At Franco-German secondary schools, teaching and everything else is conducted in the two languages. Let us introduce you to one of these bilingual schools. At this school, pupils and staff alike can be heard switching constantly between the two languages. The completely equal status enjoyed by both languages is also reflected in the running of the school, responsibility for which Schmelz shares with his French colleague Miguel Rubio. There are five Franco-German secondary schools in the two neighbouring countries.
In addition, there are two schools in France, one in the small town of Buc near Paris and one in Strasbourg. The agreement is seen as a milestone in terms of the reconciliation and close partnership between the two countries in Europe.
To this day, the Franco-German secondary schools remain true to this tradition. Franco-German Day is, on the one hand, a very special occasion for the schools, the two head teachers explain. Madey explains that the older he becomes, the more he realises just how enriching and shaping it was for him to attend a bicultural school. This is something he also attempts to convey to his students. And if you spend every day with French and German classmates, this gives rise to connections and affinities with the culture.
After leaving the school, pupils can also profit from the bicultural exams they took there. Anyone who has passed their German-French Abitur will speak at least two languages virtually fluently and will have excellent chances on the international employment market.
Former pupils work in all kinds of different sectors in Germany and France, though also in places like Canada or the USA. And that is what our society urgently needs. Skip to main content. Dark Mode. Enlarge text. Frontpage Knowledge Education and Learning. Franco-German friendship at schools At Franco-German secondary schools, teaching and everything else is conducted in the two languages.
