original text by http://www.euractiv.com
More and more Spaniards are enrolling in German language courses, seen as a way for them – and their money – to get out of their country's failing economy.
Uwe Mohr, director of languages at the Goethe Institute in Brussels, told EurActiv that his German language school had seen a huge increase in applications from Spanish and Portuguese students over the past two years, especially at branches in those countries.
Mohr, also coordinator for language programmes in southwest Europe, said the Goethe Institute in Madrid had seen enrollments rise from 4,000 in 2010 to an expected 7,000 in 2012.
The Barcelona branch also saw a large spike in enrollments, up from 1,975 in 2010 to 2,628 in 2011.
Cada vez más españoles se inscribe en los cursos de alemán, vistos como una forma para ellos - y su dinero - para salir de la economía en crisis de su país.
"Uwe Mohr, director de las lenguas en el Instituto Goethe de Bruselas, dijo a EurActiv que su escuela de alemán había visto un enorme aumento en las solicitudes de los estudiantes españoles y portugueses en los últimos dos años, especialmente en las sucursales de esos países.
Mohr, también coordinador de los programas de idiomas en el suroeste de Europa, según el Instituto Goethe de Madrid había visto la matrícula aumentará de 4.000 en 2010 a un estimado de 7.000 en 2012.
La rama de Barcelona también se produjo un repunte importante de la matrícula, en comparación con 1.975 en 2010 a 2.628 en 2011."
Mohr said a number of Spanish unemployment agencies had been working with German businesses to supply them with German-speaking graduates in a number of areas where there is a knowledge shortage, such as engineering and nursing.
With youth unemployment at just over 50% in Spain, by enrolling in German courses other young Spaniards were, Mohr said, taking a risk, betting on finding a job abroad.
More than a thirst for education, the desire of young Spaniards to learn a second, or a third, language signals their mistrust in their country’s future.
“I’m thinking of leaving,” said Diana Garcia, a 27-year-old art historian and interpreter of sign language, who has been unemployed since March.
“This is the first steps towards getting out,” chimed in engineer Juan Luis.
“To work now, knowing English is not enough,” he said. “They ask for a high level of German and 10 years experience.”
The demand has been so great that places at the city’s Official School of Languages are filling up fast, with applicants worried they will not get in.
At the school, German has overtaken English as the most popular foreign language, with registrations highest for intensive courses.
“They don’t let you pre-register on the webpage and we don’t know if we will arrive before all the places are taken,” said Carmen Barbera, a 22-year-old translator.
Germán, the school’s caretaker, commented: “We are overwhelmed. Last year there was not even half this.”
ECTACO Info
www.ectaco.cz, www.ectaco.es
Mohr, also coordinator for language programmes in southwest Europe, said the Goethe Institute in Madrid had seen enrollments rise from 4,000 in 2010 to an expected 7,000 in 2012.
The Barcelona branch also saw a large spike in enrollments, up from 1,975 in 2010 to 2,628 in 2011.
Cada vez más españoles se inscribe en los cursos de alemán, vistos como una forma para ellos - y su dinero - para salir de la economía en crisis de su país.
"Uwe Mohr, director de las lenguas en el Instituto Goethe de Bruselas, dijo a EurActiv que su escuela de alemán había visto un enorme aumento en las solicitudes de los estudiantes españoles y portugueses en los últimos dos años, especialmente en las sucursales de esos países.
Mohr, también coordinador de los programas de idiomas en el suroeste de Europa, según el Instituto Goethe de Madrid había visto la matrícula aumentará de 4.000 en 2010 a un estimado de 7.000 en 2012.
La rama de Barcelona también se produjo un repunte importante de la matrícula, en comparación con 1.975 en 2010 a 2.628 en 2011."
With youth unemployment at just over 50% in Spain, by enrolling in German courses other young Spaniards were, Mohr said, taking a risk, betting on finding a job abroad.
This week people could be seen queuing up round the block in the centre of Spain’s third city, Valencia, waiting their turn to enroll in language courses, wrote daily El Pais.
“I’m thinking of leaving,” said Diana Garcia, a 27-year-old art historian and interpreter of sign language, who has been unemployed since March.
“This is the first steps towards getting out,” chimed in engineer Juan Luis.
“To work now, knowing English is not enough,” he said. “They ask for a high level of German and 10 years experience.”
The demand has been so great that places at the city’s Official School of Languages are filling up fast, with applicants worried they will not get in.
At the school, German has overtaken English as the most popular foreign language, with registrations highest for intensive courses.
“They don’t let you pre-register on the webpage and we don’t know if we will arrive before all the places are taken,” said Carmen Barbera, a 22-year-old translator.
Germán, the school’s caretaker, commented: “We are overwhelmed. Last year there was not even half this.”
ECTACO Info
www.ectaco.cz, www.ectaco.es
