Teacher training students can register for the "semester-accompanying block internship A" in the OPAL course from April 7 for the 2025/26 school year. The alternative teaching internship at selected schools in East Saxony (ALSO) was launched at TU Dresden in summer 2024 as a project to test a better theoretical-practical link in the teaching degree program with 13 future teachers at two schools. In the 2024/25 school year, 44 students went to a school in Neusalza-Spremberg, Görlitz, Zittau or Löbau every Friday after the fall break and accompanied a school class in a team of four for a whole day of learning. On the website for the semester-accompanying block internship A you will find all the details about enrolment and the course of the project so far.

During the semester-accompanying internship, the participating students can grow into the role of teacher and learning guide and are supported in their professionalization through events at TU Dresden. In addition to an accompanying seminar, this is the collegial case consultation of the Educational Science Teaching and Research Workshop (ELF). Here, prospective teachers can develop their professional skills in a peer setting, reflect on their own pedagogical approaches and improve teaching methods.

Teachers in training do not teach subject-specific lessons, but support students with additional learning opportunities in smaller learning groups. The content includes, for example, reading promotion, project work or independent work in so-called learning offices.

In the alternative teaching internship at selected secondary schools in eastern Saxony, students benefit from their experience with the semester-long internship at Dresden University School. Prof. Anke Langner is continuously developing this format together with the school community and students to improve the link between theory and practice early on in the course.

Internship A always on Fridays - That's why I'm here!

© Pixabay / Analogicus

"I do 3 hours of work experience one day a week and the other 3 hours are paid work." | Philip, participant in the pilot project (May-June 2024) at the Richard-von-Schlieben secondary school in Zittau

© PantherMedia / Andriy Popov

"I can cope with my seminar work easily and continuously, because I'm always at school on Fridays throughout the school year instead of doing a block internship of 4-6 weeks in September or March." | Olivia, participant in the pilot project (May-June 2024) at the Richard-von-Schlieben secondary school in Zittau

© PantherMedia / Fabrice Michaudeau

"I don't write a long internship report, but a 2-page internship reflection together with a dialogically accompanied reflection throughout the placement period." | Anna, participant in the pilot project (May-June 2024) at the Bruno-Bürgel-Oberschule in Weißwasser

© Stadt Görlitz / Martin Langhorst

"I get free accommodation near the school. This means I can prepare together with my class team the evening before and I don't have to be on the train at 4 a.m." | Marla, participant in the pilot project (May-June 2024) at the Richard-von-Schlieben secondary school in Zittau

© PantherMedia / Yuri Arcurs

"In well-equipped schools, I work together with enthusiastic teachers and pupils. It's great fun." | Laura, participant in the pilot project (May-June 2024) at the Richard-von-Schlieben secondary school in Zittau

© Kreiselternrat Görlitz

The project to improve the link between theory and practice is supported by the Görlitz District Parents' Council and numerous stakeholders in eastern Saxony. Read more

About the University School Dresden

Dresden University School is a joint project of the state capital of Dresden and the TUD Dresden University of Technology. It is a public and free community school run by the city, where innovative forms of teaching and learning are tested under academic supervision. In addition, it is a training school for future teachers and, in the future, a further education school for teachers. The school trial is being scientifically supported by the ForUS research center at TU Dresden.

Information on the research project at TU Dresden: https: //tu-dresden.de/gsw/unischule
Information on the Dresden University School: http://universitaetsschule.org

You can find insights into the research project and everyday school life on various social media channels under @unischuleTUD: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. News from the University School Dresden project can be found regularly in the GSW newsletter.