Language Assistant Review

I thoroghly enjoyed my placement and through the teaching assistantship I have decided to continue teaching and complete a pgce after I have graduated next year. I really enjoyed the opportunity to live in Germany for 9 months as well.

I definitely felt valued by my colleagues. They hadn't had an english assistant for many years and were really keen to get me involved with lots of different classes and also outside activities such as going to the theatre.

In each of my 2 schools I had a tutor who was my first point of call if I had any issues. They helped me arrange my timetable and invited me on school trips to really make me feel involved.

As I was only contracted to work 12 hours a week, the schools were careful not to give me too many lessons but once I had settled in and got to know all of the teachers I actually took on a few extra hours. This was still not too much and it really gave me the chance to make to most of living abroad and travel around the area I was living in.

As my title was 'teaching assistant' I thought I would only be assisting the teacher but I actually got given a lot more responsibility and ended up taking lessons, covering other teachers' lessons and taking a conversation course.

With regards to my degree, my german language skills have most definitely improved so that will help me in final year. With regards to my future, the skills I learned in the classroom and to do with lesson planning will come in handy when I complete a pgce and afterwards when I become a teacher.

The atmosphere in the staffroom was always great and the teachers really involved me well. I was placed in two really great schools so the atmosphere in the classroom was always good too.

Extremely well organised by the british council. I received information packs before hand with lots of helpful hint and tips and once I was in Germany I went on a very informative 3 day training course, which not only gave helpful advice for in the classroom but also was good for meeting other language assistants that were also placed in the area.

I formed close bonds with a few of the teachers and they invested a lot of time in me, taking me out for meals and to the cinema and out hiking - all to help me speak lots of german and to help me improve. I have also been told by both headmasters that I will most definitely be welcome to spend more time at the schools in the future.

not applicable

There was a great atmosphere with the other colleagues and we will continue to keep in touch. I also hope to return to Germany to see them next year. There was also a good atmosphere amongst the english assistants and we often met up and went on trips together, and hopefully have made friends for life.

The cost of living and socialising in my town in Germany was similar to here in the UK and I managed well with the income of 800 euros a month plus erasmus grant.

The nightlife was good in Kempten with lots of bars and 2 big clubs. I tended not to go to the clubs much as I was mixing with slightly older people and preferred to go out for meals at restaurants or cocktails.

The teachers made sure that they invited me to everything that was going on outside of work which included trips to the cinema, the theatre, hiking, skiing, meals out at restaurants etc.