The German state of Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz) and Scotland have enjoyed a close relationship for many years. At the same time, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) has forged strong networks with numerous Scottish partners through its JGU Scotland HUB. In March 2021, the relevant Scottish and Rheinland-Pfalz ministries signed a Declaration of Intent to enhance collaboration in education, science, research, and culture. This was further augmented in June 2024 by a Cooperation Agreement signed by the JGU Scotland HUB and the Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance (SULSA), which is designed to promote strategic collaboration in the fields of life sciences, environmental sciences, and biotechnology. Now, the JGU Scotland HUB has initiated a pioneering education-related project called TEACHING SCOTLAND, aimed specifically at secondary school teachers in Rheinland-Pfalz.

"The purpose of TEACHING SCOTLAND is to raise awareness of the cultural and literary richness and diversity of Scotland during secondary-level English lessons in Rheinland-Pfalz. The new initiative encourages teachers to explore what Scotland has to offer and to prepare teaching resources that reflect their enthusiasm for Scottish topics. This will provide their students with intercultural access to and appreciation of Scotland’s history, culture, and literature during English lessons at school," emphasized Dr. Dominik Wallerius and Hannah Mai of the JGU Scotland HUB.

In recent months and with the support of the JGU Center for Lifelong Learning (ZWW), the Scotland HUB established a professional continuing education initiative for teachers that has already been attended by 19 participants from Rheinland-Pfalz and Hesse. Following keynotes by Dr Ronnie Young and Dr Corey Gibson of the University of Glasgow, who had previously contributed to the revision of the National Curriculum in Scotland, the participants prepared initial lesson drafts designed to teach selected examples of Scottish literature to secondary school students. After a successful launch, TEACHING SCOTLAND will be continued with virtual GET togethers and with an in-person event once a year.

"At the JGU Scotland HUB we can build upon valuable experience in establishing TEACHING SCOTLAND, for example with the virtual lecture series READING SCOTLAND, which we have been running successfully for many years," explains Professor Dr Sigrid Rieuwerts, Director of the JGU Scotland HUB and JGU Commissioner for Scotland. "Our READING SCOTLAND series regularly invites participants to virtual gatherings where we explore Scotland’s literature and culture together. By now, people interested in Scotland from all over the world are tuning in – especially when we host Scottish authors. We want to build on this success with TEACHING SCOTLAND and create an opportunity for virtual exchange on Scotland-related topics in secondary schools."

TEACHING SCOTLAND is part of the extensive range of activities undertaken by the JGU Scotland HUB, which has become the primary point of contact for Scotland-related research, academic collaboration, and cultural exchange in Rheinland-Pfalz. Since 2011, the JGU Scotland HUB has been arranging trainee positions at Scottish schools for German educational trainees in Mainz through its GET Across Borders programme. From 2021 onwards, students from Mainz, Scotland, Ireland, and Latvia have been invited to collaborate in Global Outreach (GO) projects focusing on topics such as climate change, diversity, and sustainability. These projects facilitate short-term student mobilities and promote long-term cultural exchange. In addition, the LPlus course programme provides teaching degree students at JGU with the opportunity to undertake a structured two-semester educational stay in Scotland that is arranged in close cooperation with Scottish partner universities, school authorities, and schools in Scotland. All these activities of the JGU Scotland HUB contribute to enhancing the internationalisation of Mainz University, while also supporting the on-going expansion of intercultural exchange and networking.

The TEACHING SCOTLAND initiative is financed by the Scottish government’s Scottish Connections Fund that has been set up to support Scotland's international diaspora. In his message delivered to mark the inauguration of the project, Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture of Scotland, stated: "The Fund aims to promote visibility and links between Scottish diaspora communities. […] By encouraging new links, we want to help create a thriving and truly international Scottish community around the world. Projects like TEACHING SCOTLAND are vital to achieving this aim. I'm sure that it will create a lasting impression of Scottish culture in Rhineland-Palatinate and will help strengthen the relationship between Germany and Scotland."