Student in the library

French

Student in the library
Image: Adobe Stock
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Key facts
Degree
First State Exam Regular School
Admission restriction
without admission restriction (without NC)
Duration
10 Semesters
Credits/ECTS
300
Teaching language
German
Tuition fee
None
Semester contribution
€ 305,05
Start of studies
Winter semester
Part-time possible
Yes
Institutions
Faculty of Arts
Institute of Romance Studies
Application & Deadlines
Notice

The Secondary School Teacher Training (Regelschule) programme has been increased from 270 credit points to 300 credit points as of the winter semester 2024/25 . If you enrol|to matriculate for the winter semester, you will study according to new study and Examination Regulations de. You will complete the specialised study programme in two of your chosen subjects, including subject didactics. Your pedagogical qualification will take place in the educational sciences. You can find more information here de.

Programme content

In Jena, you will study French according to the Jena Model for Secondary School Teacher Training (Regelschule). You will learn to teach French as a school subject and acquire the professional competences required of a French teacher. In addition to acquiring didactic and methodological knowledge and skills, the programme focuses on developing and consolidating language skills. You will also study the Francophone cultural area from a linguistic, literary and cultural studies perspective.

In the first half of the degree programme, you will complete a preparatory work placement de and a school placement semester de, giving you intensive insights into the teaching profession at an early stage. This allows you to gain your own practical teaching experience as you immerse yourself in your future working life, which you will analyse academically as you progress through the course. Some teaching staff from the subject) area|field work in the teaching profession at the same time and incorporate current needs, situations and developments in the school landscape into the course|classes.

Structure

You complete the teacher training programme at the University of Jena with the First State Examination. The standard period of study|regular programme length is ten semesters in total, during which various types of courses (e.g. seminars, lectures or tutorials) are offered for the individual modules. The teacher training programme is based on the Jena model, which is characterised by a five-monthExternal link school placement semesterExternal link in the fifth or sixth semester.

You will study two subjects of your choice, including subject didactics. Your pedagogical qualification takes place in the educational sciences de. A total of 300 credit points (ECTS)|ECTS credits (1 ECTS = 30 hours of attendance, preparation and follow-up work|follow-up activity, study and assessed coursework and examinations) must be completed.

The degree programme is designed in such a way that it can also be completed within the standard period of study|regular programme length with a one-semester stay abroad. For example, you can complete the school placement semester at a school in a foreign French-speaking country. This will also familiarise you with the relevant school system and improve your knowledge of French while you try out working with pupils and develop your teaching skills.

For more information on the structure of the teacher training programme in Jena, please contact the Centre for Teacher Training and Educational Research.

Why study in Jena?

  • An ideal balance between theory and practice: At the Institute of Romance Studies de, you will learn to research the French language and the French-speaking cultural area and to reflect academically on school-related issues in French teaching. At the same time, you will be confronted with concrete examples that will pave your way into practice.
  • Familiar atmosphere and individual support: The balanced relationship between students and teaching staff at the institute ensures a familiar study atmosphere. Working in clearly organised seminar groups also ensures excellent supervision. Many course|classes are accompanied by tutorials, which offer additional help for exam preparation.
  • Many opportunities to practise French: Language classes are taught exclusively in French by native-speaking lecturers. Authentic French materials are covered in the academic course|classes so that you are constantly in touch with the French language. International conferences, readings and talks by authors and lectures by French guest lecturers are organised regularly.
  • Opportunity to study in several languages: At the Institute of Romance Studies de, you can acquire language skills in 4 other Romance languages in addition to French: Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Romanian.
  • Development of digital media skills: Digitalisation is increasingly shaping everyday school life and will be a constant companion in your professional life. For this reason, we organise various projects at the Institute of Romance Studies so that you not only acquire expertise|specialist knowledge, but also learn how to use digital media professionally and reflectively in French lessons at school.
  • Adventures abroad: You can easily fulfil your dream of a semester abroad de. Our university has a worldwide network of partner universities. Every foreign language is best perfected directly in the target language country. We therefore recommend that you spend at least one semester in a French-speaking country during your studies.

What can you do after your studies?

Career opportunities:

  • General education: The typical route into school practice is via the preparatory service (traineeship). During this phase, you develop your practical teaching skills on the basis of your degree. Secondary school teachers have very good employment prospects.

  • Adult education: Outside of the school system, there are opportunities for you to work as a French teacher in the subject) area|field of adult education.

The teaching qualification completed in Thuringia is recognised|to credit in all other federal states upon formal request to the respective Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs. You can apply to the Ministries of Education and Cultural Affairs of other federal states both for the preparatory service (Referendariat) and for employment in the teaching profession (after completing the second state examination). You can obtain more detailed information on this from the respective Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs.

Downloads and links for the degree programme

From winter semester 2024/25:

Until summer semester 2024:

What are we looking for in prospective students?

If you are fascinated by the French language and culture and how they are taught at school, and you have a genuine interest in other countries and intercultural exchange, you already have the most important requirements.

Admission requirements

  • University entrance qualification

    A university entrance qualification, such as a general secondary school leaving certificate, is required for admission onto the study programme.

    More information on university entrance qualifications can be found here.

  • Language requirements

    French language skills are required at level A2 of the CEFR. Proof is provided in the form of a high school diploma or certificate of an equivalent qualification. Placement in the French language courses is based on a test at the beginning of the course.

    Sufficient knowledge of Latin at beginner's level (usually corresponding to at least two years of consecutive school lessons completed with a grade of “sufficient”) is essential for the course. Knowledge of Latin should be available at the beginning of the course. If this is not the case, they should be proven by the end of the first year of study at the latest by passing a university Latin course comprising at least 4 semester hours. Proof of knowledge of Latin is a prerequisite for admission to the BRomF-S1 module for the undergraduate teacher training program. The University Language Center offers a “Latin for Romance Studies” course.

  • Initial internship

    In Jena, the teacher training course includes an introductory internship de lasting 240 hours. You should reflect on your educational experience in dealing with children and young people in order to review your career aspirations and make a conscious decision. It makes sense to complete the introductory internship before starting your studies, but it can also be completed before registering for the internship semester (before the start of the third semester). You can also have work you have already done with children and young people recognized.

Contacts

Academic Advisory Service - Olivia Mauny

Room 404
Ernst-Abbe-Platz 8
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Academic Office for Student Affairs and Examinations (ASPA)

Bachstraße 18k
07743 Jena

Telephone hours:
Mondays and Fridays (9:00 – 11:00)
Wednesdays (13:00 – 15:00)

The ASPA is primarily responsible for students in the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and the Faculty of Theology.

Postal address:
Akademisches Studien- und Prüfungsamt
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena

Centre for Teacher Training and Educational Research

Room E010
Semmelweisstr. 12
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Postal address:
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Zentrum für Lehrerbildung und Bildungsforschung
Semmelweisstr. 12
07743 Jena

Student Tutor for Teacher Training

Room StuRa-Arbeitsraum
Carl-Zeiß-Straße 3
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Central Student Advisory Service

University Main Building / SSZ
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Office hours:
We offer consultations in person, by telephone, and via Zoom. You can make an appointment by calling us on +49 3641 9-411111 (Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 to 11:00) or outside these office hours on +49 3641 9-411200. You can also use our remote help desk.

Consultation hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (9:00 to 12:20), Tuesdays (14:00 to 18:00), and Wednesdays and Thursdays (14:00 to 16:00).

Video chat: To the video chat – Zoom Videochat ZeitenMondays to Fridays (12:30 to 13:00) Password ZSB2020 Data protection informationpdf, 101 kb

Student Service Centre

University Main Building, Room E065
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Opening hours:
ATTENTION:
In the period 11.08.-12.09.2025, the information desk is open for very urgent personal matters on Monday 10 am - 12 noon and Thursday 1 pm - 3 pm.
The information desk will be closed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday!
Please use the ServiceDesk for your concerns. Thank you very much.

Information Desk (UHG; Room E0.65) - outside the above-mentioned period:

Mondays (10:00 – 12:00)
Tuesdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Wednesdays (10:00 – 12:00)
Thursdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Fridays (10:00 – 12:00)

You can also use our remote help desk at
www.uni-jena.de/service-ssz
or send us your enquiries by post.

Telephone hours:
Mondays to Fridays
(9:00 – 11:00)

Postal address:
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Studierenden-Service-Zentrum
07737 Jena

International Office - International students

University Main Building
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link