The EBIS German Department
“The one who does not know foreign languages knows nothing of his own.”
(Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)
Learning German as a second foreign language is a key feature of the Curriculum at EBIS starting from Key Stage 1/Year 1. Not only has it been found that an early start in foreign language learning will develop the linguistic competences and intercultural abilities and learning strategies of young pupils. It is fun, too. Films, audio resources, and multimedia are used regularly to enhance the curriculum taught, exposing the students to authentic materials. Therefore, the approach to learning and teaching German at our school is active, enjoyable and very successful.
The support by Goethe Institute and the PASCH initiative promotes a rising quality in learning and teaching at our German department. The “Schools: Partners for the Future” (PASCH) initiative creates a global network of more than 1,800 PASCH schools with particular ties to Germany. The Goethe-Institute supports around 550 PASCH schools of over 100 countries. The initiative is designed to arouse and sustain young people’s interest in and enthusiasm for modern-day Germany, German society and the German language.
The support by Goethe Institute and PASCH brings us many advantages and benefits, like
- scholarship for students: Every summer there is the chance for students with good results in A2-Goethe-Certificate to take a scholarship for 3 weeks summer course in Germany.
• Competition between other PASCH schools in Cairo, like debating, reading and writing.
• Artistic activities, like singing with the PASCH choir at a big concert and workshops with German musicians.
• Cultural projects, like learning history and visiting the historical places. Here actual: ‘The Mediterranean project’
• Promotion of girls in STEM, like ‘Girls Day’
• Teachers training and workshop at Goethe Institute and at German high schools to keep up with the latest teaching methods and materials.
EBIS German department are very active and engaged in PASCH/Goethe projects and Goethe Institute Cairo honored us with some prices, like the ‘Teacher of the Year’ award.
Here are some examples of our PASCH/Goethe projects & activities
Pro Girls
100 Egyptian 16-year-old school girls from PASCH schools in Cairo and Alexandria are taking part in Girls’ Day and summer internship. This professional orientation is put into practice with the support of Egyptian private sector companies engaged in STEM and management/leadership. ‘ProGirls’/Professional Orientation of Girls, is implemented jointly by the GIZ program ‘EconoWin’ – commissioned by the Federal German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development- and by PASCH. Some EBIS girls received career guidance with a focus on STEM and managerial positions. They spend a summer internship at Mercedes Gas, ACT, CISCO, General Motors, Coca Cola and Juhayna,
Over Bridges and Walls
In this project, PASCH students from Egypt, Jordan, Belgium, Albania and North Macedonia exchanged ideas. The task: What do you associate with bridges and walls? What walls are there in your life or country? Which bridges have you crossed and which bridges do you want to build in the future?
EBIS team took the 1st place. Here the winner video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdKfq3FHeis
