To teach a foreign language and study its literature and culture requires a excellent language proficiency. For this reason, you will need to have already passed the qualifying examination in Greek (Graecum) at the time of your application. If you are not able to provide proof of this through your university entrance qualification, you will have to take the state supplementary examination in Greek before you begin your studies.

You will also have to submit the qualifying examination in Latin (Latinum) by the beginning of the 5th academic semester at the latest. This can typically be proven in the form of your university entrance qualification. Alternatively, you can attend three Latin practice classes over the course of three semesters to prepare yourself for the state supplementary examination.

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. In addition, you should also be interested in the Greek language and enjoy working with historical sources concerning Greek history, philosophy or culture.

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

In the first two semesters of the Greek degree program, you will attend introductory courses on classical philology and learn to understand ancient Greek texts from their historical perspectives. By attending various seminars, you will improve your language proficiency, tackle Greek grammar, and translate Greek works independently.

Starting from the third semester, you will dedicate much of your time to interpreting the content of Greek writings. You will immerse yourself in various genres and different eras – from Archaic Greece to the Roman imperial period. You will learn how to contextualize authors and texts within literary and intellectual history.

Towards the end of your bachelor’s degree, you will dedicate yourself once again to your didactic competence and gain initial, independent experience in planning, carrying out, and reflecting on individual lessons.

Stays abroad

Would you like to live abroad for a semester or a year? Do you want to learn another language and get to know a new culture? Or gain a different perspective on your particular subject? 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 cooperation agreements and partnerships with foreign universities.

For more information on this topic, please visit our websites on studying abroad. Visit our student exchange platform for an overview of cooperating universities in your field.

This program of study does not require you to spend time abroad, but you nevertheless have the opportunity to do so.

The Greek degree program lends itself particularly well for a stay abroad between the third and fifth semesters.

Good to know:
The Greek department maintains good relationships with multiple universities abroad (e.g. Rome, Salerno, Thessaloniki, Palermo, Valladolid).

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.

This includes, for example, foreign language teaching in an adult education center or in other forms of non-formal education such as continuing education, or in one of the following fields:

• Research and academia (e.g., at universities and research institutions or in research projects)
• Education and culture (in association with museums, the theater, 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)
• Leisure, tourism, and event management