L2 Journal: An electronic refereed journal for foreign and second language educators

Worldwide, education promises a better future for aspiring generations. However, our current educational landscape has been shaped by neoliberal thinking, and is thus often oriented toward economic objectives. In Germany Bildung is a notion coined by philosophers representing a broad liberal and critical education, and the cultural and historical context of this ideal dictates how scholars and society defend educational values. However, in a so-called ‘knowledge society,’ education and language proficiency become parameters to assess the economic value of members of society vis-à-vis employment. In particular, immigrants are required to prove their merit in the labor market by learning German and acquiring educational qualifications. The influx of immigrants into German society thus requires a new approach to Bildung. This article explores the impact of economic reasoning and globalization on the discourse surrounding Bildung.