Britons could enjoy passport-free travel in the EU, as Germany looks to scrap Brexit red tape restrictions.
The German Embassy in London is lobbying the Home Office to abolish post-Brexit limitations which makes it hard for young people to travel abroad.
It wants school children on trips and exchanges to be allowed in the country without a passport, in a bid to improve the uptake of the language in British schools.
A campaign which is championing for a loosening of restrictions is being led by various German celebrities, including a TikTok star, some football teams, and a Great British Bake Off finalist.
The German language has dwindled in popularity over the last 20 years
Getty
All are calling for more young Britons to study German for one of their GCSEs.
The language has become increasingly unpopular with school pupils, ever since it became optional at GCSE 20 years ago.
Last summer, only 34,700 students sat a German GCSE, a drastic decline from 125,600 in 2003.
Similarly, just 2,358 sat an A-Level in the foreign language in the same year, down from 6,950 two decades before.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The German embassy wants school children on trips and exchanges to be allowed in the country without a passport
GETTY
The German ambassador, Miguel Berger, has told the Home Office that they are willing to scrap the requirement for British teenagers to need school passports to travel to Germany for educational visits.
Berger said that the move would make visits for British teenagers easier, cheaper and less bureaucratic.
He said: “We have some hurdles — children need passports, before Brexit that was not the case. We have offered to the British government to get rid of passports and visa requirements.
“School exchanges would definitely incentivise language learning and make it as easy as possible to experience the other country and culture. For those who don’t travel so often, not having a passport is an obstacle. We have seen the number of youth and school exchanges dropping by around 75 per cent in the last four years.”
Berger stressed the importance of learning a foreign language, even though English is spoken so widely throughout the world.
“Many people think it’s not necessary because, in the rest of the world, people speak English, but learning a language goes well beyond using words abroad — you have a totally different access to a foreign culture and understanding,” he said.
The German Embassy thinks fewer travel restrictions will encourage an uptake in the language
PA
“To get a real understanding of another country requires you to learn the language.”
A German vegan social media star has become the face of the UK’s branch of the Goethe-Institut, a German cultural organisation which is encouraging British teens to improve their language skills.
Maya Leinenbach, 19, is challenging her followers to film a cooking video in German. The winner will be invited to a workshop.
The organisation is also offering scholarships for football-loving youths to join a sporting camp at FC St Pauli in Hamburg.
Jurgen Krauss, a German Bake Off finalist, is also tipped for its campaign.
Andrea Pfeil, deputy director of the Goethe-Institut in London, said British schoolchildren were at a disadvantage in learning foreign languages as there was less time in the school calendar devoted to languages.
She added: “Teachers often feel they need to teach structure and grammar but our approach is to make sure that you have that communicative success. So if I ask you for a cup of coffee it doesn’t matter if I have a couple of grammar mistakes in there.
“That’s where the focus should be. It’s good for students if they have the feeling they can actually say something, even if there are mistakes.”
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
