- MADRID: Language teachers say the prospect of finding a job in Germany has boosted the numbers of Spaniards learning German.
Spain and Germany jointly unveiled a recruitment drive in January designed to reduce high unemployment in Spain while supplying Germany’s buoyant economy.
Both countries agreed to recognize each others’ academic and training qualifications.
Now, Germany’s Goethe Institute in Madrid has recruited 1,780 students this year, 23.6 percent more than in 2010, said spokeswoman Constanze Michel.
Interest also rose in the northeastern port city of Barcelona, where 19 percent more have enrolled, spokesman Marc Borneis said, adding the institute has 2,680 students in Spain.
Spain’s unemployment levels are at 20.3 percent, a eurozone high.