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Phorms bilingual schools boast top-notch tech

As parents fret over children’s internet habits, a network of bilingual schools in Germany shows that putting computers in the classroom from an early age yields positive results.

Phorms bilingual schools boast top-notch tech
Photo: Phorms Education

“As a teacher, I stress the point that the computer is just a tool,” Silane Mwenechanya, an information and communications technology (ICT) teacher with Phorms Education in Frankfurt, tells The Local.

“I try to give the students the skills to view this tool in an advanced way, not just for entertainment.”

Phorms Education, which introduced a new model of education in Germany nearly ten years ago, now has seven schools in the country: in Hamburg, Berlin Mitte and Berlin Süd, Frankfurt City and Frankfurt Taunus, Munich, and the Josef-Schwarz-Schule in Baden-Württemberg.

The Phorms Education model incorporates the required curriculum of Germany, but also goes above and beyond. Instruction is in both English and German from day one, encouraging students from kindergarten to 12th grade to gain native fluency in both languages.

It’s a method that apparently works, as enrolment has skyrocketed in recent years. Phorms Education now has more than 500 teachers and nearly 3,000 students of nationalities from around the world.

Never satisfied with the status quo, however, the schools have now taken the next step by integrating new technology in the classroom from an early age in an effort to increase pupils’ awareness of the possibilities of technology.

“We have Smartboards in every classroom, and we also do a lot of work with Macbooks,” Mwenechanya, explains. “Many students have been using technology for years when they come to the school, but primarily for entertainment.”

Students at the Phorms schools in Frankfurt start taking ICT courses in first grade – as opposed to sixth or seventh grade in most German schools – and have 45 minutes of computer instruction per week. According to Mwenechanya, that’s enough for students to develop an understanding and interest in using the tool for other courses as well.

“Our students really learn about the technology, theory, and programs, and then they can use that information in other subjects, presentations, and research in other subjects.”

So far, the results are convincing.

“We are a young school, and compared to state schools we have a huge advantage in this regard,” Mwenechanya says. “By the time the kids enter high school, they have a very good understanding of what the internet is, and can operate a computer independently.”

Such skills may seem basic, but are critical at a time when many German students struggle with computer literacy. According to the International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS), up to a third of German eighth graders have significant weaknesses when it comes to operating computers. Only 1.6 percent of German students stated that they use a computer every day in school.

“I cannot speak for the state schools in Germany,” Mwenechanya says, “as we really are quite a bit ahead. Our students are well-prepared and have good knowledge of computers.”

According to the head of the Frankfurt Phorms schools, Michael Gehrig, there is a fine balance when it comes to incorporating technology into the classroom – but so far it’s only been a blessing rather than a burden.

“There is too much screen time on a daily basis in general,” Gehrig tells The Local. “So we do have to watch as a school that we use it wisely.”

Initially wary of such technology as Smartboards, Gehrig says he now appreciates the way they level the playing field for students of many different backgrounds and skill sets.

“They help address different learning styles, offering audio, visuals, and text,” Gehrig explains. “So they are definitely an aid in understanding various topics.”

The feedback from both parents and students has been positive. But Gehrig points out that Phorms’s extra emphasis on technology does not make traditional methods any less important.

“Everyone agrees that this is a cool thing to have, but our parents also agree that reading books is very important for their children,” Gehrig says. “We have a nice balance, because most of our parents place high value not just on digital education, but also the traditional way.”

Indeed, students must first and foremost learn to read, write, and calculate according to traditional approaches. Gehrig says that these are the sound foundations on which students can go on to develop new tools of learning.

“We don’t want to lose a whole generation to the blue flickering parent that is the screen,” Gehrig remarks. “This is a tool which we must accompany with instruction, teaching, guidance, and awareness of how to use it wisely.”

The new technology is just one of many ways in which Phorms is raising the bar, and while Gehrig suspects that the concept will gradually spread, he said it is just one part of a bigger picture at Phorms.

“We are also working on developing cooperation with the IT-department of Goethe University Frankfurt,” Gehrig explains, “and in January I am meeting with the CEO of a private graduate school to discuss how we can cooperate in the field of IT.”

You can learn more about the Phorms schools and their concept at one of their information events. Click here to find out more.

This article was produced by The Local and sponsored by Phorms Education
 

GERMAN TRADITIONS

What’s open and closed in Germany over the Easter weekend?

People in Germany get a four day weekend over Easter. How are shops, transport and medical services affected by the public holidays?

What's open and closed in Germany over the Easter weekend?

Easter itself falls very early this year: Easter Sunday also coincides with the clocks going forward an hour for summertime, while Easter Monday in 2024 is on April Fool’s Day.

The Easter weekend starts on Friday March 29th, however, many Germans take some days before and after the weekend to extend their holiday. 

Whether you live in Germany or are visiting, here’s what to expect:

READ ALSO: What exactly is Germany’s Green Thursday?

Gründonnerstag or Green Thursday 

Gründonnerstag or Green Thursday falls on March 28th this year. 

This isn’t an official public holiday although some companies do give this day off to staff as a gesture. 

Many people in Germany book this day off themselves as part of their annual leave to extend their Easter holiday. 

One thing you should be aware of – shops will be busy with lots of queues on this day since the following day is a holiday. 

Karfreitag or Good Friday

In Germany, Good Friday, which is on March 29th, is a public holiday or Feiertag. 

Traditionally no church bells are supposed to ring and no music should be played as this is the day Jesus was crucified. The word Kar comes from old German Kara, meaning sorrow or grief.
 
For many parts of Germany, this quiet time also means it is still illegal to dance on Good Friday. But whether anyone actually enforces this is another question.

In general, you can except the majority of workplaces to be shut as well as schools.

Supermarkets, retail stores and pharmacies also won’t be open (except for a few in areas such as train stations) so make sure you have enough groceries at home. 

Restaurants and cafes are usually open on public holidays and eager to accept customers. 

Saturday

Opening hours across the country will function as they normally do on Saturday March 30th. 

But do expect supermarkets to be super busy because they are closed on the following two days.

Ostern or Easter Sunday

Like any other Sunday in Germany, shops and supermarkets will be closed. 

People in Germany often like to spend this day with families so you should expect lots of people of all ages doing activities like a walk in the forest or park, Easter egg hunts or going to church. 

Chocolate Easter eggs are not a big tradition in Germany compared to other places like the UK, for example. But there are still plenty of chocolate bunnies around. 

READ ALSO: 10 ways to celebrate Easter in Germany like a local

An Easter hare statue outside ah ouse in Coburg, Bavaria.

An Easter hare statue outside ah ouse in Coburg, Bavaria. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Daniel Vogl

Ostermontag or Easter Monday

This falls on April 1st and is another public holiday in Germany. 

Once again, that means workplaces are closed as well as shops, post offices and supermarkets. 

What about public transport?

Public transport runs all throughout the holiday period, but on public holidays there is normally a Sunday schedule. 

Nationwide train services also run across the period (but keep in mind that there could be a strike since we’ve seen a lot of them lately). 

What about schools?

Schools in Germany will be closed on Easter Monday and Good Friday.

Pupils also get a holiday that usually lasts two weeks around Easter, known as the Osterferien. 

Schools in Bremen, Hamburg and Lower Saxony started their break on March 18th. 

Other states follow around March 23rd-25th. Schleswig-Holstein schools are the latest to start their break, which runs from April 2nd to April 19th.

READ ALSO: What days will workers in Germany get off in 2024?

Doctors, pharmacies and hospitals 

Doctors’ offices and pharmacies are usually closed on public holidays, such as Good Friday and Easter Monday.

But you could still try calling your GP firstly in case they have a message letting you know the details of the on-call doctor. 

You can also contact the non-emergency medical on-call service by calling 116 117 who can advise you if you have urgent questions about your health.

You can also head to the 116117 website to find a local surgery that offers emergency services.

In an emergency, call 112 for the fire brigade or ambulance or 110 for the police. 

Make sure you are stocked up on any medications you need before the public holidays. 

Tourist attractions

Many tourist attractions will be open as normal throughout the Easter period, including Good Friday and Easter Monday but some may operate altered opening hours. Check the attraction’s opening hours before visiting. 

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