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English to English translations [PRO] Social Sciences - Education / Pedagogy / School system
English term or phrase:Realschule vs High School
I need to know if the german Realschule is equivalent to the American High School. If a person has a Realschule diploma, can this person obtain an official translation that gives him or her the same status as a high school graduate? If this is true, please tell me where I can find such translating service.
Explanation: Betty, This seems to be a recurring question. And people's opinions are divided. Many would say that the "Gymnasium" is the same as "high school" whereas "Realschule" isn't. That's not entirely true. A "Realschule" is a type of high school/secondary school.
The translator isn't go to translate "Realschulzeugnis" with "high school diploma". He/she might translate "Realschule" with "intermediate secondary school" and also leave the term "Realschule" in parentheses (or the other way round)
Hauptschule = Lower Secondary School
Realschule = intermediat secondary school
Gymnasium = upper secondary school
In the US, there are so-called credential evaluation services. Foreign students can send their credentials (i.e. translated certificates etc.) to those agencies to have their German degrees/certificates evaluated. Some of those agencies regard the "Realschule" certificate as a "basic high school diploma". To find out more, you might want to check www.wes.org. WES (World Education Services) compares credentials from other countries and compares them with their US equivalents.
Hope this helps :-)
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 40 mins (2004-11-03 21:57:27 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Oops. Sorry.
Meant to say:
WES (World Education Services) compares foreign credentials with their US equivalents.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 54 mins (2004-11-03 22:11:15 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Also, I meant to say:
A translator isn\'t going to translate (not: A translator isn\'t go translate).
I should try to type more slowly :-)
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 1 day 1 hr 37 mins (2004-11-04 22:54:27 GMT) Post-grading --------------------------------------------------
And one more thing (I didn\'t have time to write more yesterday):
If the person only has a \"Realschulabschluss\", chances are he/she won\'t get into college. If the person has a \"Realschulabschluss\" plus some sort of vocational training (e.g. Fachoberschule), being admitted *might* be possible (depends on state regulations). Definitely check out \"community colleges\" - admission requirements are less strict.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 1 day 1 hr 55 mins (2004-11-04 23:12:13 GMT) Post-grading --------------------------------------------------
This is a German link, and I don\'t know if you can read German, but it meantions community collges that the require the \"Abitur\" *or* the \"Realschulabschluss\".
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 1 day 2 hrs 38 mins (2004-11-04 23:55:44 GMT) Post-grading --------------------------------------------------
Without the typos:
\"....mentions community colleges that require the \"Abitur\" *or* the \"Realschulabschluss\".
You're welcome, Betty :-) Keep in mind, though, that even though some credential evaluation agencies might equate a "Realschulsabschluss" with a "basic high school diploma" this doesn't necessarily mean that community colleges or colleges will agree.
22:39 Nov 4, 2004
Automatic update in 00:
Answers
12 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +1
realschule vs high school
not quite the same
Explanation: German and American educational systems are different and many of the institutions in one system have no exact equivalent in the other. Realschule and High School are somewhat similar but not the same. Also, HS ends with grade 12, Realschule (I believe) with grade 10.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 15 mins (2004-11-03 21:32:10 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
As far as what diplomas and certificates and degrees are accepted anywhere, you\'ll have to contact the appropriate institutions — it\'s not just a matter of translation.
ntext United States Local time: 03:16 Works in field Native speaker of: English, German PRO pts in category: 12
Explanation: Langenscheidt "Realschule = secondary school leading to intermediate qualification; Amerikanisches Englisch etwa junior high school"
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 53 mins (2004-11-03 22:10:44 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Handbuch der Internationalen Rechts- und Verwaltungssprache =
\"generally for pupils aged 10 to 16, in Berlin 12 to 16, after completion of the Grundschule, involving altogether ten years attendance at school; leaving certificate gives entry to the Fachoberschule or to an employment training; formerly Mittelschule with leaving certificate as Mittlere Reife\"
Jonathan MacKerron Local time: 10:16 Works in field Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 4
5 hrs confidence:
realschule vs high school
below
Explanation: You may find a reputable US educational credential verification agency - the best way ask the body where you plan to submit your credentials what agency they regonzie the most (they may have some preferences); otherwise I'd look for the agency which is recognized by the US gov.
They will provide the asessment and do everything else.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 5 hrs 47 mins (2004-11-04 03:05:03 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Oh, more,
The German embassy (consulate) in the States can recommend you the agency as well.
Vladimir Dubisskiy Local time: 03:16 Native speaker of: Russian, Ukrainian
Explanation: Betty, This seems to be a recurring question. And people's opinions are divided. Many would say that the "Gymnasium" is the same as "high school" whereas "Realschule" isn't. That's not entirely true. A "Realschule" is a type of high school/secondary school.
The translator isn't go to translate "Realschulzeugnis" with "high school diploma". He/she might translate "Realschule" with "intermediate secondary school" and also leave the term "Realschule" in parentheses (or the other way round)
Hauptschule = Lower Secondary School
Realschule = intermediat secondary school
Gymnasium = upper secondary school
In the US, there are so-called credential evaluation services. Foreign students can send their credentials (i.e. translated certificates etc.) to those agencies to have their German degrees/certificates evaluated. Some of those agencies regard the "Realschule" certificate as a "basic high school diploma". To find out more, you might want to check www.wes.org. WES (World Education Services) compares credentials from other countries and compares them with their US equivalents.
Hope this helps :-)
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 40 mins (2004-11-03 21:57:27 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Oops. Sorry.
Meant to say:
WES (World Education Services) compares foreign credentials with their US equivalents.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 54 mins (2004-11-03 22:11:15 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Also, I meant to say:
A translator isn\'t going to translate (not: A translator isn\'t go translate).
I should try to type more slowly :-)
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 1 day 1 hr 37 mins (2004-11-04 22:54:27 GMT) Post-grading --------------------------------------------------
And one more thing (I didn\'t have time to write more yesterday):
If the person only has a \"Realschulabschluss\", chances are he/she won\'t get into college. If the person has a \"Realschulabschluss\" plus some sort of vocational training (e.g. Fachoberschule), being admitted *might* be possible (depends on state regulations). Definitely check out \"community colleges\" - admission requirements are less strict.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 1 day 1 hr 55 mins (2004-11-04 23:12:13 GMT) Post-grading --------------------------------------------------
This is a German link, and I don\'t know if you can read German, but it meantions community collges that the require the \"Abitur\" *or* the \"Realschulabschluss\".
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 1 day 2 hrs 38 mins (2004-11-04 23:55:44 GMT) Post-grading --------------------------------------------------
Without the typos:
\"....mentions community colleges that require the \"Abitur\" *or* the \"Realschulabschluss\".
I apologize :-)
Annika Neudecker Local time: 10:16 Native speaker of: German PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
This answer was the most helpful to me. Thank you so much.
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): -2
