Language and Reading Skills: Nele McElvany on WDR 3 Forum

The language and reading skills of children in Germany continue to be the focus of public debate. According to the latest PIRLS study, reading literacy among children in Germany have declined even further. Around a quarter of children do not achieve the minimum level of proficiency by the end of primary school. This development raises questions about the consequences for educational opportunities, career prospects, and social participation.

In the WDR 3 Forum, host Michael Köhler talks to Professor Nele McElvany, Professor Steffen Gailberger (University of Kiel), and Heike Schmoll (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung) about causes and possible solutions. Topics discussed include early childhood education, systematic language and reading support, ABC classes, and texts in simple language. The focus is on the question: Which approaches are suitable for improving language skills in the long term?

In the discussion, Professor McElvany emphasizes the central importance and necessary expansion of early childhood education. She also proposes introducing the subject “Learning German” as a supplement to specifically address deficits in language skills.

Listen to the full discussion (German): WDR 3 Forum