Its been a busy past few weeks--that is, it's been relatively busy for a girl who works 12 hours a week. This whole expedition is based around my participation at a school here, so I thought it might be a good idea to give good ole' GHS (
Gustav Heinemann Schulzentrum) some justice. If you have the time, take a look at their (beautiful) (German) website. The words may provide you little, but you can see some pictures for yourself. I've also included a few pics of my own.
The German school system seems very strange to any American at first. Everyone gets to go to the same school when they are in primary school, its called "Grundschule". This is where the little girl in the family I am living with goes. You get to go there until 5th grade (about 10), when you are required to choose one of four choices: Gesamtschule, Hauptschule, Realschule, and Gymnasium. The Gesamtschule is something relatively new in Germany and is most similar to American High School. It is not the norm here, and a lot of Germans believe that it is not the right way to do things. A lot of teachers and parents have the firm belief that students should be seperated according to their abilities. Anyone can go to the Gesamtschule, regardless of grades and there are a couple of choices of what to do with your future (that is, there isn't a rule that prevents anyone from taking exams for college.)
The traditional German system is to split the kids up at 10 years old, according to how well they are doing in school. Hauptschule is for the kids who are really struggling and will probably be headed for jobs in the service industry. Realschule is the middle level, and the Gymnasium is for kids who will be going to University and having real carriers. These kids go to school for 13 years, take an "Abiture" exam, kind of like an SAT II. There is a huge difference between these three types of schools, and from what I've witnessed so far, it builds a lot of resentment between the students. It seems just totally unfair to decide who is smart enough to try for Uni and who isn't, but at the same time I see a level of honesty in this system. Some people are never interested in Uni, why should they go to school with kids who are? Except that a lot of the reason people go to Real/Haputschule is because of language barriers, NOT intelligence or ambition.
GHS is special because all three types of upper level schools are on the same campus. Students do not take classes together because teachers are assigned to different schools (pay levels differ, too), but they share hallways and all eat at the same Kiosk.
I witnessed my first incidence of "class-clash" when one of the 11th grade classes I assist was let out early. They were walking through a hallway which contained mostly Hauptschule rooms and droped a hollow, metal bike lock. It clanged and echoed down the hallway--was extremely loud and annoying. After their teacher told them to be quiet, they looked her in the eye and explained that she needn't be upset, because it wasn't disturbing any real learning, due to the fact that it was in the Hauptschule hall. WOW!
There was little response from the teacher, other than "well thats not nice." Which brings me to my other point. There is exteremely little dicipline in these classes. They are taught much like college classes. In fact, the kids are monitored at about the level of a college student. They could have only 2 classes a day, and their whereabouts are not counted for otherwise. But the students are
kids. 10-19 years old. And in the younger classes, it becomes frustrating when dicipline is simply expected, but not demanded. Therefore, the teachers speak without being heard, ask questions without being answerd, and in general teach without anything being learned. This makes it nearly impossible for even a native speaker to follow the teacher, let alone a German student. I can't imagine trying to actually learn and participate in this situation. I am the first to admit that I am one for paying attention in class (or at least zoning out in a way that does not disrupt others), but I am not exaggerating here.
Aside from my frustrations, the school is a fun place to be. There is a giant teachers room where I hang out during my time off. It is a little bit like a high school cafeteria. Everyone has his or her own seats, and all of the bff's sit together. It is hard for me to find a cozy spot...it can get pretty cliquey. I usually sit myself on the sofa for visitors. That way I can talk to many people. That is also where people put food if they bring any in...so that's a plus too. Most German teachers are 30+ because they have to do a lot of school and practice before they get the degree. But they are nice; seems like the type of personality it takes to command a room full of smelly kids is universal. And the kids are all nice to me. So its a great place. Nice facilities and really hard working teachers.
Any school is going to have problems, and any school system is going to have issues. It is just a matter of understanding that the education is more important than the education system. I am teaching my first two classes next week because the kids are finishing up their units before Fall break. I will have to update on how all of that goes. Hopefully I will be able to teach about the US without having to address questions about the death penality, excessive spending, and politics. Wish me luck...
The Gymasium at GHS. This is where I spend most of my time. This building has rooms for all three schools. Those windows are the teachers lounge. I usually sit there and look out them like I am thinking about something really important.
