Note: This blog post is part of a school assignment, in which I had to address specific topics.
Like in America, teaching preparation in Germany starts with 4 years of university courses. After graduating from college with an Education degree in America, however, one is able to obtain a teaching job. This is not the case in Germany. Teachers undergo extensive training before they start their teaching career. After 4 years of university classes, teachers must complete 1.5 years of experience in the classroom with a mentor. This time is comparable to the time we spend student teaching in America. Teachers spend 4 days of the week teaching in schools and the other day of the week is spent taking university seminars. The process is not over after these five and a half years though! After completing the practical experience portion, students must write a thesis and complete an oral exam before they are certified to teach.
Most teachers in Germany are at least 28 before they get their own classroom. Most of our German university buddies for our study abroad program are thus older than those of us who are 22 year old seniors in college. However, the age difference does not seem too drastic, for we are at the same stage of life.
Like in America, teaching preparation in Germany starts with 4 years of university courses. After graduating from college with an Education degree in America, however, one is able to obtain a teaching job. This is not the case in Germany. Teachers undergo extensive training before they start their teaching career. After 4 years of university classes, teachers must complete 1.5 years of experience in the classroom with a mentor. This time is comparable to the time we spend student teaching in America. Teachers spend 4 days of the week teaching in schools and the other day of the week is spent taking university seminars. The process is not over after these five and a half years though! After completing the practical experience portion, students must write a thesis and complete an oral exam before they are certified to teach.
Most teachers in Germany are at least 28 before they get their own classroom. Most of our German university buddies for our study abroad program are thus older than those of us who are 22 year old seniors in college. However, the age difference does not seem too drastic, for we are at the same stage of life.
Some other interesting differences came up when I talked to my cooperating teacher and university students about teacher preparation and professional development:
1. There are two state exams that teachers must pass in order to become licensed to teach. The first state exam must be taken after completing the 4 years at university, and the second state exam is taken after the 1.5 years of teacher training.
2. Students get paid during their 1.5 years spent in the classroom - not as much as full-time teachers, but its something!
3. The university does not arrange the 1.5 years of experience in the classroom. Many people have to wait a long time before they can complete their training. The wait list is especially long in Hamburg.
4. Upon certification, teachers are certified to teach any grade, as they spend time with all ages during their 1.5 years of experience-based training.
5. Teachers study two main subjects, and study is primarily content-based. (My teacher actually studied three subjects, but it is required to study two in Hamburg.)
6. I had to specify "in Hamburg" in my last comment because training varies depending on the region of the country that you study! For example, the fourth-grade immersion teacher at my school studied in Southern Germany and received an education that emphasized bilingualism.
7. Despite these differences, studying Education in Germany will allow you to teach anywhere in Germany. If you do not study in Germany, it can be difficult to get a full-time teaching job in the country because teachers are considered to be "civil servants," and are paid by the government.
8. In Hamburg it is required to do 30 hours of professional development each year. This requirement is the same for part-time and full-time teachers. There is one day devoted to workshops in the schools each year.
1. There are two state exams that teachers must pass in order to become licensed to teach. The first state exam must be taken after completing the 4 years at university, and the second state exam is taken after the 1.5 years of teacher training.
2. Students get paid during their 1.5 years spent in the classroom - not as much as full-time teachers, but its something!
3. The university does not arrange the 1.5 years of experience in the classroom. Many people have to wait a long time before they can complete their training. The wait list is especially long in Hamburg.
4. Upon certification, teachers are certified to teach any grade, as they spend time with all ages during their 1.5 years of experience-based training.
5. Teachers study two main subjects, and study is primarily content-based. (My teacher actually studied three subjects, but it is required to study two in Hamburg.)
6. I had to specify "in Hamburg" in my last comment because training varies depending on the region of the country that you study! For example, the fourth-grade immersion teacher at my school studied in Southern Germany and received an education that emphasized bilingualism.
7. Despite these differences, studying Education in Germany will allow you to teach anywhere in Germany. If you do not study in Germany, it can be difficult to get a full-time teaching job in the country because teachers are considered to be "civil servants," and are paid by the government.
8. In Hamburg it is required to do 30 hours of professional development each year. This requirement is the same for part-time and full-time teachers. There is one day devoted to workshops in the schools each year.