During the citizens visit to Göttingen in September 2023, the Deputy Mayor of Göttingen (an English teacher) asked if any of the group wished to to assist her in an English lesson she would be giving at the Juvenile Detention Centre in Göttingen. Four willing volunteers stepped forward and armed with just their ID went along early one morning to assist in the hour and a half lesson to six young men aged between 19-22 years on remand there.
One of the Cheltenham guests who went along, commented:
”They had all prepared questions to ask us about ourselves. ‘How old are you?’ rather threw us, well it threw me! Of course they had to write down our answers, so sorting out how numbers are expressed in English was helpful to them. Another very interesting question was what rule do you enjoy breaking? None of us could think of one!! Some had considerably more English than others and all were fascinated at our drinking black tea without sugar.
During their break we were shown the greenhouse where they grow plants for the Municipal Gardens. I, perhaps foolishly, asked one of them what job he had done previously and he replied ‘criminal’. Well, that told me!
They were all very nice young men and one can only hope that the (very) open young offenders prison in Göttingen will be their only experience of life ‘inside’. I use my souvenir ‘prison’ mug and think of them.”
Well done to the four volunteers, who all found the experience quite fascinating and interesting and not an activity one would normally be offered on a regular trip overseas. Benefits of international twinning links!
Cheltenham International Partnerships 