Berlin’s Young Teachers Express Frustration with Teacher Training and Preparation
A recent study by the Research Institute for Educational and Social Economy (FiBS) has revealed a widespread sense of dissatisfaction among young teachers in Berlin, with only 15% of 132 respondents feeling well-prepared for their classroom duties. The findings, reported by the Spiegel, are a cause for concern, according to FiBS Director Dieter Dohmen, who described the situation as a “disaster”.
The areas where the respondents felt most uncertain included classroom management, lesson planning and parent-teacher conferences. The study suggests that the discontent is widespread, with half of the respondents having already considered leaving the profession. The teacher shortage makes this a particularly pressing issue, Dohmen emphasized.
The FiBS director called for a radical overhaul of the teaching program, advocating for a dual model that combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience during the students’ studies. “Future teachers should be able to link their theoretical knowledge to practical experiences during their studies” he said.