Fit4EU

Teacher Trainings for a Target Group-Specific Civic Education on the European Union

The Jean Monnet Project ‘Fit4EU – Teacher Trainings for a Target Group-Specific Civic Education on the European Union’ offers teachers multi-module trainings on how to teach civic education on the European Union. Participants learn approaches that are methodologically diverse, practical, academically grounded, and cognitively activating.

During the training, teachers deepen their understanding about the EU, acquire skills to successfully convey that knowledge in the classroom and are introduced to innovative teaching approaches. The training offers lectures given by experts, as well as the opportunity to converse with members of the European Parliament. In addition to engaging with the trainings’ learning materials, participants will also have the option to network with other teachers.

Accompanying systematic research provides new insights concerning the needs, success factors and impact of teacher trainings on (EU) civic education.

Thank you for your interest!

Provide teachers with professional training in giving students at various types of schools a civic education on the EU
Inform and prepare students to participate in EU political processes
Foster networking among German and international civics teachers
Strengthen educators‘ skills in teaching civic education on the EU in a sustainable manner
Provide evidence to guide further refinement of current teacher trainings

Complete two cycles of multi-module, target group-specific teacher trainings tracks
Organize a summer school for students and practicing teachers
Provide teaching materials for trainings and classroom
End with a public conference for anyone interested in the subject matter
Systematically conduct guided research

The project ‘Fit4EU – Teacher Trainings for a Target Group-Specific Civic Education on the European Union’ is for civics teachers working at various types of schools. The trainings’ aim is to equip teachers with the tools to structure their civics classes on the EU in an academic, student-oriented, and methodologically diverse manner.

Our teacher trainings are developed based on current research findings on European integration, civic education on the EU, and factors shown to make teacher trainings successful. When conveying the learning materials, the training deliberately combines subject-specific and pedagogical elements in a practical manner that allows them to be applied in the classroom. The aim is to empower and motivate teachers to take what they learn and apply it in their civics lessons on the EU.

The trainings are tailored to specific student target groups with the aim to enable teachers to apply the content, methods, and materials taught in their respective teaching environments. The training integrates interactive lessons and practical learning. During the practical phase, teachers are given space to apply, practice and reflect on the teaching methods. In this way, new competency skills are ingrained in their practice.

Goals

Gain a deeper and up-to-date understanding of the EU
Expand pedagogical knowledge for practical use
Learn various approaches of a methodologically diverse, target group-specific civic education on Europe
Discuss experiences with other civics teachers
Obtain an official certificate of completion

Primary Level

Political views, knowledge, and skills develop from a young age and build the foundation for future learning and development.

Secondary and Vocational Schools

Students in secondary and vocational schools often perceive themselves as “apolitical” and assume politics have little relevance in their personal lives.

Grammar and Comprehensive Schools

Given the complexity and dynamics of European integration, widespread prejudices towards the European Union, and a perceived detachment of the EU from everyday life, civics teachers face numerous challenges when teaching civic education on Europe.

English Language Training Track

Civic education is increasingly being taught in English, and the European Union is a particularly suitable subject for this.

Choosing the “right” training track for you

The titles of the training tracks according to school types are only intended to give you a starting point. Consideration of the needs of your respective learning groups should guide your choice of training track. The training track 2a/b (Secondary and Vocational Schools) is designed to be particularly low-threshold, e.g. even less text-heavy and somewhat more reduced in complexity. At the same time, track 3a/b (Grammar and Comprehensive Schools) also focuses on relevance to the real world and an action-oriented approach to civics lessons.