@Linguist_CIOL
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER The Linguist 17
FEATURES
We tend to associate the Goethe-Institut with
German language training and exams, as it
offers a wide range of highly rated multi-level
courses. However, its remit extends far
beyond traditional teaching. Established 70
years ago as the successor to the German
Academy, the non-profit institution now has
159 institutes around the world with the aim
of promoting German language and culture.
Its success as a cultural association is
achieved through its collaborative work with
bodies such as the Franco-German Cultural
Fund, the German government and local
German embassies. Funded mainly by the
German government, it provides everything
from basic competency classes to advanced
qualifications, using a wide range of materials
and a flexible pedagogical approach. Blended
learning, combining 50% self-study with 50%
interaction in class, has been particularly
beneficial during the pandemic. It also offers
scholarships and course fee waivers to
students who aim to be German teachers.
In each of the 98 countries in which Goethe
operates, the local German embassy plays an
important role in promoting and organising
its cultural events, and in bringing together
language students, the media, politicians,
artists and interested individuals. Its remit to
enhance people's linguistic capabilities via
cultural events means it offers a broad
spectrum of activities, encompassing dance,
theatre, film, visual art, literature, music,
media, fashion, design and current affairs.
Launched in 2019, its online platform
Kinder Universität (Kinderuni) provides
lectures on scientific topics for school
children. Advanced learners can watch in
German with English subtitles, while
beginners can watch in English and six other
supported languages, with German words
introduced in a fun way. Kinderuni also runs
outreach projects, including Deutschland-
Wochen, organised in collaboration with MIT
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology) to
support the Year of German-American
Friendship in 2018.
In addition to supporting German-language
education through the Goethe-Institut, the
German Embassy in London has a far-reaching
programme of outreach activities. It supports
the Schools: Partners for the Future (PASCH)
Joanna Biernat considers how the Goethe-Institut and German Embassy
work collaboratively to support culture and language education in the UK
initiative, offering pupils worldwide networking
opportunities to help them expand their
language abilities and cultural understanding.
Established by the German Foreign Office in
2008, PASCH now has 12 partner schools in
the UK. During the pandemic it ran digital
health workshops for German students in
collaboration with Goethe.
The embassy recently launched a speaker
programme called German For Young
People. This free service enables UK schools,
universities and British-German clubs to invite
speakers to talk about German culture,
language, society and current events.
Speakers, whose fees are covered by the
embassy, have expertise in different aspects
of British-German relations and include
journalists, teachers, academics and former
embassy employees.
See www.goethe.de for more information.
Joanna Biernat-Sowka MCIL is a Strategic
Client Advisor for a software company.
READING ROOM
The Goethe-Institut library in London
Embassy insights
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GOETHE-INSTITUT
LONDON/PAU
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