The school system in Germany is quite different from the system we have here. While there are a few similarities, the German system can be difficult to understand for Americans. Similar to the U.S German students start off in elementary school called Grundschule. After this however is where the differences begin. While we just go right on to middle school German students have four different options available to them. They are: Secondary school (hauptschule), intermediate school (Realschule), Grammer school (Gymnasium), and comprehensive school (Gesampt schule). The first two would indicate the German student has more of an interest in a certain trade or skill. The last two are a more gerneral education that would lead to going to a university rather than a trade school. Some areas offer a combination of the schools called gesamtschule. German students study a much wider range of subjects than we do, including at least three languages. German students also are only in school from 8 am to 1 pm.
Sources:
http://library.thinkquest.org/26576/schoolpage.htm
http://www.expatica.com/de/education/school/The-ABCs-of-the-German-school-system_11321.html?ppager=0
Which system do you think does a better job educating its students? Why?
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