The Assistant Teachership programme consists of compulsory supervised teaching practice in English for advanced students of PH Zurich who are enrolled in lower secondary education (Master of Arts in Secondary Education) degree programmes. The supervised teaching practice in a foreign language lasts four weeks and takes place at a partner school in an English-speaking country.

All programme participants have chosen English as one of their subjects in their profile and their English competence is at a C2 level.

They have already completed five semesters of their studies and have at least seven weeks of practical experience at secondary schools in German-speaking Switzerland. They are able to teach children one-on-one, in groups and as a whole class.

What you can expect as a partner school

As an English-speaking partner school of PH Zurich, you will provide PHZH students with valuable intercultural experience and give them the opportunity to improve their English skills and general teaching ability at an English-speaking school. Your teachers will accompany the student and advise, coach and plan lessons together with them.

It was a great experience for which I am more than grateful. I was able to broaden my horizons and develop personally. Furthermore, I was able to meet many great people and be a part of this school. Blerona Luzha, Student PHZH

However, it is not only the students who benefit from the collaboration, but also you. Partner schools get to:

• Compare experiences working as teachers with the students, and exchange ideas about teaching methods
• Talk about approaches to dealing with differentiation and heterogeneity in the classroom
• Learn from the students about Swiss culture and the school system in Switzerland
• Promote cultural and intercultural awareness and broaden their horizons as a result

Student learning objectives

The students aim to achieve the following within the scope of their supervised teaching practice in a foreign language:

• Immerse themselves in an authentic foreign language environment (school – home – cultural activities)
• Gain insight into a different school system
• Acquire language skills for teaching and subject-specific terminology
• Gain experience in immersive teaching
• Gain intercultural experience
• Make new professional and private contacts in the target language area 

Students complete the Assistant Teachership programme with the aim of improving their English skills and general teaching ability, but above all, to gain intercultural experience and become familiar with immersive teaching. Please note that while our students could be called on to teach German language lessons occasionally, this ist not the intention of the teaching assistantship.

Since 2015, our school has hosted student-teachers from PH Zurich, and each exchange has been a wonderful opportunity for our Swiss guests as well as for our students, faculty, and host families. Michael Roemer, Director of Global Education, Trinity Valley School, USA

Assistant Teachership in lower secondary education

The Assistant Teachership programme for prospective lower secondary school teachers lasts four weeks and usually takes place in January/February (calendar weeks 3 to 6).

At the beginning of the stay, the students are informed about the organisation of the partner school by the headteacher or one of the assigned mentors and observe their first lessons. Afterwards, as agreed upon with the teacher, they independently take over parts of lessons or full lessons, and/or engage in team teaching (and supervise individual groups, for example). The students should be able to teach one to three lessons per day in one to four subjects in accordance with their profile. The students also like to be involved in as many school activities as possible and take part in events, excursions and internal professional development at the school. Participation in about four to five hours in total of each day is expected. 

Tasks and requirements

As a partner school, you must be able to do the following:

• Provide supervised teaching practice to students for four weeks.
• Introduce students to the school (show them around the school, help them get to know the staff and processes).
• Involve the students in the school system (such as assemblies, excursions, internal school conferences, professional development, parent-teacher meetings and so on).
• Provide opportunities for the students to actively engage with the learners in the classroom.  
• Conduct a feedback session at the end of the Assistant Teachership programme.

Teachers who supervise PHZH students must:

• Enable the students to actively participate in the classroom (prepare lessons or parts of lessons and teach classes or groups).
• Provide verbal feedback to students on their English language skills and teaching ability as their mentor (written feedback is not required).
• Hold expert discussions with the students on topics such as lesson design, dealing with diversity, interculturality and school systems.

Accommodation and meals

Accommodation and meals are the responsibility of the students. However, PH Zurich is happy for partner schools to help students find accommodation or a place in a host family.

Remuneration

Partner schools get paid for the four-week Assistant Teachership programme; for more information please contact us via e-mail.

Registration

If you are interested in becoming a partner school in the Assistant Teachership programme, please send us an e-mail.

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