City Simulation
| Photo: Elaine Buri © Goethe-Institut Glasgow
We are also very excited to have launched Paisley Grammar School as a Goethe-Institut Partner School this year. To celebrate the start of the partnership, pupils from the school and local primaries showcased their German skills with musical talents and speeches.
This autumn, we organised the new Net Zero City Simulation, in which pupils represent a variety of interest groups and debate ways in which a fictional city can become more eco-friendly. This was completed using an online platform which led pupils through the stages of preparation, initial discussions, a debate and then a final vote.
We have also attended school careers fairs to motivate pupils to learn languages, supported teachers at language conferences, and have organised many other exciting events across a variety of age groups. This year, we have also organised the German Language Adventure. Aimed at younger learners, this is an imaginary journey across Germany featuring German language challenges, recognising German brands, and finding out about different German-speaking cities.
Our training day for German teachers was also a great success, as the professional German as a Foreign Language trainer Miguel Rezzani gave interactive and creative workshops on using the target language in the classroom. Teachers also had the opportunity to network and share resources and materials.
We have many more exciting events planned later this year, including the German Careers Roadshow and a variety of German language workshops for all ages at our anniversary festival day on 28 October.
For me, it is a joy to see the enthusiasm for German in both primary and secondary schools in Scotland and to continue to motivate pupils to learn languages. It is a privilege to provide these opportunities to pupils.”
Our first Partner School event of 2023 was the Table Football tournament in Bishopbriggs Academy, alongside a motivational talk by Steve Eadon, a linguist who has worked in football and now gives workshops on using language skills in an international sporting career.
Pupils from Paisley Grammar School taking part in the Net Zero City Simulation
| Photo: Elaine Buri © Goethe-Institut Glasgow
We are also very excited to have launched Paisley Grammar School as a Goethe-Institut Partner School this year. To celebrate the start of the partnership, pupils from the school and local primaries showcased their German skills with musical talents and speeches.This autumn, we organised the new Net Zero City Simulation, in which pupils represent a variety of interest groups and debate ways in which a fictional city can become more eco-friendly. This was completed using an online platform which led pupils through the stages of preparation, initial discussions, a debate and then a final vote.
We have also attended school careers fairs to motivate pupils to learn languages, supported teachers at language conferences, and have organised many other exciting events across a variety of age groups. This year, we have also organised the German Language Adventure. Aimed at younger learners, this is an imaginary journey across Germany featuring German language challenges, recognising German brands, and finding out about different German-speaking cities.
Our training day for German teachers was also a great success, as the professional German as a Foreign Language trainer Miguel Rezzani gave interactive and creative workshops on using the target language in the classroom. Teachers also had the opportunity to network and share resources and materials.
We have many more exciting events planned later this year, including the German Careers Roadshow and a variety of German language workshops for all ages at our anniversary festival day on 28 October.
Elaine Buri, Project Coordinator
“I began learning German at Bishopbriggs Academy, a Goethe-Institut Partner School. Through the partnership, I was granted a scholarship to attend a language course in Germany. This experience, more than any other, led me to pursue a course of studies in German as a Foreign Language.For me, it is a joy to see the enthusiasm for German in both primary and secondary schools in Scotland and to continue to motivate pupils to learn languages. It is a privilege to provide these opportunities to pupils.”
