The people of Baden-Württemberg might have trouble speaking ‘high’ German, but not English. Even first-graders are learning English. Accents reports on English teaching in schools.

At first the seven-year-old girl is confused. “Could you close the door, please?” repeats the teacher, this time pointing to the door. The child looks from the door back to the teacher, and stands up. The teacher acts out the motion of pulling a door shut. “Yes, that’s right,” she says encouragingly, “close the door.” Now the girl walks over and closes the door. “Very good. Thank you,” says the teacher.