Masters to benefit German teachers

A new masters degree at Berlin's Free University is aiming to improve the job prospects of new teachers in Germany.

It tries to give teachers an international perspective and hands-on training in a multiracial classroom, making them more employable elsewhere in the European Union.

There are 14,814 unemployed teachers in Germany, many of whom have looked for work abroad and have found themselves hampered by the limited international recognition of the German teaching diploma, the Staatsexamen.

The new European masters in intercultural education, is part of the EU's Erasmus programme. "We hope to find partner universities in every European country," said Gerd Hoff, director of the programme. "We are currently talking to universities in Vienna, London and Amsterdam." So far, exchanges have been established with universities in Sweden and Greece.

Gerhard Harder, manager of the programme, said: "Our aim is to promote the European idea. Students should not confine themselves to their respective countries, but should apply more naturally for jobs within the EU. The European masters certificate will open up the possibilities."

During the one-year course, students are expected to earn 60 credit points under the European Credit Transfer System. The idea is to combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience and students spend time at one of the cooperating universities.

"Seven students have just come back from Uppsala in Sweden, where they were working on various projects such as urban planning and pre-school education," Professor Harder said. "Another group of three students will soon leave for our partner university in Thessaloniki, Greece."

Applicants come from different backgrounds. Graduates might attend classes alongside experienced teachers who want to gain more background knowledge or who are considering a career change.

A teaching degree from any European university, as well as excellent knowledge of English - as most courses are held in English - are formal requirements.

While talks are under way to speed up the international cooperation, the question of tuition fees is a problem. "For the time being, our students do not have to pay for the masters degree," Professor Harder said. "Unfortunately, this is likely to change."

However, applications for the course, due to start in October 2000, are still flooding in.