Experts are raising concerns about a common method of teaching reading in German primary schools, where children are often asked to read aloud to the entire class. Psychologist Kathrin Schmidt highlights on TikTok that this practice can create immense pressure for struggling readers, leading to anxiety and a fear of failure, as every mistake is audible to peers. She advocates for alternative approaches, such as reading to non-judgmental audiences like pets or stuffed animals, to foster a sense of competence and autonomy. School principals and literacy advocates echo these concerns, noting that loud reading does not accurately reflect true reading comprehension, which primarily involves silent reading and understanding content. They suggest that a significant portion of primary school students fail to meet minimum reading standards, and those who fall behind early struggle to catch up, impacting their performance in all subjects.