Want to be the teacher they remember?
Dutch schools educate pupils from day one to work and learn together, use IT and apply their knowledge in real life tasks. In this programme you study Dutch educational theories, develop general teaching skills, get to know different activating tasks and become aware of different teacher roles. With this first experience in mind, you start an internship in a Dutch primary or secondary school, depending on your field of studies. Study this programme and become a real global teacher!
What’s Primary and Secondary Education like?
Studying Education at Windesheim means putting theory into practice together at bachelor's level with your fellow students. During the lessons by using the input of you all, we construct knowledge and broaden our horizons. You will look at school systems from a cross-cultural perspective, experience different views and become an expert through our support and guidance.
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Four interconnected courses
Our education program consists of four courses, which are interconnected. The aim is that students who have familiarized themselves with the basics of teaching will now further develop their knowledge and skills through practical application. Since these courses are geared towards expanding general teaching skills and towards the teacher as a professional, this program is suitable for teachers of all school contexts alike.
Below the education courses are introduced briefly. Since the specific education programme consists of 20 ECTS credits in total, each student should select a number of courses listed in the electives up to a total of 30 ECTS credits. -
Teaching Strategies (5 ECTS credits)
In this course you learn to choose and use materials that are adequate to teach the content. Therefore, you learn to take into account the knowledge pupils need to learn, the skills pupils need to develop and the attitude pupils need to show. Furthermore, you teach with the objective and results in mind. Since pupil’s engagement is known to be important for effective learning, in this program you learn to stimulate active learning. In the course there are many examples of all kinds of activities that you can apply in your future educational context.
Want to know more about this module? Check the course catalogue for more information about matters such as assessment and teaching methods.
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Surviving your classroom (5 ECTS credits)
In this course you are introduced to various pedagogical theories related to classroom management. Teaching a full classroom often leads to behavioral challenges, as well as challenges concerning how to react in a proper and effective way. There are different strategies you can apply to create a pleasant learning environment in the classroom. The way teachers react and motivate students is vital for group dynamics and effective learning. By group discussions and activities with fellow students on the pedagogical theories and your own experiences with theories studied at your home university, you develop different perspectives on how to act appropriately in a pedagogical (educational) situation.
Want to know more about this module? Check the course catalogue for more information about matters such as assessment and teaching methods.
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Be the educational explorer! (5 ECTS credits)
This course relates to your own professional development in a specific field of your interest. First you make a plan of action. This plan contains an analysis of your skills concerning your competencies in pedagogy and didactics. This leads to a specific plan for improving your skills related to a chosen subject and a timetable to carry out the plan.
When the plan is approved, you starts off doing some research. After the research, you design, perform and evaluate an educational workshop in cooperation with others.
Afterwards you reflect on what you have learned from this course and how this educational activity can be used in the your educational context.Want to know more about this module? Check the course catalogue for more information about matters such as assessment and teaching methods.
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School Practice (5 ECTS credits)
Option 1: Internship
To get a perspective on education in Dutch schools, we organize a seven-week internship at a local school. You will go there one or two days a week. This way, you experience a variety of education related activities in Dutch schools and the difference between education at schools in your home country and in the Netherlands.
You are introduced to various aspects of the Dutch teaching profession. By observing teachers and pupils, you acquire a panoramic view of teacher’s work and of the organizational setting in schools in the Netherlands. By preparing and performing educational activities like observing the teacher and class, assisting colleagues, interviewing the teacher, helping children with their work, assisting in extra group work for students with special needs, correcting tests and preparing and performing an activity with a didactic approach which activates the pupils. By doing so you gain experience of teaching a Dutch class. During the internship, you further develop your teaching skills. You compare the pedagogical-didactical climate between the host school and schools in your own country. Throughout the period of internship you reflect on your personal learning objectives concerning the internship, write a personal development plan with regard to how to achieve these goals and reflect afterwards on whether you have achieved your goals.Sometimes we are not able to find suitable internship locations. You can then choose to do option 2; the research project.
Option 2: Research project
For this project, you will do research the ‘global teacher’ for seven weeks. Because what does it entail to teach in a culturally diverse classroom? You will strengthen your professional development as a teacher and acquire the necessary tools for being a teacher in the 21st century. You will visit a school in order to observe aspects that are related to your research topic.
Want to know more about this module? Check the course catalogue for more information about matters such as assessment and teaching methods.
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Elective modules
Complete your exchange semester or year by taking one or two cross-departmental modules. You will receive ECTS credits when you complete a module successfully.
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Requirements and application
You are required to have two years of Bachelor’s study experience in a relevant field and English-language skills at B2 level.
Practical information
Academic Calendar Finance
Housing Visa Facilities
Credits and Grading Partnerships
Learning Agreement
The Learning Agreement is a crucial document for the recognition of a study period abroad. It is an agreement between you, your university and Windesheim. When you decide to do an exchange programme at Windesheim, you have to create a Learning Agreement that includes the respective courses of the exchange programme. Learn more on how to set up the Learning Agreement for your specific exchange programme at Windesheim.
Want to know more?
Questions about studying at Windesheim? Contact the International Office via +31 884699777 or email(opens in new tab).
Any questions about the content of this programme? Get in touch with Priscilla van Elburg by email(opens in new tab).