Berlin: Germany is actively addressing its pressing teacher shortage by training immigrant teachers through specialized programs like Lehrkr¤fte PLUS. One such participant, Inge Pizarro Krause from Chile, with eight years of study and two years of classroom experience in Vi±a del Mar, is now equipped to tackle the challenges within the German education system. Since August, Pizarro Krause has been studying German, didactics, and pedagogy, while gaining teaching experience at a vocational school.
According to Deutsche Welle, Pizarro Krause and 23 other participants from Bosnia, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine are receiving fast-track training and practical experience over a twelve-month period to prepare for teaching roles in German schools. The Lehrkr¤fte PLUS program is available at four universities across North Rhine-Westphalia, aiming to mitigate the widespread teacher shortage in the country.
Germany currently faces a shortage of tens of thousands of teachers, with the numbers escalating. Meanwhile, many immigrants with extensive teaching experience are left to navigate bureaucratic hurdles, often settling for temporary jobs. Pizarro Krause highlights the need for a system to expedite the integration of qualified immigrant teachers into the workforce.
The Lehrkr¤fte PLUS program, initiated in Cologne in 2018 by Semra Krieg and Ariane Elshof, emphasizes the potential of immigrant teachers. Elshof recalls the early days of the program, which attracted qualified teachers primarily from Turkey and Syria, and now sees a surge in applicants from Ukraine, Brazil, and Tanzania. A recent study by the University of Potsdam reveals that participants feel more confident, proficient in German, and motivated to work long-term in Germany.
Despite its success, funding for Lehrkr¤fte PLUS is only secured until the end of 2027. The program has received positive feedback as a springboard for teachers, although it presents challenges, particularly regarding language proficiency and the rigorous full-time schedule.
Natalia Zemlianskaia, a Ukrainian teacher who completed the program, exemplifies its success. After teaching English in Odesa for over 20 years, she now teaches in Bonn and assists young immigrants with German. Zemlianskaia emphasizes the importance of understanding the school environment and having supportive mentors and colleagues.
The call for expanding programs like Lehrkr¤fte PLUS is clear. Zemlianskaia urges German policymakers to facilitate the recognition of foreign qualifications and integrate skilled immigrant teachers more swiftly into the education system.