He’s not alone. In Australia my friend is doing school at 62. Never too old.
@kelvinobalu11704 жыл бұрын
I agree No shame at all in going back to school and learning something new at any age in like
@ksanurse4 жыл бұрын
Karlos Khaos Perth
@ksanurse4 жыл бұрын
theGoliath don’t be! Remember learning when you are older is GREAT for your brain. You are protected from getting dementia. 😉
@janer48124 жыл бұрын
"my dream is to write my daughter a letter" How I wish my very well educated father can also think like that.. 😔
@GottaWannaDance4 жыл бұрын
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.
@janer48124 жыл бұрын
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..
@JackyMan224 жыл бұрын
Nowadays, everyone can read and write... in the internet. Books are for Boomers! Toss em in the trash! XD
@GottaWannaDance4 жыл бұрын
@@JackyMan22 You, obviously, don't or can't or maybe aren't on the web enough.
@JackyMan224 жыл бұрын
@@GottaWannaDance Ok coomer.
@agneswilder7334 жыл бұрын
My full respect to this man. People should always be hungry to learn, until we die. Well done Gerhard.
@kelvinobalu11704 жыл бұрын
Its beautiful and sweet that he wants to write a letter for his daughter
@fioreblumee4 жыл бұрын
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.
@CeeZee0014 жыл бұрын
I'm guessing because people are embarrassed to share. Either way this man is inspirational.
@tdgdbs14 жыл бұрын
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.
@oceanstaiga59284 жыл бұрын
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!
@RegulareoldNorseBoy4 жыл бұрын
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
@mohdhamdan81384 жыл бұрын
Ee
@Nicolas-mo4qr4 жыл бұрын
When he said that his dream is to write her daughter a letter I almost burst to tears 😢 really admiring!
@simone2224 жыл бұрын
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-half504 жыл бұрын
Very inspiring. I am already a professional but dreaming also to study law later once I find time.
@CeeZee0014 жыл бұрын
@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
@davecullins16064 жыл бұрын
Did the 70 year-old guy finish?
@simone2224 жыл бұрын
@@davecullins1606 Unfortunately, no. He was only able to finish up to 2nd yr due to health issues.
@simone2224 жыл бұрын
@@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.
@ariefraiser1404 жыл бұрын
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.
@tulmajok35624 жыл бұрын
This is the motivation for the students who are dropping out of the college.
@tedsandico4 жыл бұрын
I respect this man for being so open about his situation with illiteracy and for trying to do something about it too 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
@Earth0984 жыл бұрын
'I'm only 63...' I love his positive attitude!!
@Chepawala4 жыл бұрын
Love you DW for these gems! No one except you can put out such a story in front of us
@dougtheviking65034 жыл бұрын
Gerhard, Keep going forward. You are smarter than you give yourself credit for. Manny blessings to you and family.
@davecullins16064 жыл бұрын
Finally an old man who is willing to admit his flaws, and even fix them instead of hiding them.
@lashy74334 жыл бұрын
Learning has no age limit!✨
@msthing4 жыл бұрын
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.
@dovesandcoldplay10 ай бұрын
Keep it up Gerhard! You're doing your daughter and yourself proud mate. All the best from Australia 🇦🇺
@kennitodevangavani8914 жыл бұрын
2nd year university undergraduate planning to escape school.... This man is giving me a motivation I don't want 😂 😂 😂 😂
@MsXenyy14 жыл бұрын
Take breaks if you can. Uni degree will give you better chance to addapt economically on unstable times such as in corona etc.
@dewivangreuningen54944 жыл бұрын
Yeah for me aswell, study hard man, I'm on my way to finishing uni a year from now
@jadedmind76344 жыл бұрын
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.
@karlcarlsen96644 жыл бұрын
read and write properly. There is a difference between someone who can´t read and write at all or not properly (funktionaler Analphabet)
@carpenoctem11824 жыл бұрын
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).
@tiac35894 жыл бұрын
Could it be also because of the war world II that once happened in Europe? It could affect some people from his generation, maybe.🤷
@carpenoctem11824 жыл бұрын
@@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
@tiac35894 жыл бұрын
@@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.
@NicoleLam4 жыл бұрын
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!
@nigangte69844 жыл бұрын
What a joy listening to this documentary.
@steverogers81634 жыл бұрын
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.
@economiaamablefuturosdesea1504 жыл бұрын
Ausgezeichnet Gerhard. Gut gemacht. Courageous, willing to improve and even sharing such his experience and endeavour. Congrats!
@toanhien4944 жыл бұрын
your daughter should be proud of you, sir.
@Pete-tc4rd4 жыл бұрын
He’s not alone. He’s so BRAVE.
@jinxcassidy24744 жыл бұрын
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
@a_sasmitaa4 жыл бұрын
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 🙏
@nivelesontologicos4 жыл бұрын
You can do it, Gerhard! 👏🏼
@yahooo9493 жыл бұрын
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
@ant56114 жыл бұрын
I admire Gerhard Prange so much
@jordanpeters37464 жыл бұрын
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.
@lonardvaldez65074 жыл бұрын
I always watch on this channel..especially when its about art
@silvialogan92264 жыл бұрын
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.
@trishahopkins65744 жыл бұрын
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 👏👏👏
@crafael.4 жыл бұрын
"I want become a bus driver. " - the most honest and humble ambition.
@xelakram4 жыл бұрын
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.
@katibzasworld97884 жыл бұрын
So inspired and touched especially when he said he want to write the letter to his daughter ❤️❤️❤️
@carochan864 жыл бұрын
I wonder if he has a learning disorder like dyslexia or a form of dyslexia.
@ted10454 жыл бұрын
That's what I was wondering.
@SinestesiaSonora4 жыл бұрын
same
@dr.apollo42264 жыл бұрын
Likely not, he just didn’t get much exposure to writing with only 9 years of education.
@JohnDoe-mj8rf4 жыл бұрын
Probably something's wrong with the part of the brain responsible for reading and writing.
@sacuki21514 жыл бұрын
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.m67064 жыл бұрын
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
@DWDocumentary4 жыл бұрын
Hi @fayarayyy, Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts. Gerhard is very inspiring. :-) Best, The DW Documentary Team
@f.m.m67064 жыл бұрын
DW Documentary love this channel! Best wishes all the way from London :))
@Erik_The_Viking4 жыл бұрын
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.
@woodhouse67554 жыл бұрын
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.
@jameskeru41514 жыл бұрын
Just nice to see him open up and decide to learn. Wish him and his daughter well!
@CAV6274 жыл бұрын
I taught adult literacy . Awe inspiring The dedication and courage to all those who are are working hard to learn ❤️❤️
@davidagal86944 жыл бұрын
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
@shamohere4 жыл бұрын
All respect to you sir!!
@nyakarimaking204 жыл бұрын
You can do it. I can read and write but can't speak Swedish even though I live here. 🙈
@MO-fg2cm4 жыл бұрын
There's a similar story of a man from Nepal Who went to school at his late 50's
@lynnkesh2544 жыл бұрын
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 ..
@MsHantubelau4 жыл бұрын
The teacher got a very very big heart
@peter.biedermann17564 жыл бұрын
Alles Gute Herr Prange von Australia, das is sehr toll.
@darylsuarez72064 жыл бұрын
Learning doesn´t stop there!
@MrDjugashvili4 жыл бұрын
It's never late to learn something.
@AlaKareem4 жыл бұрын
I admire his courageous.. he is a hero
@christophermontilla47484 жыл бұрын
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
@andersonporras4 жыл бұрын
Good for him ... I really enjoy this video
@Pamutsetse3 жыл бұрын
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.
@adamaburabeah95474 жыл бұрын
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 ?
@adamaburabeah95474 жыл бұрын
Also, this man is such an inspiration
@7omali4 жыл бұрын
Inspiring and courageous man.
@jinalawi39344 жыл бұрын
how inspiring
@athulva11224 жыл бұрын
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.
@fghk5gcv9304 жыл бұрын
Learning is a lifelong process .
@DWDocumentary4 жыл бұрын
Hi @Fghk 5gcv, That's true! Thanks for watching and commenting. :-) Best, The DW Documentary Team
@shyamasingh90204 жыл бұрын
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.
@arlenehutchinson92594 жыл бұрын
HERO 🙌🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
@hustleandgrow64824 жыл бұрын
Good sir keep it up
@tassosk9664 жыл бұрын
What this guy does is not easy. Hope the best for him.
@ketandeswal43364 жыл бұрын
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.
@DWDocumentary4 жыл бұрын
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
@question-every-thing4 жыл бұрын
I've heard of people in their 80s and 90s going back to school so good on him
@kingjsolomon4 жыл бұрын
My grandmother learned to read in school with my parents, the kindergarten teacher helped her learn reading and writing.
@arepecies54474 жыл бұрын
All the best man👌
@ethelmshimba57344 жыл бұрын
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.
@lonardvaldez65074 жыл бұрын
This is the best channel
@Kengaime20124 жыл бұрын
He is so inspiring for younger generations who have everything they need but so lazy to learn😕
@jaibanks71514 жыл бұрын
Good for you sir!
@jadelast25634 жыл бұрын
Good for him best of luck
@MrNeumerker4 жыл бұрын
I tip my hat for these people, especialy for Gerhard.
@AlaKareem4 жыл бұрын
I have a real story about illiteracy.. I know a woman that dropped school at early age, and reach her 20 with no capability of reading nor writing, she decided to go to school special ones for ignorants. Then joined public high schools. Next bachelor degree the masters in law and finally her PhD at the age of 30. Now she's 35 and a professor at university. .. 💯
@franciscovarela71274 жыл бұрын
More power to Gerard.
@spaceskipster44124 жыл бұрын
Blessings and best wishes to him. 👍🏼
@dondacurator4 жыл бұрын
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 :-)
@Whohah-s2p3 жыл бұрын
Veryyy painfull to watch I wish him luck
@ShweMyaukMyauk4 жыл бұрын
It’s ok, I had to learn German too and it’s not easy too
@incyphe4 жыл бұрын
Is he from East Germany? Still scratching my head over how you can go through 10 years of schooling
@raempftl4 жыл бұрын
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.
@omayrasanchez28774 жыл бұрын
@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.
@mindimoom91424 жыл бұрын
It happens everywhere, sadly some people just slip through the cracks.
@kevohwapipelinetransami43514 жыл бұрын
Watching from Kenya 🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪💪💪💪
@roseisister36234 жыл бұрын
It's informative
@ranimatundan84834 жыл бұрын
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..
@sandeepnegi94784 жыл бұрын
This is called never give up spirit
@MrTomtomtest4 жыл бұрын
Must be so handicaping :/ Keep it up ! Harder than for kids sure, but it is all about motivation & work.
@angelsandocean28533 жыл бұрын
Dyslexia
@aze944 жыл бұрын
I am angry, not at him but at the system that failed him.
@anna_m594 жыл бұрын
i finished my master with age of 58
@Yuvraj_Singh_Banger_0074 жыл бұрын
Have a enjoiful saturday to everyone everyone
@nikkopesaras78603 жыл бұрын
There's a saying "any knowledge is good knowledge" never be ashamed to learn, u might need it one day :)
@nicolarollinson43814 жыл бұрын
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.
@adroitspartan79074 жыл бұрын
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.
@chenyeh90534 жыл бұрын
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:-(
@adroitspartan79074 жыл бұрын
@@chenyeh9053 - yeah, great minds think alike ;-) but fools seldom differ too. ;-p True, easier said than done.
@adroitspartan79074 жыл бұрын
@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.
@deepsensible5194 жыл бұрын
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
@hollywoodundead724 жыл бұрын
i wish i could be a simple man like this, instead its like im always thinking and thinking
@carltaylor75894 жыл бұрын
Good for him 👍
@subscriberswithoutanyvid-nv4fn4 жыл бұрын
Hey *DW* 😑 Turning off the comments is very easy to do, but very shameful.
@DWDocumentary4 жыл бұрын
Hi @1000 subscribers without any video, We sometimes disable the comments sections of videos when we receive large volumes of comments that are offensive, derogatory or violate our netiquette policy. Best, The DW Documentary Team
@kerryfry18574 жыл бұрын
I feel bad I couldn't read the sign either :(
@BC_26fhj4 жыл бұрын
We are told we have to wait longer to retire then suffer age discrimination when we do
@ricajudesumayo39214 жыл бұрын
My dream is to write my daughter a letter. Anyone with a good heart : 🥰😭