I've been doing some research this afternoon and it seems that yes, peoplel can be taught quickly how to tutor others.

NOW, I would require some help in the following please:

•  who to address this idea to - Länder or Bundesminister?  and if so, for which Ministry?

•  is there a place I can find some idea of the existing subsidies for this type of idea?

Thanks for your help.  If I get this together, I hope to put together some sort of rough plan in the next week.  

Maybe Eurotrib can become some sort of activists' hatchery as well as a blog.  Wouldn't that be something?

I had a company which had a number of English as a 2nd language personnel. We brought in an English tutor once or twice a week (I don't remember.) It was highly beneficial for them and for us English speakers. Everyone was more comfortable exchanging ideas, etc.

Whether this could translate into a language lab with screen and cameras internet-linked into a native speaker who isn't trained in language tutoring...sounds like a stretch. But if there is a way to get someone trained up quickly into a program...perhaps you are onto something.

Never underestimate their intelligence, always underestimate their knowledge.

Frank Delaney ~ Ireland