The German Association of Teachers of Modern Languages (Deutscher Philologenverband) is intensifying calls for a renewed focus on academic performance within the German education system, arguing that current policies are failing to adequately prepare students for future economic and societal challenges. Susanne Lin-Klitzing, the association’s chairwoman, criticized policymakers for what she described as a reluctance to embrace reforms necessary to bolster the nation’s educational standards.
Lin-Klitzing welcomed recent, stark warnings from Education Minister Karin Prien (CDU), who has characterized improved student performance as a matter of “survival” for both the German economy and its democratic institutions. This endorsement, she stated, underscores the urgency of addressing long-standing issues within the education sector “without ideological blind spots.
The association’s proposals center on expanding pre-school support programs, bolstering fundamental vocabulary acquisition in primary schools, emphasizing the development of formal German language skills and aligning performance with assessment practices. Lin-Klitzing expressed dismay at the perceived lack of action, noting a growing sense of resignation amongst educators and echoing concerns raised by the Institute for German Economy. She argued that societal prosperity is inextricably linked to a heightened societal drive towards achievement.
Highlighting a stark decline in educational conditions, Lin-Klitzing contrasted the current state with the period following the initial PISA shock in 2001. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with rising rates of mental health challenges among young people, diminished learning engagement and an increase in migration – contributing to a reduced familiarity with the German language – have created a more complicated educational landscape. She further pointed to the disruptive influence of smartphone usage and the pervasive anxiety stemming from a backdrop of escalating global crises, all contributing to an environment where educational demands are often overlooked. The association contends that the cumulative effect of these factors risks undermining Germany’s future competitiveness and societal stability.