Oftentimes, the allure of teaching abroad is countered by anxieties about the life of an expatriate educator. Relocation can be extremely stressful for any teacher, but it can be especially challenging if your move takes you away from a familiar country and a familiar school system, and brings you to a place that is foreign in nearly every sense of the word. Indeed, the thought of teaching in another country often conjures up images of struggling schools, poor educational technologies and low standards of living.
But have no fear! There are destinations around the world where these generalizations simply don’t apply. One of the best places to go teach abroad is Germany. One of the most culturally diverse nations in European Union and a symbol of modern economic success, Germany offers many attractive reasons to teach there.
To help you figure out whether Germany is the right place for your teaching-abroad aspirations, here’s a list of need-to-know facts about German education and life there in general:
The Basics
The current German educational system was developed in the early 1990s following the unification of the Free Republic of Germany. In an attempt to foster a sense of solidarity between the newly unified countries, the German government sought to offer equal educational opportunities in every state. Thus, the federal government spends much time and money promoting educational programs aimed at leveling the proverbial playing field throughout the country. All German states have public school options provided to their citizens. Primary schools tend to focus instruction on reading, writing and arithmetic, but all schools also offer instruction in German language, art, music, athletics, science, history and drama. Many schools also offer courses in foreign languages.
Day-to-day German Life
Choosing to teach abroad in Germany is an excellent choice because the quality of life there is very high. Germany is currently enjoying a period of economic prosperity and is widely regarded as a very safe place to raise a family. Living accommodations, though highly priced, are generally very comfortable and easy to find.
Everyday life in Germany is not better or worse than in the United States — it is simply different. One of the main differences expats have noted is that cost of living is generally higher in Germany than in America. To plan, stock up on things like clothes and electronics while you are still home or wait until you return to purchase big ticket items.
Another difference between German culture and American culture is the cuisine. German food is unique and narrowly varied. Non-domestic delicacies are priced very high, so you will probably choose to acclimate to the local cuisine.
Germany is also quite multi-culturally diverse. Your day-to-day will most likely bring you into contact with people who are unlike you in exciting and interesting ways; this is one of the most alluring aspects of German culture that continually brings people from around the world to live and work there.
Every country has its own unique culture that has its merits and its shortcomings. When you make your move, it may take you some time to accustom yourself to the language or etiquette, but in time you will see that Germany is an amazing place to live and work.
Find a Teaching Job in Germany
So you’ve decided to pursue a teaching position in Germany, but don’t know how or where to get started. English-speaking teachers may be able to get a job at a traditional German school, but one of the better options is to pursue a position at an international school, where instruction is in English. There are many online communities and forums for expatriates to find advice about making the move and getting settled in a new country. These forums can help you connect with teachers in Germany in order to help you in your job search.
If you are interested in teaching English in Asia, check out our posts on how to teach in China and teaching in South Korea.
