Foreign Language Assistants Programme of the Paedagogischer Austauschdienst (PAD)

Every school year, up to 800 students from abroad work as foreign language assistants (FLA) at schools in Germany. They support the teachers at their host school in teaching foreign languages in their home language and receive a monthly stipend currently totalling 1,000 euros.

Aims of the programme

• During the internship abroad, students expand and deepen their foreign language skills, immerse themselves in the culture of the host country, improve their cultural awareness and gain an insight into the local teaching methods.
• The programme offers prospective foreign language teachers the opportunity to deepen their training in a practical way – in the country of the language they wish to teach in the future.
• The foreign language assistants help improve the linguistic and cultural knowledge of the pupils in the host country and enrich the lessons with their native language.

Who can apply?

Applications are open to students up to the age of 35 who have been studying for at least two years at the time of taking up the position (preferably with German as a subject). German language skills should be at least level A2 (CEFR). Applicants must also have attended a high school and currently be attending a university in New Zealand.

 Programme duration

The programme starts in August/September and ends on 31 May of the following year.

Funding

FLAs receive a monthly stipend of 1,000 euros. They are covered by health, accident and liability insurance for the duration of the programme. They are also eligible to apply for housing allowance in Germany.

Foreign language assistants from New Zealand receive a one-off travel allowance when they take up their post, provided that these funds are made available by the Federal Foreign Office for this programme year.

Application, contact and further information

The application form as well as information on the application process and the documents to be submitted can be found on the website of the Paedagogischer Austauschdienst (PAD). Here you will also find further information on the FLA programme. The application deadline for the 2024/25 exchange year is 30 April 2024.

If you have any questions about the programme, please contact the Pädagogischer Austauschdienst directly:

Nadia Lange

E-Mail: nadia.lange@kmk.org