FOCUS 3 – Contemporary German Society
3.4 Germany’s Education System
EXTENSION (OPTIONAL) TASK #2 Ask the class: “What would your school day be like if you attended a certain type of German school?” Using Handout 3.4.3 students should answer the following questions to see what their day in a German school would be like.
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What grade are you in (according to the schedule)? When does school begin for you? When does the school day end for you? How many subjects are you studying? Which subjects are you studying? What clubs are there at your school? What sports are there at your school? Which career paths would be open to you when you finish this school? How many days a week do you work (an apprenticeship) at a company?
➤ Resources
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German Classes and Schedules (Handout 3.4.3)
TAKING INFORMED ACTION UNDERSTAND Germany offers a dual education or apprenticeship program where students go to school to learn a trade and work for a business using what they have learned. ASSESS Research to determine if dual apprenticeship programs are offered in your community or state. Find an active program in your country and consider how such opportunities would benefit both students and companies in a community. ACT Speak with a school administrator about the possibility of implementing a dual education program in your community. If a full program like those you researched is not possible, connect with a business leader (perhaps a parent of a classmate?) to explore which types of opportunities they might consider to help young people prepare for future careers with them. For fun, use your favorite virtual reality (VR) platform to explore what vocational training in Germany looks like by visiting https://www.deinerstertag.de/en/
GERMANY IN FOCUS
A Transatlantic Outreach Program Instructional text for secondary educators
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FOCUS 3