*Integration Council Chairman Juan Lopez Casanava (center) and First City Councilor Thomas Waschki (right) support the language-of-origin classes.*

*© Stadt Bocholt*

Making the case for language of origin instruction (from left to right): First City Councilor Thomas Waschki, Integration Council Chairman Juan Lopez Casanava and Municipal Integration Officer Bruno Wansing.

*© Stadt Bocholt*

16. January 2023Integration Council

Language of origin teaching: exploiting the potential of bilingualism

Bocholt Integration Council and administration appeal to parents to register their children // Registration phase in schools underway

At the moment, the elementary school and the secondary schools are registering for the so-called language of origin classes (HSU) for the coming school year 2023/2024. For this purpose, the pupils receive a letter from the respective school and the corresponding form. The Integration Council of the City of Bocholt and the Integration Office of the City of Bocholt appeal to the parents of children with international family history to take advantage of this offer.

"It has been proven that children with international family histories who are educated in their native language as well as German learn the German language much faster," emphasizes Juan Lopez Casanava, Chairman of the Integration Council of the City of Bocholt.

"Students who change cultures and languages in their everyday lives and thus cross borders and identities between family, friends and social communities are very important for future society," adds Thomas Waschki, First City Councilor and Head of Schools for the City of Bocholt.

HSU "significant building block" for future society

An "important building block" in this regard is the teaching of the language of origin (HSU) in elementary and secondary schools. The district of Borken offers this special instruction for all types of schools to support families with international family histories who are raising their children with several languages and cultures at the same time. For this purpose, school children have received a registration slip and a letter to parents in the last few days at school, which must be returned to the school by February 24, 2023.

Detailed information on the HSU is available on the website of the education authority of the district of Borken.

The Integration Council and the administration are committed to supporting school children and their parents in preserving and maintaining their languages of origin. Municipal Integration Officer Bruno Wansing says, "Parents with international family histories should recognize and take advantage of opportunities by enrolling their children in HSU." If you have any questions, the Integration Council can be reached at 02871 / 21765-612.