Aktuell

• von Cathrin Becker
• 14.09.2026

They love teaching and miss their profession: immigrant teachers who wish to take their first steps back into the classroom here in Germany will find ‘Lehrkräfte PLUS’ the perfect fit. Those interested can apply for the new intake of the qualification programme at UDE until 6 November 2026.

From 1 April 2027, the teachers will spend a year undergoing intensive, full-time training at UDE to prepare them for the German school system, whilst at the same time developing the necessary German language skills. The aim is to help them get started in teaching as quickly as possible, as many schools are still facing a shortage of teachers.

“The programme is aimed at international teachers from non-EU countries, some of whom have a refugee background,” says project coordinator Sinthuja Nadesalingam. “They can apply if they have already obtained a teaching qualification in their country of origin in the subjects of chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, technology and art, and have gained professional teaching experience.”

“Teachers PLUS” has been running at the UDE since 2020 and is funded by the NRW Ministry of Culture and Science. Since then, over 140 participants from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Brazil, India, Iraq, Iran, Russia, Syria, Turkey, Ukraine and Vietnam have successfully made their way back into the classroom.

Around two-thirds of graduates go on to join the ILF follow-up programme run by the district authorities after completing their degree. This enables them to gain even more experience in teaching in German and within the local school system – including a two-year post at a school.

Pictured: The participants in the current cohort of “Lehrkräfte PLUS”.

Further information:

https://www.uni-due.de/lehrkraefteplus/

Ansprechpersonen im Zentrum für Lehrkräftebildung (ZLB): Sinthuja Nadesalingam, Tel: 0201/ 18 34986, sinthuja.nadesalingam@uni-due.de und Marit Nina Martinez; Tel. 0201/18 34274, marit.nina-martinez@uni-due.de