Folk High School Article Index for
Folk
Website Links For
Folk
 

Information About

Folk High School




The word is in : ''Volkshochschule''.


FEATURES

The common features of different folk high schools are:

  • Usually one year in duration

  • Boarding school

  • A large variety of subjects

  • No finishing exams

  • Focus on self-development

  • Pedagogical freedom


In general, there is a differentiation between Christian folk high schools and free-thinking schools.


HISTORY

The first folk high school was founded in Rødding , Denmark , in 1844 , on initiative of Kristen Kold and inspired by the educational thinking of Nicolaj Frederik Severin Grundtvig . It was sparked by a need to educate the uneducated and often poor Peasantry , who could not spend neither the time nor money to enroll at a University .


SWEDEN

The first group of folk high scools in Sweden were established in 1868. The folk high schools of today are mainly situated in remote areas, often on the Countryside . There are today around 150 folk high schools spread around all parts of the country. Education is free and eligible for standard student funds. After graduating, the student will be eligible for studies at a university.

Some schools have cooperation with schools in other countries, allowing exchanging students, as exemplified by Södra Vätterbygdens Folkhögskola near Jönköping .


GERMANY

A Volkshochschule in one of the ''German-speaking countries'' usually provides non-credit continuing Adult Education in:

  • general education

  • vocational education

  • political education

  • German as a second language (especially for Immigrants )

  • different foreign languages

  • different forms of art

  • information technology

  • health education

  • preparatory classes for school exams (especially for the Abitur or Matura )


This type of Folk high school is currently most widespread in Germany . Due to its offering of preparatory classes for school exams, the German Volkshochschule also fulfills the educational function of Adult High School s in other countries.


EXTERNAL LINKS