Teachers : Germany

For every type of school there are specially trained teachers. All must have completed a course of study at a higher education institution, but the content and duration of such courses vary. Courses of study for primary and secondary general school teachers usually last seven semesters. Longer courses of study lasting eight or nine semesters are required for intermediate school, grammar school, special school or vocational school teachers. Upon completion of their course of study, all prospective teachers must pass an initial state examination.

This is followed by a period of practical training (usually 24 months), which includes preparatory seminars and practice teaching in schools, and a second state examination. Teachers at public schools are generally professional civil servants in the service of the states. Teachers in the new states are presently salaried employees.