18.03.2011: "Sprint - Language and Integration", as part of "Mainz - City of Science 2011", is now in its second year
Incorporating individual language acquisition as a normal component of school life
The aim is to promote the linguistic skills of children and young people as a basic requirement for success at school by means of the project "Sprint - language and integration." This comprehensive project to boost language skills among children and young people has been developed by the Heinrich Böll Foundation of Rhineland-Palatinate. Some 25 student teachers have been boosting the language skills of about 100 school children in a creative and playful way. The students thus gain better insight into teaching practice, while the children and young people profit from the individual development of linguistic skills in small groups. As part of "Mainz - City of Science 2011", this joint venture between the city of Mainz and the Center for Educational and University Research at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz is now in its second year.
"'Sprint' is an introduction to the first project being evaluated as part of the 'City of Science,' as it constitutes a special connection between the university and educational institutions," maintains Professor Franz Hamburger, spokesman for the Center for Educational and University Research at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. "In the interests of school children, these kinds of project plans cannot be set in the short-term. In the long-term, their effects can be carefully investigated."
The Sprint classes usually take place with small groups twice a week outside the classroom at the following schools in Mainz: The Frauenlob-Gymnasium, the Fritz-Strassmann-Realschule, IGS Anna Seghers, IGS Mainz-Hechtsheim, and Schiller-Hauptschule. It is important to the Heinrich Böll Foundation to aim the project at more than just the linguistic education needs of migrants. "The Sprint project is aimed at addressing the linguistic deficits of children and young people, irrespective of their origins and mother tongue, as children with a purely German background also often have to contend with linguistic difficulties," explains Wolfgang Faller, Executive Director of the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Rhineland-Palatinate. "It is high time to adapt the school system to ever more complex social structures. The individual acquisition of linguistic skills must be regarded as a normal part of the school day, for example, by means of integration into the concept of an all-day school. Discussions are currently being held with the relevant authorities."
Sprint education is based on creative teaching methods and concentrated support. "The quality assurance process for such remedial education takes place by closely linking the participants and providing them with continuous educational support, especially in the form of a parallel seminar held at the Institute of Educational Science at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz," said Sahar Parsa, Project Coordinator of the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Rhineland-Palatinate.
Funding required for German as a subject
Linguistic abilities form the basis for success at school. This has been repeatedly confirmed by the PISA studies. "Therefore, we have a clear need for a sizable group of trained staff to provide the necessary support for our school children in the German language," said Harry Poignie, head of IGS Anna Seghers. "Currently, we do not have sufficient funds. We are, therefore, pleased to be part of the 'Sprint' project."
Not only children with remedial language needs, but also future teaching staff benefit from the concept. "Future teachers and school children practice cooperative work styles," said Christina Schreiber, the Dean of students at IGS Anna Seghers. "This strengthens their communicative abilities, their self-confidence and their social behavior." The Ministry for Education, Science, Youth and Culture also acknowledges that teaching students will benefit from the project. From now on, the students can have their activities recognized as an introductory internship for the Bachelor study course.
Sprint is supported by Herzenssache (Heartfelt), the children's support program run by SWR und SR and the Ministry for Education, Science, Youth, and Culture for Rhineland-Palatinate. The content of the project is being supported by KONTAKTE e.V., the education and integration association.