You are enthusiastic about educational work with children and young people and would like to pass on your knowledge? Or have you successfully completed your teaching studies abroad and would like to gain a foothold in German schools? Then we should get to know each other.
Because we have made it our business to find teachers, who have a qualified background, but are (not yet) considered as fully trained teachers in Germany. This may be either because you have not completed a teaching degree in Germany or because your foreign teaching degree is not recognised in Germany.
In short: We will accompany and support you on your way into the German teaching profession and advise you on how to use your national and foreign degrees for this purpose.
We know that the lateral entry as a teacher in Germany is not always easy – for both German experts and international teachers. That is why we are here to help you with all your questions to make your dream come true, so you can inspire your pupils with your enthusiasm.
As a strong and competent partner we offer you:
Access to state schools and educational institutions under private ownership
Advice and support throughout the application process and beyond
A perfect match based on your qualifications and experience
Exciting opportunities and possibilities in teaching
In addition, as a foreign candidate you will benefit from:
Comprehensive and personal consulting
A basic check of your German language skills and of your professional background
A contact person at Hays throughout the process
Transparency and personal coaching throughout the application process (preparation for job interviews)
Your knowledge relates to one of these or other subjects? Then we will find something for you:
A career change into teaching – this is how it works with Hays
Are you looking for a safe job as a teacher at German schools? In addition, you have professional experience, a university degree, fluent German language skills and you would like to work as a teacher in the German education sector? Then, depending on where you come from, there are different ways to become a teacher in Germany.
Lateral entrants from Germany
You have successfully completed a Bachelor's and even a Master's degree, but have no educational background or teaching experience? You can still use the knowledge you have gained during your studies to teach as an expert in your specialty in public and private schools.
For example, you have studied biology and can thus prove in-depth knowledge in this subject area? Then you already have the best prerequisites to work as a teacher for biology at general education schools in Germany in the future. You will get the necessary pedagogical basics prior or during your teaching job.
International teachers as lateral entrants
Have you already successfully completed your teaching studies abroad and even worked as a teacher? If you would like to become a teacher in your subject area in Germany, it is often not so easy to take root. Unfortunately, according to the current legal basis, your degree does not correspond to the German one – but you can enter the German teaching profession through a so-called lateral entry.
All you need is:
✔ Proof of German language level B2 (during the first year of your teaching job you must provide proof of C1)
✔ Your study record (university diploma and transcript of records translated into German)
You meet all requirements – what are the next steps?
You cannot simply apply to schools, even though you are an expert in your subject or an international teacher. You need access to the special school lists of the respective federal state. Only then you can see which school needs teachers for which subjects. And only then you can apply for open positions at the schools. You will receive access to the lists after a successful examination by our specialists.
Teachers in Germany usually start their service at the beginning of the school year or at half-term. However, if there is an urgent need at a school, it is also possible to join at any time during the current school year.
Teachers in Germany usually start their service at the beginning of the school year or at half-term. However, if there is an urgent need at a school, it is also possible to join at any time during the current school year.
We have had great success with our model project at state schools in Saxony-Anhalt. In the following months, we will continue to expand our network to other federal states and are in constant exchange with the responsible ministries of the states.
In addition, we cooperate with private schools and educational institutions throughout Germany.
We have had great success with our model project at state schools in Saxony-Anhalt. In the following months, we will continue to expand our network to other federal states and are in constant exchange with the responsible ministries of the states.
In addition, we cooperate with private schools and educational institutions throughout Germany.
Depending on your personal education and your school, we will support you before and during your teaching assignment. In Saxony-Anhalt, for example, you will need to complete a four-week advanced training course before you start as a teacher at a state school. This course includes didactics and pedagogy and prepares you for teaching and dealing with students.
Private schools sometimes deal differently with career changers and provide you with mentors during the first period of your teaching assignment, who will accompany you in everyday school life and during your lessons.
If you also want to learn another subject and take the second state examination, this is possible by means of an extra-occupational study course.
Depending on your personal education and your school, we will support you before and during your teaching assignment. In Saxony-Anhalt, for example, you will need to complete a four-week advanced training course before you start as a teacher at a state school. This course includes didactics and pedagogy and prepares you for teaching and dealing with students.
Private schools sometimes deal differently with career changers and provide you with mentors during the first period of your teaching assignment, who will accompany you in everyday school life and during your lessons.
If you also want to learn another subject and take the second state examination, this is possible by means of an extra-occupational study course.
No, the guidance provided by Hays is always free of charge for candidates. Only fees for the certificate examination or similar must be paid by the candidate.
No, the guidance provided by Hays is always free of charge for candidates. Only fees for the certificate examination or similar must be paid by the candidate.
No, state examinations are not necessary to enter the German teaching profession. We will guide you into the teaching profession via the so-called lateral entry. The prerequisite for this is an academic background (at least Bachelor's, Master's, Diplom, Magister or similar) in one or more subjects that can be transferred to school subjects.
No, state examinations are not necessary to enter the German teaching profession. We will guide you into the teaching profession via the so-called lateral entry. The prerequisite for this is an academic background (at least Bachelor's, Master's, Diplom, Magister or similar) in one or more subjects that can be transferred to school subjects.
Germany will have a shortage of over 68,000 teachers by 2030. This makes it even more important to deploy lateral entrants from Germany and abroad at schools in both public and private sponsorship.
These include:
Primary and special schools
Secondary schools I
Secondary schools II
Vocational schools
Join us in making German schools more diverse!
The challenges are huge – for national and international teachers alike. On the one hand, there are German teachers who have professional expertise and are at least somewhat familiar with German culture and the German school system.
And on the other hand, there are international teachers who have pedagogical training, are experts in their field, but who encounter a new culture and thus a different way of teaching in Germany. Both groups share the will to work with children and young people, to share their knowledge and to pass it on.
Join us in taking the first steps to use your skills to give a school new perspectives and creative methods.
