PASCH-Schools: How everything started?
English language was for long time the only foreign language in the Omani school curriculum. But, in 2000 a reform in the education system opened the door to include other foreign languages. The Goethe-Institute, together with the German embassy in Oman, were able to convince the Omani Ministry of Education to introduce German language in the schools.
From German Learners into German teachers
The first issue that faced such step was who would teach German at the Omani schools, as there were no qualified Omani teachers for German language to date. Therefore, the Ministry of Education has chosen Omani English teachers who studied inside the country. In cooperation with the Goethe-Institut a team of Omani teachers should be qualified within one year to take this job.
Get to know German(y) intensively
First of all, teachers had to switch their role and go back to school. They had to learn German in several courses at the Goethe-Institute in Muscat as well as experience more about Germany through several stays in the country, as they would be expected to teach German and convey a comprehensive image about Germany. Finally, the teachers had to participate in didactics training that should provide them with the most modern approaches to foreign language teaching.
German as an elective subject
In 2012 German language has already been introduced as an elective second foreign language beside French in five schools in Oman. Two of these schools shortly joined the PASCH-initiative (Schools: Partners for the Future). Those were Hail Al Awamer Girls’ High School and Barakat bin Mohammed Boys‘ High School.
Successful German classes
Thanks to the PASCH-Initiative and the efforts of the Goethe-Institute in Oman, German classes were offered following the most modern European standards of language teaching. The continued advanced training of the teachers is continuously conducted since 2012 covering the fields of language and teaching methods/ didactics. Moreover, about 100 male and female students could meanwhile take the “Fit in Deutsch 1” Exam which constitutes the first step in an international career. The success of the “Pilot project of 2nd foreign language” speaks, indeed, for itself, where the ministry of education is currently evaluating the nationwide introduction of German in Omani schools.
How does PASCH-Initiative work?
PASCH-Initiative (which means in English “Schools: partners for the future”) has been originated by the German Federal Foreign Office in 2008 with the aim to encourage young people around the world to learn German language. To this end, the on-site experts provide guidance to school administrators, ministries and schools in developing the teaching of German language. The PASCH- supervisors regularly visit the schools and provide training to the German teachers in seminars and workshops, both in linguistic as well as in professional issues. They provide lesson planning, teaching materials and content. In addition to ongoing support for teaching German language at school, the PASCH- supervisors also organize projects such as summer schools, language camps and competitions. They are also the first point of contact for exchange programs with German schools, language courses or study in Germany.
