Back to school at 63 | DW Documentary

Gerhard Prange concealed the fact that he could not read or write for years. In Germany alone six million people are estimated to be in a similar position. But now he wants to change all that.
Gerhard Prange is one of six million Germans who are unable to read or write. Letters from the authorities were left unanswered, leading to all kinds of problems; Prange began drinking and his marriage broke up. Finally he reached a turning point, and admitted that he was illiterate. For him, it was a liberating move and since then his life has improved. He’s stopped drinking, has a regular job and above all, the 63 year old has decided to go back to school and take part in a literacy course. He still needs nearly an hour to write a sentence without mistakes, with the help of a teacher. But he’s set himself a goal, one day Gerhard Prange plans to write a letter to his adult daughter. A report by Axel Rowohlt.
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[@ksanurse]

He’s not alone. In Australia my friend is doing school at 62. Never too old.

[@kelvinobalu1170]

I agree No shame at all in going back to school and learning something new at any age in like

[@ksanurse]

Karlos Khaos Perth

[@ksanurse]

theGoliath don’t be! Remember learning when you are older is GREAT for your brain. You are protected from getting dementia. 😉

[@janer4812]

"my dream is to write my daughter a letter" How I wish my very well educated father can also think like that.. 😔

[@GottaWannaDance]

Yes. So sorry to hear what I think I'm hearing. I've written a million letters but don't know where to send them to my daughter 😞 , so I send them to the universal energy that knows all. I hope your father sends you more than letters very soon, Jane.

[@janer4812]

Thank you 😔 honestly, as a product of broken family, money can never filled up the hole it creates inside the kids.. I have my own family now, yet still and I guess will always be sensitive when I see stuffs regarding father-daughter..

[@JackyMan22]

Nowadays, everyone can read and write... in the internet. Books are for Boomers! Toss em in the trash! XD

[@GottaWannaDance]

@@JackyMan22 You, obviously, don't or can't or maybe aren't on the web enough.

[@JackyMan22]

​@@GottaWannaDance Ok coomer.

[@agneswilder733]

My full respect to this man. People should always be hungry to learn, until we die. Well done Gerhard.

[@kelvinobalu1170]

Its beautiful and sweet that he wants to write a letter for his daughter

[@oceanstaiga5928]

Really a shame that they feel ashamed of their illiteracy. Respect to him for coming out with it and working towards literacy after such a long time!

[@Nicolas-mo4qr]

When he said that his dream is to write her daughter a letter I almost burst to tears 😢 really admiring!

[@fioreblumee]

Wouldn't expect there would be illiteracy problems in a country like Germany, but this person's spirit to learn is very inspiring! Thank you DW for enlightening us.

[@CeeZee001]

I'm guessing because people are embarrassed to share. Either way this man is inspirational.

[@tdgdbs1]

Many people of that age group who grew up in East Germany can't read or write; so were the former Eastern block immigrants. Not a current problem in Germany.

[@RegulareoldNorseBoy]

My daughters grandmom educated herself as a Therapist at the age of 50 Now she's working and really LOVING the job ! Never to late to start something new

[@mohdhamdan8138]

Ee

[@ariefraiser140]

I can't even imagine going through 62 years and not knowing how to read. It's like a whole world of books, media, communication, etc is locked away from you. I hope he succeeds.

[@simone222]

Learning is a life-long endeavour. Age therefore shouldn't be a deterrent. I remember when I was a 21 y/o law student, we had a couple of classmates who were way older than most of us fresh college graduates. The oldest was a 70 yo man who told us that he was only pursuing his dream to become a lawyer and that what matters is that he tried even if ever he didn't pass the course or the Bar. He was a huge inspiration to us.

[@69erone-half50]

Very inspiring. I am already a professional but dreaming also to study law later once I find time.

[@CeeZee001]

@sneksnekitsasnek im 26 and just a year ago I got my ged, now I'm in my second semester of community College with hopes to transfer to uni. I felt like I was to old but age is just a number if you keep your health and keep a young eager mindset. Best of wishes to you

[@davecullins1606]

Did the 70 year-old guy finish?

[@simone222]

@@davecullins1606 Unfortunately, no. He was only able to finish up to 2nd yr due to health issues.

[@simone222]

@@69erone-half50 I actually followed my ❤️ and went to pursue another career path years after passing the Bar. I am now a psychology instructor. Wishing you the best in your endeavours.

[@tulmajok3562]

This is the motivation for the students who are dropping out of the college.

[@Earth098]

'I'm only 63...' I love his positive attitude!!

[@tedsandico]

I respect this man for being so open about his situation with illiteracy and for trying to do something about it too 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@rajmohanyadav14]

Love you DW for these gems! No one except you can put out such a story in front of us

[@davecullins1606]

Finally an old man who is willing to admit his flaws, and even fix them instead of hiding them.

[@dougtheviking6503]

Gerhard, Keep going forward. You are smarter than you give yourself credit for. Manny blessings to you and family.

[@lashy7433]

Learning has no age limit!✨

[@toanhien494]

your daughter should be proud of you, sir.

[@steverogers8163]

Props to older folks that go back to school for whatever reason. When I was in College I ran into two different over 50 guys who were finally going to College after being unable to when they were younger.

[@nigangte6984]

What a joy listening to this documentary.

[@kennitodevangavani891]

2nd year university undergraduate planning to escape school.... This man is giving me a motivation I don't want 😂 😂 😂 😂

[@MsXenyy1]

Take breaks if you can. Uni degree will give you better chance to addapt economically on unstable times such as in corona etc.

[@dewivangreuningen5494]

Yeah for me aswell, study hard man, I'm on my way to finishing uni a year from now

[@nivelesontologicos]

You can do it, Gerhard! 👏🏼

[@economiaamablefuturosdesea150]

Ausgezeichnet Gerhard. Gut gemacht. Courageous, willing to improve and even sharing such his experience and endeavour. Congrats!

[@msthing]

Being an expat most of my life, I experienced this a lot. Especially Arabic. We really take language skills for granted. Great kudos to this gentleman for being open about it.

[@jinxcassidy2474]

It's such an unconditional father ,the world needs such a humble father like him keep struggle for it the world is yours salute you sir

[@NicoleLam]

here i am thinking at 25 its too late and im too unprepared to do my masters in counselling.. :( thank you for this innspiring video!

[@Pete-tc4rd]

He’s not alone. He’s so BRAVE.

[@ant5611]

I admire Gerhard Prange so much

[@katibzasworld9788]

So inspired and touched especially when he said he want to write the letter to his daughter ❤️❤️❤️

[@lonardvaldez6507]

I always watch on this channel..especially when its about art

[@jameskeru4151]

Just nice to see him open up and decide to learn. Wish him and his daughter well!

[@crafael.]

"I want become a bus driver. " - the most honest and humble ambition.

[@trishahopkins6574]

This is so lovely. All the best Gerhardt - learning to read and write is the best thing you will ever do no matter what your age is. Bravo 👏👏👏

[@shamohere]

All respect to you sir!!

[@7omali]

Inspiring and courageous man.

[@andersonporras]

Good for him ... I really enjoy this video

[@dovesandcoldplay]

Keep it up Gerhard! You're doing your daughter and yourself proud mate. All the best from Australia 🇦🇺

[@hayesalazar]

I love his spirit. Older is not reason to stop learning. So able to read and write are privileged. Be wise and always enhancing your knowledge 🙏

[@xelakram]

I wish this man the very best of luck with his endeavours. I salute him for his determination and for his honesty, too. This man deserves to succeed. Who was it that said 'education is wasted on the young'? You are never too old to learn. This man proves it.

[@MO-fg2cm]

There's a similar story of a man from Nepal Who went to school at his late 50's

[@lynnkesh254]

There is a man in Kenya who went to class one (for 3 or 4 yr olds) he made world news got to travel Newyork e.t.c his motivation was to read a Bible. .. Hollywood made a movie of him after he died though it was made in South Africa economically cheaper there ..

[@jordanpeters3746]

At the age of 15 I was top of my Grammar School class in all subjects ... then, one day during the maths class, I had a fit (or a stroke?) ... and completely lost the ability to read for several hours ... I found myself staring at letters of the alphabet and numbers that my brain could not make any sense of. My reading ability did not fully return for several weeks. I also had difficulty understanding speech. I ran away from home and spent weeks wandering around the Scottish highlands ... coming down at night to lochside hotels and raiding their dustbins. I slept in barns, a cave, and a derelict crofthouse. On returning home I got a job in a laboratory and rapidly progressed to doing research work ... then, whilst studying at an evening class, it happened again ... this time it was much less than before and I fully recovered within a few days. Since then I've been OK. When I was 52 I was told by a psychologist that I have Aspergers ... with a 150+ IQ. Apparently people with Aspergers/Autism are at risk of epilepsy as our brains are neurologically different from the brains of neurotypical people ... sometimes the fits/strokes can prove fatal. I'm now 78 and, for the average ageist neurotypical authoritarian (who are mostly middle-aged), infuriatingly alert and quick-minded.

[@lonardvaldez6507]

This is the best channel

[@MrDjugashvili]

It's never late to learn something.

[@yahooo949]

It's sad to hear how he did not have access to education when he was younger, or had a chance to even consider it. i am glad that you have a choice to now. it was a very heart warming story. keep it going

[@davidagal8694]

Learning has no age limit if you commit yourself to you will learn and achieve your goals, it's only those who feel shy when their age is above 30 or 40 that'll not learn anything because they're shy to go back to school and start from the lower classes because they will see themselves older in the class they attend

[@jaibanks7151]

Good for you sir!

[@AlaKareem]

I admire his courageous.. he is a hero

[@arepecies5447]

All the best man👌

[@darylsuarez7206]

Learning doesn´t stop there!

[@hustleandgrow6482]

Good sir keep it up

[@jinalawi3934]

how inspiring

[@nyakarimaking20]

You can do it. I can read and write but can't speak Swedish even though I live here. 🙈

[@shyamasingh9020]

Super inspiring story of one man who open his beautiful heart about true pure emotional bond between father and daughter relationship sphere that warms the world soul through love and sharing instilling faith making one feel resonant about nothing is impossible and every problem is solvable provided others put their pain in front of it and pleasure at the back of mind body. Great work DW thanks a lot. You guys are new rockstars of new age of high Art.

[@jadedmind7634]

6 million people in Germany who can't read and write????? This is mind blowing.... 🤯 I can't imagine how many people in the world can't read or write... This is so disheartening.

[@karlcarlsen9664]

read and write properly. There is a difference between someone who can´t read and write at all or not properly (funktionaler Analphabet)

[@carpenoctem1182]

I watched a report about this and it said that many are children of immigrants living in communities of their nationality (Italian, Russian etc). So the children mostly speak their mother language at home and are exposed to German at school. This becomes a problem when they have homework but sometimes the parents cannot help because they don't understand (this happened to my ex when growing up).

[@tiac3589]

Could it be also because of the war world II that once happened in Europe? It could affect some people from his generation, maybe.🤷

[@carpenoctem1182]

@@tiac3589 do you know Germany? Let me explain myself again. . I'm not minimizing his problems, and I'm also assuming that when he wS young (my dad is older than him, born in 43 ) people finished school by 14 and did vocational training. Only the elite would go tk high-school or do nights hook lwhile working a day job. . What I was trying to explain that right now as we speak, Germany has had influx of economic immigrants. Again, like I said most of their parents don't speak German at home, cannot help their children with any homework. The communities are close knit hence they. Mostly associate with others of their homeland. A couple of years ago their made a study (on the German news several times + documentaries). Atleast 1/3 of schoolchildren cannot read of write German. Also the war ended in '45 and he's in his 60s, so im assuming the class system and corporal punishment affected him more than a war that had already ended

[@tiac3589]

@@carpenoctem1182 well, after war Germany still has problems. Both west and communist block decided to split their country. Many germans cannot meet their family members which once living in the other part of their country. We cannot say everything is just normal and okay when the war is over because there are also post war effects and political instability. He mentioned it in the video, 'not so many teachers left after war', there is 40 students in one class and that he has foster parent from Sweden so he can also speak Swedish. It could be that he is an orphan too, who knows?🤷 German has immigrants because they have aging society. Their goverment need young working class people as the tax payers to help them paying senior citizen pension. It just happened lately and it might also contribute to illiteracy number. I know a bit about german history because I finnished my master degree there, I come from Southeast Asia so I do not know much about WW II until I live and study there. A lot of things happened in my country also connected with the war that once happened in Europe.

[@CAV627]

I taught adult literacy . Awe inspiring The dedication and courage to all those who are are working hard to learn ❤️❤️

[@adamaburabeah9547]

I got to know this channel yesterday, and ever since i have watched over 8 documentaries, thank you guys for doing all this hard work . Are you guys located in berlin ?

[@adamaburabeah9547]

Also, this man is such an inspiration

[@question-every-thing]

I've heard of people in their 80s and 90s going back to school so good on him

[@carochan86]

I wonder if he has a learning disorder like dyslexia or a form of dyslexia.

[@ted1045]

That's what I was wondering.

[@SinestesiaSonora]

same

[@dr.apollo4226]

Likely not, he just didn’t get much exposure to writing with only 9 years of education.

[@JohnDoe-mj8rf]

Probably something's wrong with the part of the brain responsible for reading and writing.

[@sacuki2151]

My Ukrainian grandmother born in 1937 finished only 7 classes. She lived in a village and walked barefoot to her school. However, she could write perfectly well and her calligraphy looked better than mine. So I don't think that 9 years of school is the root of his problem.

[@f.m.m6706]

Gerhard🥺🥺 his determination and courage is so heartwarming. I hate that he feels shame from being illiterate/hiding it all these years. Sad. Glad he’s trying to overcome the difficulties of learning such a foundational skill at his age. Never would’ve thought this would be something in Germany.. just read up some history- people from his generation in Eastern Germany

[@DWDocumentary]

Hi @fayarayyy, Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts. Gerhard is very inspiring. :-) Best, The DW Documentary Team

[@f.m.m6706]

DW Documentary love this channel! Best wishes all the way from London :))

[@peter.biedermann1756]

Alles Gute Herr Prange von Australia, das is sehr toll.

[@MsHantubelau]

The teacher got a very very big heart

[@athulva1122]

Where I come from, there is a similar program conducted by the government for helping older people to read and write. Anyway all the best for this guy 😊may he succeed in his task.

[@christophermontilla4748]

The man is admirable. Illiteracy is a problem that many from the older generation have settled in with. But what makes him and other less advantaged people is that they have that hunger and passion to learn despite their age. Salute to the man. As well as to all people like him who have that dream and still strive to reach that dream

[@arlenehutchinson9259]

HERO 🙌🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@Erik_The_Viking]

Inspiring. I wouldn't have expected illiteracy as an issue in Germany (of all places), as this is something I would expect here in the US. Glad to see that he's taking charge and learning - you're never too old to learn.

[@woodhouse6755]

you have this in every country. I don't undestand how people go through the school system without beeing able to read or write but it somehow happens.

[@fghk5gcv930]

Learning is a lifelong process .

[@DWDocumentary]

Hi @Fghk 5gcv, That's true! Thanks for watching and commenting. :-) Best, The DW Documentary Team

[@kingjsolomon]

My grandmother learned to read in school with my parents, the kindergarten teacher helped her learn reading and writing.

[@sandeepnegi9478]

This is called never give up spirit

[@jadelast2563]

Good for him best of luck

[@silvialogan9226]

Adults should not be discriminated because they cannot read nor write. People at all ages have the right to learn how to read and write. Nobody should be discriminated because of their age.

[@Kengaime2012]

He is so inspiring for younger generations who have everything they need but so lazy to learn😕

[@roseisister3623]

It's informative

[@carltaylor7589]

Good for him 👍

[@Yuvraj_Singh_Banger_007]

Have a enjoiful saturday to everyone everyone

[@franciscovarela7127]

More power to Gerard.

[@kevohwapipelinetransami4351]

Watching from Kenya 🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪💪💪💪

[@ketandeswal4336]

That’s wonderful that he is learning how to read and write. I believe that education has no age, it does not matter what age you start your education. We can learn anytime, as we are always learning, evolving, and overcoming difficult situation all the time.

[@DWDocumentary]

Hi @ketan Deswal, Thanks a lot for watching and taking the time to share your thoughts. The term age is just a number springs to mind. :-) Best, The DW Documentary Team

[@tassosk966]

What this guy does is not easy. Hope the best for him.

[@dondacurator]

im sold

[@kerryfry1857]

I feel bad I couldn't read the sign either :(

[@incyphe]

Is he from East Germany? Still scratching my head over how you can go through 10 years of schooling

[@raempftl]

Why do you think that? Nobody (at least here in Germany) ever suggested that the East German school system was worse than the West German one. On the contrary, it was always widely acknowledged that East Germans were well educated.

[@omayrasanchez2877]

@incyphe - The minimum time of school in the west that you have to go through is 9 years. Most kids go for the higher school degrees (we have 4) and attend school for longer, but 9 or 10 years school doesn't tell you anything about it if someone is from the east or west. Btw, he doesn't have the typical eastern dialect and it's unlikely he could have traveled to Sweden as a kid if he would have grown up in the former GDR.

[@mindimoom9142]

It happens everywhere, sadly some people just slip through the cracks.

[@Pamutsetse]

I’m 35 today, just completed my Nursing degree two weeks ago and now i’m already enrolled to start Electrical Engineering in Feb. Yup i hate my life.

[@hollywoodundead72]

i wish i could be a simple man like this, instead its like im always thinking and thinking

[@dondacurator]

Im ashamed about my home address and I also have tricks not to get visits. My dream is to relocate my family to a better location. Since you've shared your inspiring story, i thought Id share you mine and I hope nobody who knows me sees this :-)

[@samatarali5334]

Veryyy painfull to watch I wish him luck

[@spaceskipster4412]

Blessings and best wishes to him. 👍🏼

[@AK-kr3uy]

KUDOS!

[@MrNeumerker]

I tip my hat for these people, especialy for Gerhard.

[@ethelmshimba5734]

If I was the daughter and I received the letter from my dad I'd read it everyday just because of His sheer effort to learn to read.

[@ShweMyaukMyauk]

It’s ok, I had to learn German too and it’s not easy too

[@adroitspartan7907]

Wow that was a really revealing and interesting short doku. Reminded me of the movie The Reader starring Kate Winslet. Also, a man who can speak two languages is worth two. - someone needs to tell him that. Are these cases mostly from the former East Germany ?? - Sechs mal sechs ist sechsunddreißig, ist der Mann auch noch so fleißig.

[@chenyeh9053]

Yes! When I saw this story, I thought about "The reader" right away:-):-):-) their lives would be so much better if they could find help earlier, but I know it's easier said than done:-(

[@adroitspartan7907]

@@chenyeh9053 - yeah, great minds think alike ;-) but fools seldom differ too. ;-p True, easier said than done.

[@adroitspartan7907]

@Pustekuchen ​ - you got some verifiable stats ? i said east germany because of what he said - "Sechs mal sechs ist sechsunddreißig ..." googling suggests usage in the east as does the old style font on the street signs.

[@deepsensible519]

U r a wonderful person... Their is no age limit for learning and schooling.. It's all about will power and the way we thinks.. Lots of appreciation to u.. Keep uploading and motivate us.. God bless u

[@ln14517]

2:02 a place that helps people learn to read made their logo even harder to read.....

[@ranimatundan8483]

Me too..i kept on studying even a its too late for my age..am on my 2nd year in my BS PSYCHOLOGY course..am 58 years old now and 2 more years to go..i am on my senior years and hopefully will finish my degree..

[@RavagHer]

Also get this man a gps

[@anna_m59]

i finished my master with age of 58

[@nicolarollinson4381]

I'm 63 this year and don't consider myself to be old...I'm not. Anywho, as soon as I have the funds I'm going to try to get a degree. Experience counts for very little in most jobs these days. And on the application for a working' or business' visa in many countries, one of the requirements is a degree, these days.

[@alexjenkins4934]

Good for him. He’s gonna buy a dingy and call her “Dignity”.....

[@korth26]

maximmum RESPECT

[@nikkopesaras7860]

There's a saying "any knowledge is good knowledge" never be ashamed to learn, u might need it one day :)