A personal and historical reflection on German education from Humboldt to the 1970s: the rigor of continual assessment, the dignity of the old Abitur, the rise of the Gesamtschule, and the slow erosion of standards in the late twentieth century. Seen through the eyes of an English teacher working in North Rhine-Westphalia, this article contrasts German seriousness with British drift and explores how a once-formidable system began to follow the comprehensive path already taken in the UK and the USA.
Month: November 2025
Vom Ideal der europäischen Einheit bis zur gegenwärtigen politischen Spannung: Dieser Essay verbindet Schiller und Beethoven mit den heutigen Herausforderungen der deutschen Demokratie. Er zeigt, wie die „Ode an die Freude“ Europas moralische Vision formte – und warum der Verlust des politischen Dialogs diese Vision heute bedroht.
From Schiller and Beethoven to the EU project, and from Steinmeier to the AfD, this essay explores how Germany’s cultural idealism once shaped Europe — and how today’s political tensions threaten the unity symbolised by the “Ode to Joy.” Dialogue, not exclusion, is the test of democratic confidence.
Exsultate Deo adjutori nostro Versus 1 Exsultate Deo adjutori nostro; jubilate Deo Jacob.Rejoice in God our helper; shout with joy to the God of Jacob. Word Notes: Versus 2 Sumite psalmum, et date tympanum; psalterium jucundum cum cithara.Take up the psalm, and bring the tambourine; the pleasant psaltery with the harp. Word Notes: Versus 3 …
Qui regis Israel, intende Versus 1 Qui regis Israel, intende, qui deducis velut ovem Joseph; qui sedes super cherubim, appare coram Ephraim, Benjamin et Manasse.You who rule Israel, give ear — you who lead Joseph like a flock; you who sit upon the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh. Word Notes: Versus 2 …
Deus, venerunt gentes in hereditatem tuam Versus 1 Deus, venerunt gentes in hereditatem tuam; polluerunt templum sanctum tuum, posuerunt Jerusalem in pomorum custodiam.O God, the nations have entered your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple and made Jerusalem a heap of ruins. Word Notes: Versus 2 Posuerunt morticina servorum tuorum escas volatilibus caeli, carnes …
Attendite, popule meus, legem meam Versus 1 Attendite, popule meus, legem meam; inclinate aurem vestram in verba oris mei.Give ear, my people, to my law; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. Word Notes: Versus 2 Aperiam in parabolis os meum; loquar propositiones ab initio.I will open my mouth in parables; I will …
Voce mea ad Dominum clamavi Versus 1 Voce mea ad Dominum clamavi, voce mea ad Deum, et intendit mihi.With my voice I cried to the Lord, with my voice to God, and he listened to me. Word Notes: Versus 2 In die tribulationis meae Deum exquisivi; manibus meis nocte contra eum, et non sum deceptus.In …
Notus in Judaea Deus Versus 1 Notus in Judaea Deus, in Israel magnum nomen ejus.In Judah God is known; in Israel his name is great. Word Notes: Versus 2 Et factus est in pace locus ejus, et habitatio ejus in Sion.And his place has been established in peace, and his dwelling in Zion. Word Notes: …
Ut quid, Deus, repulisti in finem? Versus 1 Ut quid, Deus, repulisti in finem, iratus est furor tuus super oves pascuae tuae?Why, O God, have you cast us off forever? Why has your anger blazed against the sheep of your pasture? Word Notes: Versus 2 Recordare congregationis tuae, quam possedisti ab initio; redemisti virgam haereditatis …