Language and friendship as a bridge between cultures – Goethe-Kids explored Regensburg
The excursion to Regensburg, organised by the Goethe Centre of the University of South Bohemia for the children in its afternoon German courses, showed that language education can be not only effective but also fun and inspiring. By combining lessons with city exploration, meeting peers and a cultural programme, the children enjoyed a unique experience that brought the German language to life in its natural environment.
On Saturday, October 11, the off-site event in Regensburg took place, prepared by the Goethe Centre USB in cooperation with the Czech School in Regensburg. Aimed at children enrolled in the Goethe Centre’s afternoon German courses, the programme offered both language learning and cultural experiences.
Already on the bus ride, the children engaged actively in language learning: they completed a geography quiz based on the places we passed, and learned key vocabulary on topics such as the Danube, the Šumava Forest, the Bavarian Forest, the ancient Romans, and the landmarks of Regensburg and České Budějovice. This activity supported both their geographic orientation and their language skills.
The morning was dedicated to a visit to the Czech School in Regensburg, where the children met local peers, played Czech-German language games together, and tried interactive activities aimed at developing their spoken German. The result of their morning work was a postcard which we signed together and sent to České Budějovice.
The afternoon programme began with a short children’s theatre performance at the school. Afterwards, Czech and German children joined a guided tour of Regensburg’s historic centre, learning fascinating facts about the city’s history, its architecture, and its role in Czech-German relations. This was followed by a visit to a UNESCO exhibition and a tasting of local specialties at Wurstkuchl.
The event was part of the Goethe Centre USB’s broader educational concept, which links language courses with exploring the neighbouring country and motivates children to learn German through real-world experiences. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the wonderful ladies of the Czech School in Regensburg and their families, and to all our partners, parents and teachers for their support and help in organising this extraordinary excursion. We look forward to more joint trips and adventures!
The Czech School in Regensburg – Tschechische Schule Regensburg e.V. is a non-profit association founded in 2013 that supports bilingual education for children from Czech and Czech-German families in Regensburg and the surrounding area. It offers afternoon and Saturday courses in Czech language, literature, history and geography for children aged 0 to 15, following a curriculum recognised by the Czech Ministry of Education. Teaching is conducted in a playful manner and complemented by cultural and community activities that strengthen Czech-German understanding and the children’s linguistic identity.
The Goethe Centre of the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice is an educational and cultural institution dedicated to promoting German language teaching and Czech-German cooperation. It offers language courses for children, youth and adults that combine modern teaching methods with a playful approach and a strong emphasis on communication. The children’s courses are led by experienced instructors and are often linked to cultural events, trips and projects that allow participants to experience German in a real context and develop their language skills naturally.
