Study Visit 2012 “Successive bilingual modules in general and vocational schools”

The ongoing process of internationalization of the economy makes the ability to communicate in a foreign language a key skill on the European job market. The Thuringian Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, situated in the capital of Thuringia, Erfurt, took up this challenge and is implementing bilingual modules as a flexible, partly compulsory form of bilingual learning and teaching in both general education secondary schools and vocational schools. This innovative approach opens up bilingual modules for pupils from different educational backgrounds. This project is accompanied by an extensive offer of in-service teacher training which supports teachers in preparing and implementing bilingual modules.

Content of the study visit

Participants will

• visit general education secondary and vocational schools with bilingual learning;
• observe bilingual lessons and discuss with students;
• meet teachers;
• visit the Thuringian Institute for In-Service Teacher Training, Curriculum Development and Media and meet teacher trainers and facilitators.

General information on the study visit

Arrival:           Sunday, 18th March 2012
Departure:    Friday, 23rd March 2012

The study visit is hosted by the Thuringian Ministry for Education (TMBWK) and the Thuringian Institute for In-Service Teacher Training, Curriculum Development and Media (Thillm). The aim of the study visit is to promote bilingual modules as a means of opening up bilingual education to students from different educational backgrounds and enhance exchange on related issues.

The participants of the study visit will spend the week in Erfurt, the capital of the federal state of Thuringia. Accommodation for the week will be arranged in a hotel in Erfurt.
There will also be day trips to other towns nearby.

Travel information

People participating in the study visit will have to arrange for transport to and from Erfurt.
Erfurt is located about 100 km southwest of Leipzig, 300 km southwest of Berlin, 220 km west of Dresden and about 260 km northeast of Frankfurt. To reach Erfurt, you can either fly to one of these cities or you can directly fly to the  airport of Erfurt.
If you fly to Leipzig, Berlin, Dresden or Frankfurt, you can continue your journey by train to get to Erfurt. There are direct train connections from Erfurt to all these cities.
Travelling times by ICE train are as follows:

• Leipzig central station – Erfurt central station: approximately 1.2 hrs
• Berlin central station – Erfurt central station: approximately 2.5 to 3hrs
• Dresden central station – Erfurt central station: approximately 2.5 hrs
• Frankfurt central station – Erfurt central station: approximately 2.5 hrs