Cross-cultural development

Language differences are a force for unity, rather than division, at the German School Prague (Deutsche Schule Prag, or DSP) and the secret may be a unique program that sees students approaching language from opposite ends eventually meeting in the middle.

Drawing students from both Czech and German backgrounds, young students begin by having core courses in their native language. At the same time, this is supplemented with learning in the complementary language. Czech students learn German as they go and Germans vice versa.  

"The most important mission of DSP is for both nationalities to learn about the other culture and create a unique mix together," Principal Monika Beuerle says.

Established in 1990, the school is divided into kindergarten, primary- and secondary-school sections. Originally only targeting German children, DSP changed its tack 11 years later. In a move backed by the Education Ministry and the German government, it now offers an eight-year Czech-language education at the elementary-school level and sees the kids meeting up with their German-speaking counterparts in 10th grade, at the age of 16.

Beuerle herself hails from Berlin, and after taking up the principal post, admits she is "fascinated by the city" of Prague.

Prague's proximity to Germany also drew English teacher Stefan Hümmer, from Bamberg, Bavaria, who has been at DSP for seven years, as he rejected teaching jobs in Abu Dhabi and Montevideo, Uruguay.

"Children assimilate here surprisingly quickly, and it's hard to tell the difference between Germans and Czechs," Hümmer says, before admitting Czech students often have a problem "omitting articles," while Germans commonly "struggle with word order."

Even despite an occasional slip-up, Hümmer says, the high level and variation of language skills among DSP students speaks for itself.

It broadens horizons for the students, who know a lot about history and multiple cultures.

Czechs learn about "their big neighbor, but still have different subjects in Czech and in German - the knowledge is broad," he adds.

Beside laying the groundwork for the language skills of its students, DSP is one of the most modern schools in the country with its offer of top facilities, including fully equipped science labs, a music hall with a wide selection of instruments and a theater complete with lighting and sound equipment. There is also a library with more than 8,100 multimedia items, an indoor gym, outdoor sports grounds and a 300-seat lecture hall.

Sixteen-year-old Vu Ngoc Tram, a Prague native of Vietnamese descent, is grateful her parents enrolled her in the unique program.

"I'm happy they forced me into DSP," she said. "I am enjoying the multicultural environment, which is very different from what my friends have [at other schools]."

"We have like 14 nationalities here, so there is no racism. I'm planning to move to Germany or Austria once I graduate."

The school has also upped it emphasis on real-world experience. Beuerle says cooperation with the Czech-German Chamber of Commerce allows students to work for three or four weeks with various firms.

"This new idea is about bringing practical know-how to our school, based on our understanding of the importance of not only continuity in studying but also job-oriented education," Beuerle says.

Whereas in the Czech school system, the emphasis on theoretical knowledge prevails, Beurle says DSP's role is to help students become self-confident individuals, while developing intercultural and social skills.

"We just had a workshop about international differences, and I believe they are necessary. We do not want to do away with them, but we want to bring them together," Beuerle says. "Although the students do assimilate, these differences never disappear."

Klára Jiřičná can be reached at
kjiricna@praguepost.com