German Connected – GESM at the German Teachers’ Conference 2025

by Volker Schlieske

The 2025 German Teachers’ Conference (DLT) in the Philippines took place on May 23–24—a key event for everyone committed to teaching German in the country with passion and professionalism. As in previous years, GESM was actively involved: as co-organizer, with its own contributions to the program, and as a reliable partner in the German-language education network.

This year’s conference was coordinated by the Goethe-Institut and jointly organized by the DAAD, the Department of European Languages at the University of the Philippines, the Goethe-Institut Philippines, and GESM. The German Embassy in Manila once again served as patron of the event. In his opening address, Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke emphasized the vital role of German teachers in fostering educational and cultural dialogue, building bridges not only linguistically but also culturally between Germany and the Philippines.

With over 110 participants—a new record—the DLT 2025 offered a diverse program of workshops, lectures, and innovative input, while providing plenty of space for professional exchange. We were especially pleased by the strong presence of teachers from the Philippine Department of Education (DepEd), reflecting the growing role of German as an established part of the country’s school language offerings.

This year’s theme, “German as a Foreign Language in Transition: Actively Shaping Diversity”, addressed current trends in language education—from digital tools and subject-integrated language learning to inclusive teaching methods. Well-known publishers such as Klett, Hueber, and Cornelsen also contributed with info stands and engaging conversations about new teaching materials.

The GESM DaF team led its own workshops (special thanks to Mr. Maleyka) and made full use of the conference to connect and collaborate. Once again, it became clear: the most valuable ideas often emerge between sessions—in conversations that spark new insights and perspectives.

After hosting the event on our campus last year, we were able to participate this time from a more relaxed logistical role—though no less actively. This allowed us to observe even more closely the impressive expertise, energy, and creativity within the Philippine DaF community—and to appreciate the importance of such spaces for reimagining the future of German teaching together.

We thank all partners for the trusting collaboration and are already looking forward to DLT 2026!