Region: Germany

Request to reduce strictness on precise article usage in German language exams

Petition is addressed to

Goethe-Institut, telc gGmbH, ÖSD (Austrian Language Diploma) and the relevant departments of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research

27 Signatures

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27 Signatures

Collection finished

Launched May 2025
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Petition addressed to: Goethe-Institut, telc gGmbH, ÖSD (Austrian Language Diploma) and the relevant departments of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research

We, the undersigned, call on the institutions responsible for administering German language exams to abolish the requirement for precise use of articles in language assessments.

The use of articles is extremely challenging and often illogical for many language learners, especially at beginner levels. This requirement should not negatively affect the overall exam score.

Our goal is to establish a fairer and more realistic evaluation system that focuses on actual language skills, particularly reading comprehension, listening, and speaking abilities.

Such a change would also benefit Germany, a country currently facing a significant shortage of skilled labor.

Reason

This petition is important because thousands of language learners face unfair challenges in German language exams due to the complex and inconsistent use of grammatical articles (like "der", "die", "das" and their case-based changes).

These article rules often do not reflect real communication skills, but they heavily impact exam scores. By removing the strict requirement to use articles perfectly, the exams will better reflect true language ability — especially in listening, speaking, and reading.

This change would also help reduce barriers for skilled immigrants and international workers, supporting Germany’s efforts to solve its skilled labor shortage.

Thank you so much for your support, سامان کنشلو, Buchholz

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