Beyond the textbook – pupil courses

Study German in Germany:Alongside bringing German teachers into UK classrooms, UK–German Connection also offers.. pupils the opportunity to take language learning beyond the classroom through the German Pupil Courses (Deutschland Plus). These two-week immersive programmes give UK pupils the chance to travel to Germany, speak German in real-life contexts, and experience culture, school life, and … Continue reading “Beyond the textbook – pupil courses”

How do we move from teaching about language to living it in the classroom?

Language comes alive when real people enter the classroom. For teachers exploring how to bring language learning to life, UK-German Connection offers a powerful answer. At its core, the organisation is dedicated to one mission: bringing young people together. It supports this through a wide range of grants, advisory services, professional networks, and exchange programmes—delivered … Continue reading “How do we move from teaching about language to living it in the classroom?”

Living the Language: Bringing authentic, real-time materials into the classroom with minimal preparation

At our recent language event at the University of Birmingham, Dr Ruth Whittle gave an inspiring talk on how AI can be used to create engaging lesson materials, encourage critical thinking, and challenge stereotypes in the language classroom. Using the simple prompt “Dr Feldmann arbeitet an einem Gymnasium in Frankfurt. Beschreibe seinen Tag in wenigen … Continue reading “Living the Language: Bringing authentic, real-time materials into the classroom with minimal preparation”

Language Learning as a Superpower: Inspiring Voices from Language Outreach

Event in Nottingham: Day 3 Some conference sessions leave you with pages of notes. Others leave you with something much more valuable: renewed enthusiasm. The Language Outreach session was exactly that. Listening to passionate speakers champion the future of language learning in the UK was genuinely uplifting. With conviction, optimism, and more than a little … Continue reading “Language Learning as a Superpower: Inspiring Voices from Language Outreach”

Living the Language 2026: Supporting German Teachers Across England

Living the Language – Thank You for Joining Us! What an inspiring week! Our Living the Language events took place on 9 June in Liverpool, 10 June in Birmingham, and 11 June in Nottingham, bringing together passionate German teachers from across England. A huge thank you to everyone who attended. Your enthusiasm, curiosity, and commitment … Continue reading “Living the Language 2026: Supporting German Teachers Across England”

Building a new Tower of Babel for a multilingual future – insights from the language event

The message is simple: we live and breathe languages — through networks, communication and community, outreach, and inclusion of AI, connecting schools, universities, and the world of work, building international bridges. Spread the word. It was truly inspiring to see and hear such a fantastic group of speakers come together for this discussion on the … Continue reading “Building a new Tower of Babel for a multilingual future – insights from the language event”

Living the Language Programme

Living the Language: University of Birmingham Alan Walters Building G11 Wednesday, 10 June 2026, 9.30 – 16.30 Morning: From 9.00 Registration 9.30       Welcome:  von der gastgebenden Uni, vom DAAD-Team und vom Goethe-Institut 9.45        Auf Schatzsuche mit dem/der GEM  What German Expert Mentors can bring to the German classroom: mentoring and CPD; example in practice  10.45 – 11.00 Kaffeepause  11.00    Charlotte Ryland (Oxford, Queen’s … Continue reading “Living the Language Programme”

Towards an Authentic (German) Language Classroom

Our 3-year Project  ‘Towards an Authentic (German) Language Classroom’ has been made possible through the DAAD-Programme ‘Promoting German Studies in the UK and Ireland’ and is funded by the German Foreign Office. It comes in response to the declining numbers of  learners of German in particular and Modern Languages more generally, at secondary as well … Continue reading “Towards an Authentic (German) Language Classroom”

Multilingualism – The new mindset

In our globalised world, being monolingual is actually the exception, even if it’s a comfortable one. Being able to speak to almost everyone we meet without relying on Google Translate is a real privilege. Fortunately, many people can express their thoughts and opinions in more than one language. In fact, across Europe, speaking only one … Continue reading “Multilingualism – The new mindset”

Ostern im Klassenzimmer

Auch anlässlich zu Ostern hat unser Projektteam eigens entwickeltes Material im Klassenzimmer getestet. Im März durften die Schülerinnern und Schüler der Barr Beacon School (Teil der Matrix Academy) Osterbräuche in Deutschland kennenlernen und dies als Anlass nehmen, um über ihre eigenen Freizeitaktivitäten auf Deutsch zu sprechen. Insgesamt: ein guter Erfolg Im Rahmen unseres Projektes wurde … Continue reading “Ostern im Klassenzimmer”