SIX teacher training students from Germany are currently visiting Deri View Primary School for three weeks for the practical part of their course.

The students are from The Fachakademie fur Sozialpadagogik in Munich and are in their third year of the five year training course to become Kindergarten teachers.

The course in Germany involves college work and practical placements in schools or Kindergartens.

They were chosen out of 240 students in their year and had to achieve top marks in their English language work and their previous practical placements, in order to be eligible.

Dr Michael Leidner, their lecturer said, "We send students abroad because we want them to see how other countries organise Early Years education.

"There is a lot of discussion at the moment in Germany, about the education system, especially that of Early Years.

"Many people think that the German system is not efficient enough because it is too play- centred and neglects the competences that children might need at school. We hope that our students get a better idea of how this could be improved."

The students are enjoying their stay and say they are learning a lot about the British education system.

Susanna Dunkes said, "This is such a good experience. I am impressed by the Foundation Phase work the young children are doing. I have learnt so many things to take back.

"In Germany there are no formal lessons for children under the age of seven."

Stefanie Bauer says, "The whole system is so different. The children here have short lessons in groups and then they can play again.

"It is good. I think a mixture of the two systems would be a good idea." The students were impressed that children can stay on the same site from the age of three, when they start nursery, to the age of eleven when they leave for secondary school.

Dr Leidner added, "That is impossible in Germany because there is such a big step from Kindergarten to school which causes a lot of problems. I think the students will understand those problems better and easier, if they see how smoothly it works in Wales."

The link with the college was made when head teacher Maggie Teague and head of early years Annette Melmoth made an educational visit to Munich two years ago.

The school and The Acorn Centre are now part of a Comenius Project which is funded by The European Commission.

This involves the school linking with educational establishments in Germany, Finland, Spain, Romania and Turkey.

Annette Melmoth said, "We enjoy having the students here. It is interesting to hear their views on the differences between the two education systems and the children here can learn about life in German kindergartens."