lerenden

Lerenden is a German term that functions as the dative plural of „Lernender“ (learners) and is commonly used in educational discourse to refer collectively to individuals engaged in a learning process. The word appears in curricula, pedagogical research, and policy documents when discussing the rights, responsibilities, and needs of students at various levels of formal and informal education. In contemporary German-language scholarship, “Lerenden” often serves as a neutral alternative to gender‑specific nouns such as „Schüler“ (male students) or „Studenten“ (male university students), thereby promoting inclusive language that acknowledges diverse gender identities.

The concept of the Lerenden is central to learner‑centred approaches, which prioritize the agency of participants, their prior knowledge, and their personal learning goals. Policies that address “Lerenden” typically emphasize equal access to resources, differentiated instruction, and the development of metacognitive skills. In the context of digital education, the term is used to discuss how technology can support autonomous learning, collaborative work, and the tracking of progress for large groups of learners.

Although the word is grammatically plural, it can be employed generically to denote any group of people who are actively acquiring knowledge or skills, ranging from early childhood education settings to adult vocational training programmes.