Before you head to Germany, LEC takes a look at a custom you may encounter during your language study trip to Germany : Hitzefrei!
What does the term "Hitzefrei" mean?
The term " Hitzefrei " consists of two parts:
- The heat, which means the heat
- Frei, which means free
Do you know the answer to the riddle? If not, here’s a hint: in the education system of our neighbors across the Rhine, it’s a custom whereby students are excused from class… when it gets too hot!
How about a language study trip to Germany in the beautiful summer heat?
During a language study trip to Germany, you’re less likely to experience intense heat waves than during a language trip to Spain —but never mind that, “Hitzefrei” is a time-honored tradition among our German neighbors! While the conditions for declaring “Hitzefrei” vary from one state to another, the custom can also apply in the workplace in certain regions of Country.
"Hitzefrei" in Germany: Why and How?
Generally speaking, German schoolchildren are dismissed if, at 11 a.m., the thermometer in a designated classroom reads over 25 degrees. The bell then rings, and the students are dismissed! The reason: "Hitzefrei" is based on the principle that excessive heat hinders children’s learning, and that it is therefore better to send them home.