In an attempt to draw more attention to German as a foreign language in Armenia, the German Embassy in Armenia on May 22 and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) on May 20-24 for the first time arranged a trip visiting Armenia’s southern provinces. Within the framework of a project called Deuschmobil the Germans visited schools and institutes of Yeghegnadzor, Goris, Kapan, Meghri and Agarak. The project was open for everybody who had interest in the German language and Germany.

The delegation in Kapan presented 450 books to the Kapan college on behalf the Goethe Institute. A survey on area study was held for the pupils and a training session for teachers of the college.

College director Lernik Petrosyan announced that cooperation would be continuous, as they intended to improve the German language teaching at these institutions, as well as communication with German educational institutions.

Deputy Ambassador of the German Federal Republic in Armenia Melanie Mortman said that the Embassy and DAAD have called the project Deuschmobil in order to present German as a motive force: “The Embassy has come to Vayots Dzor and Syunik to introduce German closer and by donating books to encourage people to learn it. DAAD’s goal is to introduce students to scholarship and exchange programs. The books are teaching manuals, as well as pieces of literature, that would help to make the learning process more interesting.”

The Deputy Ambassador says her embassy wants to encourage Armenians to learn German.

“Of course it’s not a secret that English is the prevailing foreign language in Armenia, but we are trying to preserve German on the list of the main three foreign languages, with English and French as the other two.”

Mortman says that despite having only two classes per week pupils master the language quite well. The Embassy is now negotiating with the Ministry of Education about making German the second language, together with English, to be taught at schools instead of giving them a choice between the two languages, as it is now.

With the assistance of Goethe Institute, trainings will be held for German language teachers of the schools, which have received the teaching manuals.

German writer Mark Degens, who was a member of the delegation, read pieces from his works in Yeghegnadzor and Kapan and introduced contemporary German films and music.

Within the framework of Deuschmobil at Universities of Yeghegnadzor, Goris and Kapan representatives of DAAD talked about opportunities of studying and doing research at German Universities, as well as about scholarships offered by DAAD.

Every year the organization assists more than 50 Armenian students, scholars, and administrative workers. So far financial support has been given to the total of 500 Armenian students and scholars.