The question of how research on structures and outcomes in Religious Education can be carried out successfully is of current interest in many countries. Next to the more traditional historical, analytical and, more recently, international comparative approaches, empirical research in religious education has been able to establish itself as a major approach to this field. Moreover, the contemporary discussion about comparative evaluation in schools has raised a number of questions which also refer to Religious Education. What competences can pupils acquire in this Subject? Does Religious Education really support the acquisition and development of the competences aspired? Are there differences in this respect between different forms of Religious Education or between different approaches to teaching?

Welche Sprachen zu einer Zeit gelernt und unterrichtet werden, hängt eng mit politischen und gesellschaftlichen Entwicklungen zusammen. Die Beiträge des Sammelbandes zeigen an zahlreichen Beispielen, die zeitlich von der frühen Neuzeit bis ins 20. Jahrhundert und geographisch von Georgien über Osteuropa und den deutschsprachigen Raum bis in die USA reichen, wie Sprachenwahl und auch die Gestaltung von Unterricht, Lehrmaterialien und Lernsituationen im politischen Kontext verankert waren.