Brandenburg State to Launch Model Project to Strengthen Language Support in Kita

1. Background of Preschool Language Support in Germany

In Germany's federal structure, legislative power over education is delegated to the states. As a result, each state has implemented its own standards to assess language development in early childhood and prepare for school entry. Since the 2000s, the state of Brandenburg has introduced "KISTE (Kindersprachtest)" to measure vocabulary and grammar comprehension for all children one year before school enrollment.


However, due to demographic changes, an increase in immigrant families, and a shortage of childcare workers, there has been ongoing criticism that the current system does not effectively facilitate early intervention.mbjs-fachportal.brandenburg.de

2. Overview and Objectives of the Model Project

The model project being launched is designed around three main pillars: ① advancing the timing of screenings, ② enhancing the quality of support programs, and ③ establishing an evaluation system based on scientific evidence. The state education ministry emphasizes "language stimulation through play" and aims to enhance oral language skills before literacy by focusing on the existing program "Handlung und Sprache." The support will continue in after-school care post-enrollment to ensure learning continuity across grades.tagesspiegel.debiff.eu

3. Participation of 70 Kindergartens, Covering the Entire State

A total of 70 kindergartens from all 14 districts and 4 independent cities in the state applied, achieving a balanced distribution between urban and rural areas. The participation conditions are as follows.

• At least one language specialist with professional qualifications must be assigned

• Screening results and support plans must be digitized and shared

• Cooperation with external research institutions in the evaluation process

This will allow for the collection of data from children with diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, potentially leading to the visualization of regional disparities.tagesspiegel.de

4. Introduction of "Sprachscreening für das Vorschulalter"

The new screening reduces the examination time by about half and simultaneously measures vocabulary, grammar, phonemic awareness, and comprehension. In the past year's pilot, the accuracy improved to over 90%, and the results were immediately output as digital records, allowing for quick utilization in parent meetings and future planning. The state education ministry has officially announced plans to replace the old test statewide by 2027.mbjs.brandenburg.de

5. "Handlung und Sprache"—A Support Method Integrating Play and Dialogue

This program focuses on expanding vocabulary while emphasizing experiences where children verbalize their actions. For example, activities like expressing spatial concepts such as "high, low, above, below" during block play, or learning tenses and honorifics through role-playing sessions. Research reviews report an average 25% increase in vocabulary size after six months of implementation.biff.eu

6. Consideration for Multilingual Environments

It is said that about 30% of preschool children in Brandenburg use a language other than German at home. The model project adopts a policy of enhancing German language skills while respecting the retention of the mother tongue. Specifically,

1. Placement of "Sprachlotsen (Language Guides)" who share the mother tongue

2. Provision of multilingual educational materials for families

3. Parent-participatory workshops
   
   are planned. This will facilitate school transition for immigrant families and curb educational disparities.tagesspiegel.de

7. Human Resource Development and Training Challenges

Amidst the nationwide issue of a shortage of childcare workers, securing language specialists is not easy. The state collaborates with state universities and training schools,

• Expansion of online training

• Remote coaching once a week

• Dispatch to model kindergartens for in-school training credits
  
  Combining these, there is a plan to develop about 300 specialized personnel over two years.mbjs-fachportal.brandenburg.de

8. Expected Effects and Interim Evaluation Indicators

The model project has set the following KPIs over three years.

Conduct a mid-term evaluation at the end of fiscal year 2026 and adjust the program according to the degree of achievement.

9. Policy Impact and Spread to Other States

In the eastern part of Germany, where both declining birthrates and increasing immigration are progressing, it is pointed out that improving the quality of education is directly linked to regional competitiveness. If the model project succeeds, Berlin and Saxony are also considering introducing similar early screening, which is likely to lead to the establishment of federal-level standards.

10. Implications for Preschool Education in Japan

In Japan, early differences in vocabulary are also noted as a factor in academic disparities. Although there are few cases of standardized screening led by the government, "transition period curriculums" connecting preschool and elementary education are spreading at the municipal level. The model that integrates testing → feedback → continuous support, as seen in Brandenburg, offers insights for Japan's integrated early childhood education and care centers. Particularly in urban areas where the number of children with foreign roots is increasing, a multicultural approach that balances respect for the mother tongue with second language acquisition is urgently needed.

Conclusion

The model project in Brandenburg is an attempt to eliminate bottlenecks in language development before school entry and to realize equal learning opportunities. The process of combining the latest screening with play-centered programs across 70 kindergartens and refining policies through scientific evaluation can also serve as a reference for Japan, which faces challenges of declining birthrates and multicultural coexistence.

Reference Article List

• Tagesspiegel "Education: Kita Model Project Aims to Improve Language Support" June 12, 2025tagesspiegel.de

• Brandenburg State MBJS Official Portal "Compensatory Language Support"mbjs-fachportal.brandenburg.de

• MBJS Press Release "Language Screening for Preschool Age"mbjs.brandenburg.de

• BiFF.eu "Action and Language Program Overview"biff.eu