Schooling with a difference: Germany vs. UK – Stella M.
As my exchange year is nearly coming to an end I would like to talk about some differences in school between both countries, England and Germany.
One of the hardest challenges, especially in the beginning was adapting to a completely new language which is often even made more difficult through the use of slang that is very present in my age group. In addition, there is the fact that the English language is quite broadly diversified. There are countless synonyms for all words, which makes the general understanding even more difficult. Another difference, to which I firstly had to get used to, was having school on Saturdays. Whereas in Germany you only have school from Monday to Friday here in England you also got lessons on Saturday mornings and afterwards sport – before you can finally unwind and start into your weekend.
Another difference is the dress code. Here wearing a uniform is compulsory, no matter whether it is for school, free-time clubs or any kind of sports. In general, here value is placed on an appropriate look overall, whether that concerns the hairstyle, the skirt length or simply the shoes.
The last point I want to refer to is the sixth form. Whereas in Germany you have mostly three A-levels and an average of eight core subjects your A-levels are based on, in England you only select three A-levels and one additional elective subject, in which you are then tested every term in form of tests and mock exams. Additionally, the sixth form lasts just two years and not three like in most federal states in Germany.
These are the most significant differences I have noticed as a German exchange student who spent two terms at a boarding school in England.
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