The Department of English and American Studies at Paderborn University has expanded its cooperation with Kennesaw State University (KSU) in Georgia, USA. The focus is on student and teaching staff exchanges as well as research visits for doctoral candidates. In particular, the practical semester for prospective English teachers is to be further internationalised. The respective centres for teacher training, i.e. the PLAZ - Professional School of Education and the Bagwell College of Education, as well as the Department of English Language Teaching under the direction of Dr Jeannette Böttcher and Dr Katharina von Elbwart are working closely together to achieve this.
Experience abroad for prospective teachers
During the pilot phase, students from Georgia will come to Paderborn in mid-February to complete their entire practical semester at Paderborn University and teach at German schools - Thune Primary School, Paderborn-Elsen Comprehensive School and Pelizaeus Gymnasium. From November, Paderborn students will also be able to spend six weeks at US schools as part of their internship semester and at the same time complete coursework at KSU by attending seminars or writing research papers.
"KSU is one of the best addresses in the USA for anyone aspiring to a career as a teacher, manager or university lecturer. It is characterised by a very safe learning, working and living environment as well as a low cost of living - the perfect conditions to give our Master's students an exciting experience abroad," says von Elbwart. "From 2026, this exchange is to take place annually and provide both sides with an international and intercultural perspective on teacher training."
Further training for teachers
A staff exchange is also planned, which will take place at Paderborn University for the first time in April: Twelve US teachers will come to Paderborn for a week to exchange ideas and receive further training on current topics in international and foreign language teacher training with their German colleagues. "We are delighted that teachers from the entire Marietta City School District have agreed to take part in this programme, which will intensify cooperation and also give our students a lot of flexibility in their choice of school," says Böttcher. A return visit is planned for the end of the year.
This text was translated automatically.
