Chapter 2 - Teacher Education in Germany: Educational Structures, Historical Developments and Academic Challenges

Abstract

This chapter begins with an overview of historical developments in Germany's teacher education. It explains the changing characteristics of the teaching profession with a focus on teacher education for the German Gymnasium, a school type leading directly to A-Levels. The requirements and structures of teacher education in Germany today are introduced, including current models and patterns, teachers' standards and teacher certification, induction and professional development structures. The second part focuses on emerging challenges faced by educational governance, educational research, and educational practice today. These include teacher shortage and recruitment, inclusion and educational equality, changing school structures, professionalization of teachers, and digitalization in education. The chapter closes by summarizing the challenges and future directions of teacher education, showing how teacher education can react to and integrate local and global challenges at schools and universities.