In order to teach a foreign language and work with Russian literature, it is a prerequisite that you have proper language proficiency and the drive to refine your language skills.

As an aspiring teacher, a love of teaching, a good instinct for working with pupils, and a sense of responsibility are all important requirements for handling the upcoming variety of pedagogical work in your future career. In addition, you should also be interested in the culture and history of Russian-speaking countries and enjoy working with Russian literature as well as other categories of media. Last but not least, your aim should be to convey language structures in a way that is understandable and to have your pupils practice these structures, thus promoting language acquisition and an understanding for Russian.

The entrance requirements for the master’s degree program in teacher education for Gymnasium include proof of 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.

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.

The examination regulations can be found here.

The master’s degree program is divided both into Russian language practice as well as literature, linguistics, and cultural studies.

Russian language practice

• Differentiation of oral and written expression
• Translation
• Conversation
• Subject didactics
• Preparation for monolingual teaching
• Regional studies; taught in Russian
• Essay practice/paraphrasing texts
• Practical and didactic language colloquium

Literature, linguistics, and cultural studies

• Independent work in literature, linguistics, and cultural studies; language history
• Linguistics/literature
• Research-oriented development of particular topics relating to linguistics and literature.
• Colloquia on linguistics/literature

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 Institute of Slavic Studies responded promptly to the Russian war against Ukraine and has developed alternatives to stays abroad at Russian universities. Your contacts at the institute can let you know what the current situation is.

Internships

In the master of education program, you will complete a 15-day internship at a Gymnasium during the lecture-free period (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 and on the pages 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 the Career Service website.

In your fourth semester, you will complete an in-depth didactical internship.

The teacher education degree program prepares you – and is a prerequisite – for a career as a teacher at a Gymnasium throughout Germany. Not only will you acquire a comprehensive knowledge of the school subject, but you will also learn how to communicate this knowledge to your future students in a fun and creative way and get them excited about the subject.

After completing your teaching degree, you are certainly not limited to a teaching position or to subject-specific lessons. You can also work in various other professional fields outside of the school system. This includes, for example, foreign language teaching in an adult education center or other alternative education institutions or in continuing education, or in one of the following professional fields:

• Research and academia (e.g., at universities, research institutions and in research projects)
• Education and culture (in association with museums, 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, economics (marketing, press and public relations)
• Leisure, tourism, and event management

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.