Teacher Education in German
Are you excited about education? Do you enjoy working with children and young adults? Train to become a German teacher at our great international campus. You will work towards a rewarding career teaching German as a foreign language in Dutch secondary education, or at vocational or language schools.
Teacher Education in German is a four-year programme in an international setting that has been taught in English and German since 2016. You will be guided by our experienced lecturers and get to enjoy Utrecht's vibrant student life. You will have frequent and intensive contact with Germany, and do internships at a school from the first year onwards. Teaming up with your fellow students, you will plan your own excursion to Berlin in your third year of study.
How to apply
Can’t wait to start? Find out which steps you need to take.
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Want an overview of this programme? In the factsheet you'll find all about the programme in one handy document.
Useful to know
| Start | September |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline | Students living in the Netherlands who don't require immigration/visa services from HU: 1 May. Missed this deadline? Apply as soon as possible. Non-EU students living outside the Netherlands who require immigration/visa services from HU: 31 May Students with an EU/EEA nationality who live outside the Netherlands; Students with a residence permit for study purposes currently enrolled at another educational institution: 1 August |
| Location | Padualaan 97 Utrecht |
| Practical Information | |
| Scholarships | |
| Croho-name | B Teacher Education in German |
| Croho-code | 35193 |
Learn how to inspire your students
You learn what it means to be a teacher and how to teach the German language and literature to young people, by knowledge and experience gained during internships from the first year onwards. Also, you’ll frequently visit Germany.
Career goals: a qualified German teacher
With your knowledge about teaching methodology, literature and culture of the German-speaking countries, linguistics and second language acquisition you will work towards a rewarding career teaching German as a foreign language in Dutch secondary education, or at vocational or language schools.
Admission requirements Teacher Education in German
Applying after secondary school?
If you want to start with the Teacher Education in German degree programme, you need to have a secondary school diploma at a sufficient level and English proficiency of at least CEFR level B1. Your level of German should also be B1 CEFR. Non-native speakers of German will have to hand in a copy of their Goethe-Zertifikat B1 or higher in order to be admitted. Of course, love for German and teaching is a must!
Applying without a diploma?
Are you 21 years or older and you don't have a (sufficient) diploma? Then you'll need to take an admission test.
Does this programme suit you?
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Sociable
You are a social person with excellent communication skills and enjoy working with children and young adults.
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Passionate about language and culture
You enjoy reading and writing and are interested in other cultures. You are keen to share your passion for foreign languages with others.
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Imagination
You thrive in an international, multilingual environment and are excited to meet and collaborate with students from all over the world.
"I was inspired by a lot of my old teachers, so that’s why I chose to become one myself and this programme is perfect for that."
Alina Grabein (20) Student Teacher Education German
"I was inspired by a lot of my old teachers, so that’s why I chose to become one myself and this programme is perfect for that."
Alina Grabein (20)Student Teacher Education German
I chose to study Teacher Education in German because I’ve always known that I wanted to be a teacher. I’ve always worked with children, and I was inspired by a lot of my old teachers, so that’s why I chose to become one myself and this programme is perfect for that.
I wanted to study in the Netherlands because when I first visited multiple cities here, I always wanted to come back. As years go by, I never found another place where I felt that comfortable, so I decided to move here for my studies and maybe stay here after finishing them.
I love the atmosphere with the teachers and my fellow students at the HU. I’ve made some close friends here extremely quickly. In class we’re mostly doing group work and working on projects like designing our very first lesson plans. If I’m being honest, group work was never a thing I enjoyed, but It’s a nice way to know your place in the group and to communicate with your peers. I think that is a great ability for your future job as a teacher as well.
I’m planning to do the double degree and that was quite confusing in the beginning. But you don’t have to be afraid to ask for help, there are always a lot of docents ready to help you! Together we chose a lot of courses to sign up for and I’d recommend the double degree programme to students who’d like to have a little more workload.
It is mandatory to have an internship in the Teacher Education programme. I started my first internship a few months ago and I truly like it so far. I am from Germany and the studies there are a little different compared to the programme here in the Netherlands. You do a lot more theory and here there is a big focus on the practical part. I really like it, because I was already standing in front of a class and thought my first lessons. Of course, you only need to observe the lessons at the internship in the first year. But if you feel ready and your mentor thinks you’re ready as well, you can try to help designing one lesson or even teach it.
Having an internship school also helps you a lot with the theories you’ll learn in class. You recognize a lot of the theories while you’re standing in class. as it gives you the chance to reflect on students’ behaviour but also your own. There is a great balance between learning theories and learning by doing in the Teacher Education programme and personally I think that’s the best way to become a teacher!
"The double degree in Teacher Education gives you better changes to find a job"
Alina Schiller Student
"The double degree in Teacher Education gives you better changes to find a job"
Alina SchillerStudent
What I like most about the Teacher Education programme at HU is that it is so practice-oriented. Each year you have an internship at a school in the Netherlands, and each year your responsibilities slowly increase so that you get the chance to develop yourself further. By doing the internships, you get the chance to slowly become more confident standing in front of a class. The more I did it, the more comfortable I became and the more I enjoyed it. You are always being observed by a teacher from the internship school, so that you receive feedback.
I chose to follow the double degree programme for English and German because I wanted to have the option to work in Germany, where two subjects are required. I would definitely recommend the double degree to other students as it gives you the option to work in different countries as well as giving you better chances to find a job.
Moreover, the teachers at HU always make time for their students if they have any questions or concerns. All lessons take place in the target language, and most teachers are also native speakers meaning that you are really immersed in the language.
