• Very good English language proficiency
• A profound interest in the literature and cultures of English-speaking countries, especially the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, and Canada
• The ability to work independently, perseverance, and a thirst for knowledge. If you do not possess a profound interest in developing your knowledge of different fields via intensive reading, as well as a passion for working with abstract concepts, this degree program may not be the best fit for you.
• A particular aptitude for the profession of teaching, which can be demonstrated through a high level of professional expertise, commitment, enthusiasm for the selected subject, social skills such as empathy, the ability to handle criticism, a willingness to take responsibility, and a passion for lifelong work with young people.

You fulfill the entrance requirements for the master’s degree program in teacher education for Gymnasium if you possess a teaching-related bachelor’s degree with a specialization in teacher education for Gymnasium in the same subjects at a university in Rhineland-Palatinate or an equivalent degree.

Important information for all students who have not completed a Bachelor of Education (for teacher education for Gymnasium) in Rhineland-Palatinate.

If you have not yet received your bachelor’s degree certificate by the application deadline, but have earned at least 135 credits in your bachelor’s program, you must apply by the set deadline with a transcript (certified copy issued by your university) of all coursework and exams completed to date, including your average grade to date.

In justified cases, other degrees may also be recognized for admission to the master’s program. Recognition may be subject to conditions relating to the specific structure of the master’s degree program. If no school internships have been completed, other documented achievements may be recognized as equivalent.

Applicants who have not obtained a university entrance qualification at a German-speaking institution or a degree in a German-speaking course must provide proof of sufficient German language skills. These must correspond to the level DSH-2 of the “German Language Proficiency Examination for Admission to Higher Education for Foreign Applicants” and must be proven by the time of enrollment at JGU.

Good to know: The legally binding basis for selection, admission and enrollment is the text of the entrance requirements as specified in Section 2 of the currently valid examination regulations and, where applicable, in the appendix.

You can find more information in the examination regulations (in German).

Course sequence

First semester

• English Literature and Culture (seminar)
• American Studies (seminar)
• English Linguistics (lecture)
• Teaching English as a Foreign Language (lecture)

Second semester

• English Literature and Culture (lecture)
• American Studies (lecture)
• English Linguistics (seminar)
• Cultural Studies (practice class)

Third semester

• Advanced English Linguistics (seminar)
• Advanced Literary Studies (seminar)
• Teaching English as a Foreign Language (seminar)

Fourth semester

• Literary Studies (colloquium)
• English Linguistics (colloquium)
• Teaching English as a Foreign Language (seminar)
• Master’s thesis

Stays abroad

Would you like to live abroad for half a year or a whole year? Do you want to get to know another language and culture? Would you like to get a different perspective on your particular degree program? A stay abroad provides you with the perfect opportunity to achieve this and is possible with every degree program – either self-organized or by taking advantage of one of the popular exchange programs. This is made possible by various partnerships with foreign universities.

For information on this topic, please visit our websites on studying abroad. An overview of cooperating universities that would suit your degree program can be found on our Student Exchange Platform.

As a part of the teacher education program, you will complete a stay abroad in an English-speaking country (i.e. with English as the official language). It is recommended to stay abroad after the 3rd semester of your bachelor’s degree. However, you may also choose to go abroad during your master’s degree. You may also complete your stay abroad in two parts (i.e. two 6-week periods).

The stay abroad may, for example, also take place in the form of a period of study at a university, an internship or an employment relationship. This must be confirmed with a corresponding certificate from the participating institution.

Internships

In the Master of Education program, you will complete a two-week internship at a Gymnasium during the semester break (March − April or August − October). The focus here is on teaching in the upper-level secondary school (Gymnasium). This practical experience will complement your theoretical training, help you practice your pedagogical skills in the classroom, and give you direction for your future career.

Further information on this can be found on the website of the Teacher Education Center (ZfL) and on the website of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate on school internships.

Students interested in completing additional voluntary internships – including those in other professional fields – can find more information on JGU’s Career Service website.

With this master’s degree program, you will be optimally prepared for your future work as an English teacher at a Gymnasium. You will acquire the essential skills that will be needed for your future career as a teacher, as laid out in the curricular standards of Rhineland-Palatinate. This applies to both subject-specific (i.e. linguistics, British and American literature and cultural studies) and subject-didactic content.

In order to work as a teacher at a Gymnasium, you must complete a teacher traineeship (Referendariat) after earning the Master of Education degree. The first, university-based phase of your teacher education ends with the recognition of your B.Ed. and M.Ed. degrees as the First State Examination. The second phase, the teacher traineeship, generally lasts 18 months in Rhineland-Palatinate and concludes with the Second State Examination.

After completing your teaching degree, you are certainly not limited to a teaching position or to subject-specific lessons. You can also work in a variety of professional fields beyond teaching in public schools.

Aside from the traditional application of the knowledge and skills you will have gained for a teaching profession, you will also be qualified for a career in fields such as journalism, continuing education, and public relations.

Not sure what to do after graduation? Don’t worry!

A university degree generally does not prepare you for a single profession but qualifies you for a wide range of career paths – for example, in research, in a typical profession related to your field of study, or in one of many other academic fields.

This is why career orientation is also part of your studies. Gaining practical experience is key, and you can do so through internships, working student positions, part-time jobs or voluntary work, for example.

JGU’s Career Service will support you throughout the entire process with information, advice, workshops and numerous events – from career orientation and working on your profile and skills to finding your dream job and successfully applying for it.