Many students of language and literature studies combine their specialist studies with additional pedagogical teacher training leading to the diploma for upper secondary school teachers ("Lehrdiplom für Maturitätsschulen"), thus obtaining a professional qualification. This enables them to teach at grammar schools, state middle schools, vocational and private schools, in company employee education units or in adult education. Teaching German as a foreign language (GFL) is becoming increasingly significant because of the many non-German-speaking immigrants to German-speaking Swiss regions. Furthermore, German teachers who have a competent knowledge of French in addition to German as their mother tongue enjoy good employment opportunities in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Alongside teaching, there are job opportunities in teacher training and development, educational planning and school management.
The rules on subject options applicable to the diploma for secondary school teachers differ according to the educational institution and canton. It is important to consider the subject combination carefully. Career opportunities are better for teachers who combine subjects that are in demand.
It is a good idea for prospective middle and vocational school teachers to find out about opportunities to do supply work and teach extracurricular or optional lessons in middle schools or vocational schools while they are still studying.
Click here for information about the secondary school teaching diploma ("Lehrdiplom für Maturitätsschulen")
University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW)
University of Teacher Education BEJUNE
University of Teacher Education Bern
University of Teacher Education Thurgau
University of Teacher Education Zug
University of Zurich