application process

 

The following time table will give you a rough overview over the application process after the submission of your application. Note that changes will occur, because Erasmus+ funding will end in May 2023.

 

 

What do GETs do?

 

German Educational Trainees (GET) are prospective teachers of English and German native speakers who support German teachers in Scottish classrooms. This activity comprises work in small learning groups, individual language training as well as independent teaching. Furthermore, GETs are partly based in primary schools as autonomous German instructors. Apart from that, they get the opportunity to organise interdisciplinary or extracurricular events and projects. Thus, GETs obtain an insight into many aspects of the Scottish school system and contribute to the creation and updating of teaching materials for German lessons.

 

What are the working hours of a GET?

 

German Educational Trainees have a full-time internship at a Scottish state school for a period of six months. During this time, they teach between 12 and 16 hours per week. As is usual in the UK, lesson preparation and follow-up takes place in school as well. The total weekly workload should not exceed 36 hours.

 

Where do GETs work?

 

GETs are placed in primary and secondary schools in the state school system. As a rule, they operate in more than one school, i.e. mostly at a secondary school and its feeder primary schools. Arrangements vary. 

 

When does the internship take place?

 

Internships typically take place between mid-September and the Easter holidays of the following year - depending on the school district and the specific school. This means that they run concurrently with the German winter semester, so university studies can be resumed at the beginning of the summer semester.

 

How are GETs prepared for their internship, and supported during their stay abroad?

 

While still in Germany, GETs participate in preparatory intercultural training. This provides them with an introduction to the Scottish educational system and offers them opportunities to contact former GETs. Later, during their time in Scotland, they are supported by the Goethe Institute in Glasgow, the SCILT (Scottish National Centre for Languages) the Scottish school authorities and the German Consulate General in Edinburgh.

 

Will the internship be accredited as an “Orientierendes or Vertiefendes Schulpraktikum” in Rheinland-Pfalz?

 

The internship cannot be accredited as an “Orientierendes or Vertiefendes Schulpraktikum”, as the completion of “Orientierende Schulpraktika” constitutes a precondition for application. Besides, “Vertiefende Schulpraktika” may only be performed in Rheinland-Pfalz. However, the internship will be accredited as a stay in an English-speaking country, as prescribed by examination regulations. Before the beginning of the internship, its succeeding accreditation will be settled by contract within the ERASMUS+ scholarship programme. In addition, you may request the registration of the internship in a Diploma Supplement.

 

How many places are available? Is there a waiting list?

 

The number of available places varies every year. Due to high demand for places, a waiting list will be created. While this means that there is the possibility of students moving up on short notice, being on the waiting list is not a guarantee of a place.

 

Does “GET across borders” also help to find accommodation in Scotland?

 

Students are individually responsible for finding accommodation. They can, however, get advice and support from their respective school authority or their mentor. Former GETs are also happy to share their experiences and recommend contacts from their time in Scotland.

 

Any further questions?

 

For further questions, please consult Dominik Wallerius via MS Teams during his office hours on Fridays, 14-15. Please use email (get-across-borders@uni-mainz.de) only in very urgent cases.