The subject German in the teacher training program for secondary schools (Oberschule, Gymnasium, vocational schools)

The degree program German (Teaching Qualification)

• can be studied at grammar schools (10 semesters), vocational schools (10 semesters), secondary schools (9 semesters) and elementary school (8 semesters).
• is completed with the First State Examination.
• can be combined with any other subject offered in the respective type of school.

For the German degree program for secondary school teachers, you should be able to prove that you have a Latinum, which you either already have from your school education or will catch up on during your studies. Alternatively, it is possible to present the completion of an advanced course in a foreign language (level C1) and a basic course in another foreign language (level B2)

How is the course structured?

A teacher training course always consists of the study of two subjects (including their subject didactics) and the study of educational sciences. The German teaching degree program consists of three subject areas:

Literary Studies

Here you will study medieval and early modern literature as well as more recent and contemporary German literature. You will discuss literary texts of various genres and media forms with your lecturers and fellow students, learn about the theories and methods of literary studies and try out theory-based methods of text analysis and interpretation. You will also always reflect on literature in its historical, cultural, media, social and political context.

Linguistics

In linguistics, you will deepen and expand your academic knowledge of the contemporary language system and gain a sound knowledge of phonology, graphemics, morphology, syntax, lexicology and semantics. The history of language also plays an important role and you will learn how the varieties and styles of the German language have developed. In applied linguistics, you will deal with interesting questions and problems of language practice and discuss the communicative functions of language. In German as a foreign and second language, you will broaden your understanding of the German language by examining how it is acquired and communicated in the context of today's multilingual society, which is characterized by migration and multiculturalism.

Subject didactics

Subject didactics focuses on the goals and areas of competence of German lessons. Here you will learn about concepts of linguistic, literary and media-based learning in German lessons and reflect on their practical implementation in the classroom. In the area of didactics, the students divide up exceptionally: Those studying to become primary school teachers attend the primary school didactics seminars at the Faculty of Education, while secondary school students remain at the Faculty of Linguistics, Literature and Cultural Studies. Your studies generally begin with introductory seminars in which you will learn the most important basics of linguistics and literature. Later on, you will attend so-called in-depth seminars in which you will take a closer look at specific topics in the subject areas and apply and test the methods and procedures from the introductory seminars. The subject didactics area is added to the subject course from the third semester and is also divided into introductory and in-depth seminars.

Alongside your German studies, you will also study your second subject and educational sciences, which are divided into educational sciences and psychology. You will also complete three internships during your studies, during which you will gain teaching experience at schools in Saxony, each with a different focus. These internships take place partly during the semester and partly during the lecture-free period. The semester break is therefore often filled with writing seminar papers and completing internships.

What are the goals of the degree program?

At the end of your studies, you will have a broad knowledge of German linguistics, literature and cultural studies, which, together with the knowledge gained from the didactic part of the course, will enable you to reflect on and plan lessons in a scientifically sound manner. This will prepare you well for your traineeship.

What should you bring with you?

You don't yet know whether German is the right subject for you? Here are a few things you should bring with you for your studies:

• A certain enthusiasm for literature is absolutely essential. During your studies, you will deal with numerous texts of all kinds and should therefore enjoy reading and engaging with literary texts.
• An interest in linguistic forms and functions is also an advantage for you. Linguistics is a large part of the degree program.
• You enjoy discussing language and literature with others.
• You feel confident in writing, especially in spelling, punctuation and grammar.

With the German Studies self-assessment, you can check once again whether studying German is something for you.

Why at TU Dresden?

At TU Dresden, your teacher training course is supplemented by seminars in speech training, which prepare you for the speech-intensive profession of a teacher and offer you communicative tools for dealing with disruptions in lessons and challenging conversations.

To prepare you for writing academic seminar papers, you will take part in an introductory course on academic writing in German studies. With a guide and additional offers for self-study, you can always reassure yourself if you are unsure about your academic work.

At TU Dresden, you also have the opportunity to expand your teacher training in German with a course on theater, in which you will deal with theater studies, theater practice and theater pedagogy topics.

And last but not least, the city of Dresden offers you a wide-ranging cultural landscape and diverse literary scene, so that you can always supplement your academic studies with the aesthetic pleasure of a theater performance or a literary reading.

Where can I find more information?

On the website of the ZLSB (Center for Teacher Training, School and Educational Research) you will find everything you need to know about the general teacher training course.

In the student information system, you can find out about application deadlines, admission requirements and much more.

You can find everything about studying German on the German Studies pages.

And if you have any specific questions, you can also contact the student advisor.