The exchange programme for language assistants has been running for over a hundred years. The programme is organised by the cultural ministers of Germany's various states.

Around 1,000 language assistants come to Germany every year. But this year, for the first time, eight language assistants from China are also taking part in the programme.

"My name is Chu Hao and I come from Beijing," one of the assistants introduced herself. "I have studied German for four years. I will go to Berlin. I haven’t got any teaching experience from China, this is the first time I will be teaching. I want to teach Chinese culture and at the same time, I want to learn more about Germany."

Increasing demand

China is becoming increasingly important for the German economy. Despite this, when asked about Chinese culture, many people can only think of "Peking duck". Very few Germans speak Chinese. That's expected to change soon -- at least among schoolchildren.

"Usually, we have exchange programmes with countries whose languages are taught here, particularly English," said programme co-ordinator Günter Jacob from the Educational Exchange Office, "but there is an increasing number of schools which also offer Chinese."

At the moment, Chinese is only taught in 120 schools throughout Germany. Pupils mostly learn it in after-school workshops. But some schools offer Chinese as a second foreign language option -- and this is where the Chinese language assistants are needed.

When they first arrived in Germany, the assistants say they had to make their way through a whole jungle of bureaucratic formalities -- opening bank accounts, for example, arranging health insurance or visiting the registration office proved to be a real challenge. Chang You, one of the assistants, explained that it was sometimes very alien to her.

Once they've got through the red-tape nightmare, the assistants will have to get used to the daily routine in their schools. In China, they studied German but not how to teach. For many, this will be the first time in front of a class.

Cultural ambassadors

The Chinese assistants are not just language teachers but are also expected to teach their pupils about their country's culture. Programme co-ordinator Günter Jacob explained: "They don’t give any marks or reports. They are there to teach the language and culture, and that should help make the lessons livelier, more varied and more interesting. Language assistants are young people, and generally get on well with our pupils because they have similar interests."

Language assistant Chu Hao is happy to do more than teach language -- she considers herself a "cultural ambassador" and not only wants to teach her pupils Chinese but also about culture, daily life in China and all about arts and crafts.

Moreover, whilst over here the Chinese students are learning about German culture and daily life and how to rid themselves of some of their prejudices -- the Germans are not as serious as they expected, they say, and the trains are always late!