Language and Education

The Sorbian language is the central marker of identity of the Sorbian people. Its preservation and transmission are essential prerequisites for a vibrant Sorbian culture and are given close attention on a daily basis.

Early Childhood Education

Bilingual Education

Early Childhood Education through the “Witaj” Model

Day-care centres in the region, such as the Witaj nursery “K wódnemu mužej” in Malschwitz, the children’s centre in Muschelwitz, the “Alojs Andricki” nursery in Radwor | Radibor and “Jan Radyserb Wjela” in Budyšin | Bautzen, offer children the opportunity to learn the Sorbian language from an early age. These institutions teach Sorbian according to the “Witaj” model.
The model is based on the immersion method and follows the principle of “one person – one language”: native Sorbian-speaking educators speak Sorbian with the children – most of whom come from German-speaking families – as a matter of course, without switching to German.

“Witaj” means “welcome” – and all children are welcome, whether from Sorbian, German, other-language or multilingual families.

 


Bilingual Education in Schools of the Region

A major advantage of Lusatia is that bilingual or multilingual education in Sorbian continues seamlessly from nursery into the region’s schools. Parents can choose whether their children are taught in Sorbian-medium classes or learn Sorbian as an additional school subject.

At the following schools, Sorbian is the language of instruction in several subjects:

  • Sorbische Grundschule Budyšin | Bautzen (Website)
  • Sorbische Grundschule „Dr. Maria Grollmuß“ Radwor | Radibor (Website)
  • Sorbische Oberschule Budyšin | Bautzen (zur Webseite)
  • Sorbische Oberschule „Dr. Maria Grollmuß“ Radwor | Radibor (Website)
  • Sorbisches Gymnasium Budyšin | Bautzen (Website)


Sorbian is taught as a foreign language at the following schools:

  • Grundschule Bošecy | Baschütz (Website)
  • Grundschule Malešecy | Malschwitz (Website)
  • Grundschule Hodźij | Göda (Website)
  • Grundschule Wulka Dubrawa | Großdubrau (Website)
  • Grundschule Bukecy | Hochkirch (Website)
  • Grundschule Rakecy | Königswartha (Website)
  • Grundschule Njeswačidło | Neschwitz (Website)