random cross cultural observation

Our German as a Foreign Language course takes place in a public school. Our classroom is for middle school aged students during the day. I believe they are the age equivalent of sixth graders in the U.S. Currently on the back wall of the classroom some student work is displayed. They essentially made personal bios, including a picture, favorite food, hobbies, etc. What they want to do as a career when they are older was also included.

As a middle school teacher for 2 years I recall what many students said they wanted to do when they were older. In the U.S., I remember almost all of the students saying things like “football player, basketball player, baseball player, model.” Other more realistic students would say things like “doctor” or “lawyer.” Still many of the students would have no idea.

I found a huge contrast between the German answers and the American answers. Of course a certain level of homogeneity among the German students’ answers existed just like the Americans. After all, it is a middle school. So, I tallied up what the students said on the wall in this German classroom. The results are: 1 farmer, 2 hair dressers, 3 mechanics, 8 kindergartner teachers , 1 soccer player, 1 actress, and 3 carpenters. Talk about a society more productive than lawyers and ignorant athletes.

Personally, I believe our education system in America is a failure (in certain areas, anyway). We push University degrees and college prep courses so much. Students are (indirectly) taught that they will have no job skills unless they complete a four-year degree (minimum). Technical college students are seen as second-class citizens to University students, and high school students that participate in “career center” programs in H.S. are just seen as weird. My opinion.

Many non-University students in Germany participate in work-study programs. They study and apprentice in their field for 3 years. These programs finish about the time they are 19 years old. Upon completion they have marketable skills to present to potential employers. I’ve met people who just finished or who are participating in apprentice-study programs. One is now a baker, the other is studying stone cutting (for restoration of historic buildings).

It’s unfortunate that we have become a nation of consumers and lost a lot of our productive edge that made our economy so strong in the past. A lot of it has to do with cheap products from China, globalization, and big box stores. Those things aren’t all bad, and it’s certainly more complex than just those three things. I’m not trying to speculate on the roots or solve any of these problems, I’m just ranting about them.