IGEL program for international teachers

Goals and target groups

The teaching profession in Germany is subject to training and recruitment requirements regulated by state law.

Professionals holding teaching degrees earned abroad often need to take part in post-qualification measures in order to be allowed to pursue the teaching profession in Germany. This usually includes postgraduate studies.

To that end, IGEL prepares students for a lateral entry into higher education and assists them during post-qualification by various support services.

With the IGEL program, UEW contributes to the successful integration of refugee and migrant teachers into German school systems and promotes adequate integration into the labor market.

Reciprocally, participants provide examples of how everyday and professional life in Germany can be positively shaped against the backdrop of being refugees or migrants. Through their involvement in school, they can also serve as role models for various groups of students and thus contribute to a successful integration.

By federal educational law, studying UEW qualifies for teaching in Baden-Württemberg only. Participants, aiming to work as a teacher in another federal state, have to participate in a federal state specific program accordingly.

The following chart provides an overview of programs currently available in Germany. All of which form a Germany-wide network for professional exchange, with IGEL being a part of it.

Program's Structure

It contains of three phases:

1. Preparation for lateral entry into studies at the UEW through a three-month preliminary program
2. Various support and guidance services during the postgraduate studies at the UEW
3. Support during career entry

A three-month preliminary program includes
(1) a three-week course 'Language of Education & Science’

(2) an eight-week pre-course in educational science

(3) as well as various workshops

Content and scope of this program are identical for all participants, taking place online and ending with a written exam. Passing the preliminary course exam is obligatory for subsequent lateral entry into studying at the UEW.

The IGEL program is a teaching-learning arrangement that allows for individual adaptation, depending on each participant’s individual situation. This adaptation is achieved by offering three different models: IGEL Classic, IGEL Light and IGEL All. Each model differs in terms of scope according to accredited degrees attained earlier.

After completing classes, all participants benefit from the extensive support and offered guidance.

Participants have then the opportunity to enter school services. Depending on individual needs for post-qualification, entry is possible via the regular preparatory service of the state of Baden-Württemberg, via an adaptation course/aptitude test, or as a direct entry.

Graduates apply for a position in school services in competition with all regular applicants.

The following graphic illustrates this whole progress described above.

Together with other projects dedicated to the integration of teachers trained abroad, the IGEL project forms part of a "Nationwide Network for Qualification Programs for International Teachers". Within this network, exchange takes place on a wide range of program-related topics (e.g. program design and accompanying research). Furthermore, political work as well as events for further education and training are planned and carried out withing said platform.

This includes a Summer School, such as the "Professionalization of School Competencies" at the University of Siegen, which took place from July 15 to 16, 2022. Among the participants, 4 students from the project IGEL were present. Participants from all institutions used the opportunity for professional development and exchange with other international teachers and through their participation made a valuable contribution towards a successfull event.