The introduction of Low German as a subject at schools in Lower Saxony is making progress. Three teachers from the districts of Aurich and Osterholz and from the Lüneburg Heath were the first to successfully complete a certificate examination with teachers from the Bachelor's degree programme in Low German at the university, which was launched in 2023.
Anja Enninga from Ihlow Integrated Comprehensive School, Nele Ohlsen from Wallhöfen Primary School and Hambergen Cooperative Comprehensive School and Dr Wilfried Zilz from Walsrode Grammar School are part of the network of advisors preparing the state-wide introduction of Low German as a school subject.
Lower Saxony's Minister of Education Julia Willie Hamburg congratulated the three teachers: "I congratulate the first three successful Low German graduates - they also stand for the many very committed teachers who are committed to the Low German language in our schools and beyond."
The language examination is based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and takes into account the special conditions of the regional language Low German. The now C1-certified teachers will in future test other teachers in Lower Saxony with regard to their Low German language skills. Staff from the Low German and Sater Frisian specialisation area at the University's Institute for German Studies are also working on the necessary examination materials.
Anyone interested in studying the subject of Low German can still enrol on the Bachelor's degree course in Low German at the University of Oldenburg until 15 October. The Bachelor's degree with the career goal of school qualifies students for the Master of Education degree programmes in the subject of Low German, which students can take in Oldenburg from the winter semester 2026/27.
