On 23-24 June the German Embassy in Madrid, together with the Universidad Complutense and the Spanish Association of Teachers of German, FAGE, organised a 2-day conference to promote the learning of German in Spanish schools. German teachers from across Spain were treated to a plethora of keynote speeches covering a broad range of topics from how the brain learns languages through the professional development opportunities for teachers afforded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Commission to the study opportunities for school pupils outside Germany via the Zentralstelle für das Auslandsschulwesen, ZfA. But teachers did much more than simply listen – they were able to engage actively in round table discussions and in working groups to discuss solutions to the common challenges they face. On the evening of the 23rd all participants were invited to a reception hosted by the German Ambassador to Spain, Mr. Peter Tempel.
On the second day, discussions continued with representatives from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport and from seven of the regional educational authorities. In her keynote delivered in Spanish, Sarah Breslin, Executive Director of the ECML, widened the discussion on German to the value of all languages and to the contribution of the ECML to quality language education. Teachers and decision-makers present gave their overwhelming support to the idea of Spain returning to the ECML. In the meantime, Sarah encouraged them to delve into the ECML’s treasure trove of resources, many of which she presented in detail.
The ECML was invited to take part in this event by Mr. Peter Platte, Counsellor for Education and Culture, German Embassy, Spain.
Sarah Breslin, Executive Director of the ECML
Peter Platte, Counsellor for Education and Culture, German Embassy, Spain
Reception at the residence of the German Ambassador to Spain
Photo credits: @ German Embassy, Spain