In February ’23 I began visiting the kids of a „welcome class“ (through which refugee children are integrated into German schools) in Marzahn, Berlin’s banlieue.
There, the teachers try to be a bridge between many cultures.
The teachers decide individually what and how to learn and have to choose their own material.
However good the lessons may be, many students are not only hindered by the foreign language, but also by their own personal history. Many grew up in war zones and/or have lost their family. To absorb the experiences of violence and flight, they need the help of social workers, for which the teachers are not trained.
The teachers are overwhelmed, and although they are very and dearlycommitted, they reach their limits. They have fixed-term employment contracts, and also receive less money., although they actually have to cope with more tasks than conventional teachers.
In a system like this, it is not to be expected that the children leave the welcome class after 12 months with perfect German.
Although "building bridges" as a work is very strenuous, it was very fascinating to look at the dynamics between children and young people, their learning processes and educational opportunities while trying to understand their world.
There, the teachers try to be a bridge between many cultures.
The teachers decide individually what and how to learn and have to choose their own material.
However good the lessons may be, many students are not only hindered by the foreign language, but also by their own personal history. Many grew up in war zones and/or have lost their family. To absorb the experiences of violence and flight, they need the help of social workers, for which the teachers are not trained.
The teachers are overwhelmed, and although they are very and dearlycommitted, they reach their limits. They have fixed-term employment contracts, and also receive less money., although they actually have to cope with more tasks than conventional teachers.
In a system like this, it is not to be expected that the children leave the welcome class after 12 months with perfect German.
Although "building bridges" as a work is very strenuous, it was very fascinating to look at the dynamics between children and young people, their learning processes and educational opportunities while trying to understand their world.
