The degree program is partially taught in French. Therefore, you will need good active French language proficiency (B1 level according to the CEFR). Although prior language proficiency is not necessary for enrollment, you will need to provide proof of your abilities before the beginning of the lecture period through a language entrance test. Alternatively, you can provide this evidence through comparable language certificates (e.g. DELF B1, an “AbiBac” certificate, or a general university entrance qualification in French).

If you did not take the language entrance test at the beginning of your studies, you can still enroll in Module 1 without prior proof of language proficiency. Successfully passing the final exam for Module 1 also fulfills the language entrance test requirement.

More on language skills and the language test

Good English skills will also be helpful for your studies, especially when reading international specialist literature. You do not need to provide proof of proficiency in English.

As a future teacher, a love of teaching, a good instinct for working with pupils, and a sense of responsibility are important requirements for handling the upcoming variety of pedagogical work in your working life. If you have an interest in the culture and history of France and francophone countries, enjoy exploring and teaching intercultural communication, and have a good sense for language and language structures, you are well equipped for the French degree program.

This program is studied as a part of the Bachelor of Education degree program (teacher education for Gymnasium). The degree program always includes two teaching subjects as well as the subject of Education Studies.

Program structure

The French degree program primarily consists of the five pillars of linguistics, literature, and cultural studies as well as subject didactics and language practice classes (translation, grammar, oral and written communication). The practical language courses will help you further develop your foreign language skills.  In the French program, you will also learn how to impart your knowledge to your future pupils in a fun and creative way, and get them enthusiastic about the subject.

Overview:

As part of your studies, you can select your own area of focus from among the following:

Literature

• Early modern era
• Classical modern era
• Non-European francophonie

Linguistics

• Onomastics (the study of names)
• Research on language acquisition
• Gender linguistics
• Political linguistics
• Media language
• Language standardization

Cultural studies

• Transatlantic francophonie
• Political discourses
• Text traditions
• Cultural theories

You also have the opportunity to attend interdisciplinary courses or courses outside of your subject area.

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.

Internships

In the Bachelor of Education, you will complete three 3-week internships and experience different types of schools firsthand. 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.

For more information, please visit the website for school internships provided by the state of Rhineland-Palatinate.

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

The teacher education degree program prepares you – and is also a prerequisite – for teaching in secondary schools (Gymnasium) throughout Germany. Not only will you acquire comprehensive knowledge about the subject, you will also learn how to convey this knowledge to your future students in a fun and creative way, while inspiring interest for your subject.

To work as a teacher later on, you must also obtain the Master of Education after completing your bachelor’s degree and then complete a teacher traineeship (Referendariat).

However, you are not restricted solely to classroom teaching after completing the teacher education program. You can also work in a variety of professional fields beyond teaching in public schools.

Another related professional field is foreign language teaching in an adult education center or another extracurricular education institution.

However, after earning your degree in teacher education, you are not limited to teaching. You can also work in areas in which a good command of French and a sound knowledge of francophone countries and cultures are an asset, or in areas which require competencies in the humanities and cultural sciences. These can include:

• Research and academia (e.g., at universities, research institutions or in research projects)
• Education and culture (in association with museums, theaters, adult education, libraries, archives, and foundations of various types)
• International organizations, NGOs, economic organizations
• Information and communications management
• Media and journalism, editorial work, publishing, copy editing, marketing
• Politics, administration, business (marketing, press 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.