Press releases of Europa-Universität Flensburg (EUF)
Paul und Emma un ehr Frühnnen - Paul and Emma and Their Friends
Pupils learning Low German will already know Paul and Emma from their schoolbooks. In the new workbook, the two characters and their friends now give children even more opportunities to read, write, and speak the regional language. The workbook is part of a textbook project jointly supported by Europa-Universität Flensburg, the state of Schleswig-Holstein, and the Plattdüütsch Stiftung Sleswig-Holsteen regional foundation for Low German.
Johannes Callsen, Schleswig-Holstein’s Commissioner for Minorities, emphasized the key role of schools in keeping the Low German language alive:
“This workbook is another important step in the effort to make our regional language, Plattdeutsch, more accessible to young people. As part of the ‘Paul and Emma’ series, it provides teachers with strong didactic support and allows pupils to explore the language in a fun context that's connected to everyday life. I'm certain that this will bring a lot of enjoyment to learning and teaching our regional language.” He also thanked the many dedicated teachers at the state’s Low German model schools for their commitment to teaching Low German.
Key Focus: Research and Teaching of Regional and Minority Languages
Christiane Hipp, President of Europa-Universität Flensburg, commented: “As a university located in a multilingual border region, we place great importance on the research and teaching of regional and minority languages. We are delighted that the new workbook is now ready to be presented and distributed to model schools.”
Schleswig-Holstein’s model school program for Low German was launched in 2014 to give young people the opportunity to learn the regional language. In the 2024/2025 school year, 41 primary schools and 12 lower secondary schools are functioning as model schools. Since 2015, Paul and Emma have accompanied pupils in grades 1 and 2, with a second volume for grades 3 and 4 published in 2018. The new workbook adds practical exercises and other tasks in order to further reinforce language learning.
Keeping Low German alive through language instruction in schools
“Sadly, fewer and fewer families in Schleswig-Holstein speak Plattdeutsch at home. To counter the risk of language loss, school-based Low German instruction plays a crucial role. The workbook presents an environment that is entirely Low German, allowing pupils to fully immerse themselves in the language and its vocabulary. It encourages them to actively use and write Low German and integrates the regional language more deeply into the daily lives of pupils, their families, and friends,” explains Robert Langhanke, project leader and head of EUF's Department of Low German Language and Literature and Its Didactics. The new workbook was developed by Christiane Ehlers, Marianne Ehlers, Robert Langhanke, and Karen Nehlsen, and was designed and illustrated by Nicola Ashtarany. It is published by the publishing house Quickborn-Verlag in Hamburg.
A cross-regional workbook designed to make language learning fun
Spanning 80 pages, the new workbook offers follow-up exercises for all 16 units of the textbook. The exercises are designed to deepen pupils’ knowledge of Low German and encourage independent learning. Pupils can write directly in the workbook.
The workbook project was supported by Europa-Universität Flensburg, the state of Schleswig-Holstein, and the Plattdüütsch Stiftung Sleswig-Holsteen. Thanks to their support, it can be used directly in the classroom at model schools.
While it complements the textbook, the workbook was designed for use across different regions. It focuses on Northern Low German with a Holstein influence, yet can easily be used in other nearby Northern Low German regions. As teachers and pupils alike will quickly discover,“In dat Arbeitsbook vun Paul un Emma un ehr Frünnen bringt Plattdüütsch veel Spaaß!“ ["In the Paul and Emma and friends workbook, Low German is a lot of fun!"].
Robert Langhanke M.A.
Projektbeauftragter für Niederdeutsch
- Phone
- +49 461 805 2200
- robert.langhanke-PleaseRemoveIncludingDashes-@uni-flensburg.de
- Building
- Gebäude Oslo
- Room
- OSL 151
- Street
- Auf dem Campus 1
- Post code / City
- 24943 Flensburg
Juliane Groß
Pressesprecherin
- Phone
- +49 461 805 2771
- juliane.gross-PleaseRemoveIncludingDashes-@uni-flensburg.de
- Building
- Gebäude Dublin
- Room
- DUB 220
- Street
- Campusallee 3
- Post code / City
- 24943 Flensburg