The school system in Germany has several variations to the school system in the United States as well as a few similarities. Like in the US, students in Germany begin elementary school, or Schulpflicht, at the age of 6 and attend for a period of 4~6 years depending on where they live. Just like in the US, German elementary students learn basic math, reading, and other general education subjects. After this, they can choose from a variety of options for secondary school. This is where Germany differs from the US, because in the US student are mostly limited to middle school and high school. The choices for German secondary schools vary from the vocational and trade schools to prep schools for higher education. The most demanding is called the Gymnasium, usually students who had the best grades attend this school to prepare for higher education in order to obtain university degree's. Some students might also attend vocational schools like the Hauptschule. In this system, a person's job opportunities might be limited depending on which secondary school they choose, leaving them with less freedom to choose careers later on in the future. However, at the same time their choice of secondary school might better prepare them if they know what type of career they want to pursue.
Works Cited:
http://www.internations.org/germany-expats/guide/15985-family-children-education/schools-in-germany-15992
http://www.expatica.com/de/education/school/The-ABCs-of-the-German-school-system_11321.html?ppager=0
Very well-written
ReplyDeleteWhich system do you feel does a better job educating its students?