Abolition of foreign languages ​​in schools: outrage over Kretschmann's plan!

Abolition of foreign languages ​​in schools: outrage over Kretschmann's plan!

A controversial proposal by Baden-Württemberg's Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann is sparking outrage across the country. The Green Party politician believes that in the future students will no longer have to learn a second foreign language for their Abitur. “We no longer need that today,” emphasized Kretschmann at a media conference in Stuttgart. He argued that modern technology, such as translation devices, makes language learning obsolete. Critics, such as the Philologists' Association, are alarmed and perceive his assessment as a profound attack on the education system and especially on high schools news4teachers reported.

Heinz-Peter Meidinger, former president of the German Teachers' Association, strongly condemns the plans and points out that the loss of a second foreign language would negate significant educational value. Using a language as an example, Meidinger explains: “Every language contains a different view of the world, which you can only experience if you master the language yourself.” Even linguists like Maren Pauli from the language learning platform Babbel warn that learning languages ​​not only promotes linguistic skills, but also empathic and intercultural skills. “Learning a new language helps break down prejudices and prepares young people for a globalized world,” says Pauli in an article by merkur.de quoted.

Technology versus education

Kretschmann's idea of ​​swapping the second foreign language for a subject for digital media literacy is met with strong resistance. Critics argue that language is the basis for access to cultures and identities and that students with only rudimentary language knowledge could fall behind in global competition. GEW chairwoman Monika Stein emphasizes that learning a language goes beyond just ordering ice cream on vacation. “Learning a foreign language meaningfully requires conversation with one another,” she clarifies. While Kretschmann wants to focus on digital competence, education experts warn that the loss of linguistic skills could also jeopardize the use of modern technologies. “A lack of language is ultimately harmful even for the AI,” says head of philology Martina Scherer.