Diversity in German Education 2012

A Professional Development Seminar for U.S. Teachers to Germany, June 30 – July 14, 2012

The application period for this program has ended.

Overview

The seminar is administered by the German-American Fulbright Commission in Berlin.

The seminar will offer the participants important professional development to enrich their own teaching and reinforce their motivation to engage in transatlantic dialogue and exchange. The visit in Germany offers new perspectives in education and cultural understanding through a comparison of both educational systems and societies. The participants’ school communities will be able to strengthen their own global awareness and become a prominent member of the world-wide Fulbright network.

The Seminar in Detail

The seminar begins with the departure from the USA on June 30 and ends with the departure from Germany on July 14. The seminar will take place in Tübingen in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, just south of Stuttgart. The University of Tübingen will be our host for the 14 program days.

The participants will receive an overview of the German school and post-secondary education system which will allow them to apply this new knowledge to their own work. The seminar also discusses the changing educational structures in Germany and Europe and the resulting responses and opportunities for German schools, teachers and students. One emphasis will be placed on demographic changes and diversity in society and in the classroom. The seminar intends to contrast and compare these issues with structures and developments in the U.S.

These and other topics and issues of interest for the work of American teachers in all relevant fields will be complemented by visits to German schools of all types in and around Tübingen. The participants will get to know German schools “in practice”, become familiar with their day-to-day routines and learn about the schools’ impact on the community. The American participants are invited to represent their own schools and districts and to share their own teaching experiences with German colleagues, students, and program partners.

Professional Development Aspects

The seminar will cover specific topics which are currently being discussed in Germany and Europe, such as standards and evaluation, media and technology, school-to-work/college transition, teacher training, classroom and school management, immigration and integration issues. It also describes the impact of the European “Bologna” process, and the latest OECD results of the PISA studies. Lastly, the importance of German-American relations with regard to education (secondary and post-secondary), economy and politics will be addressed.

Target Group

The seminar is open to teachers of all subjects, including the sciences, arts, music and humanities, and from all types and levels of public and private schools. The program will be conducted in English.
We particularly invite applicants who have experience with ethnically diverse student groups, or who represent such groups themselves.

Funding

The Fulbright Commission in Berlin offers a grant including international travel expenses (up to 1.300 USD) and costs of the program in Germany (including accommodation and meals) and organizes the seminar as described.

Program Perspective

This special program for American teachers is offered for the second time and builds on its predecessor programs.
If you are interested, please check your school calendar carefully to avoid a conflict with other obligations.

German Program Partners

The Fulbright Commission closely cooperates with the Pedagogic Exchange Service (Pädagogischer Austauschdienst) and the University of Tübingen.

Conditions for Application

• American citizenship and a valid American passport; people with dual (German-American) citizenship are not eligible to apply

• Full-time position as a teacher and a minimum of three years of work experience

Further Planning

• Selection of participants and notification is expected by early February.
• Program start: departure on June 30, 2012 for Germany
• Program end: departure on July 14, 2012 for the U.S.
• Participants may be able to extend their stay in Germany at their own expense.

Please note: The application period for this program has ended.

Further Planning

• Selection of participants and notification is expected by early February.
• Program start: departure on June 30, 2012 for Germany
• Program end: departure on July 14, 2012 for the U.S.
• Participants may be able to extend their stay in Germany at their own expense.

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