Studying the B.Ed. at our English Department

Why choose our Bachelor of Education study programme? If you value academic excellence, interdisciplinary and international expertise in teacher education, unique research and study resources as well as a dedicated staff and a vibrant student population, then the Bachelor of Education English at the University of Tübingen might be just for you.

Come and meet us at the regular open house event which is called "Studieninfotag" and is organized by the University! Every year in November, the University of Tübingen organises an open house event for high-school students interested in studying in our B.Ed. English. You can find out more about the structure of our study programme, you can get to know some of our students, professors and other members of the English Department.

Fact Check for the Bachelor of Education English

You probably already have some ideas about what the B.Ed. English is about, how we work at university and what distinguishes the B.Ed. from other study programmes. Make sure to find out what is myth and what is fact in our interactive section "Myth or Fact?".

Myth or Fact?

Test your own expectations about the Bachelor of Education English at Tübingen University. Click on each statement to find out whether or not you are able to separate myth from reality about our study programme and to reveal common misconceptions.

In order to be accepted in the B.Ed. English at Tübingen University, applicants do not need any other language skills except good skills in English.

Myth or Fact?

MYTH.

Our application requirements for the B.Ed. English do in fact include a good command of spoken and written English on a CEFR level of B2. But, furthermore, applicants have to provide further proof of language skills: either in Latin (the so-called Latinum) or in a second modern language (for example, French or Spanish) on a CEFR level of A2.

Being interested in British and/ or American pop culture like music, film, fashion is a good reason to study English.

Myth or Fact?

MYTH.

Being interested in English-speaking popular cultures can be a good incentive to explore the curriculum of English as a subject at university further. However, studying English means more than just 'consuming' popular culture. Students in the B.Ed. English cover different areas of study: Academic English with a focus on advanced skills in speaking and writing; Literary and Cultural Studies with a focus on theories, concepts and methods necessary for studying Anglophone literatures and cultures (including but not limited to British and American literatures and cultures); and, English Linguistics with a focus on the study of the English language. In general, future students of our B.Ed. English should bring enthusiasm for the English language and the literatures and cultures of the English-speaking world and should have a special interest in the teaching of English in the foreign language classroom.

Some of the courses in the B.Ed. English at Tübingen University are held in German since studies take place at a German university.

Myth or Fact?

MYTH OF ALL MYTHS.

All of the courses at our English Department are held in English without any exception. In fact, the Tübingen English Department prides itself on offering a wide range of study programmes on the Bachelor and on the Master level – all taught exclusively in English.

There is no real difference between studying English in a teaching degree and in a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Myth or Fact?

MYTH.

While the subject-specific areas of study for our B.Ed. English are identical to those in the Bachelor of Arts English and American Studies, comprising Literary and Cultural Studies, Linguistics and Academic English, students in our B.Ed. English attend several courses in the teaching-related part of the curriculum in Teaching English as a Foreign Language. These courses are designed specifically for our B.Ed. students and intend to prepare them for the challenges of teaching English in the foreign language classroom. In addition, our B.Ed. students have a separate curriculum in educational science (Bildungswissenschaftliches Studium) to guide their professional development as future teachers. The Tübingen School of Education coordinates, organizes and realizes the development and advancement of teacher education across the different faculties and departments of the university.

Students in the B.Ed. English at Tübingen University can tailor the programme to suit their individual interests.

Myth or Fact?

(Mostly) FACT.

The curriculum of the B.Ed. English is built around the five areas of study: Academic English, Literary and Cultural Studies, English Linguistics and Teaching English as a Foreign Language. Courses in the first year of studies will be mostly prescribed introductory classes. The purpose of these introductory classes is to provide students with the basic knowledge, theories and methods for each academic discipline. Courses in the second and third year can then be chosen on the basis of individual student interests and preferences within the limits of the different areas of study and our courses offered each semester. The Tübingen English Department prides itself on its broad spectrum of topics for teaching and research interests.

When I study English, the focus is on acquiring the English language.

Myth or Fact?

MYTH.

Studying English requires a deep interest not only in mastering the English language but in all dimensions of the subject, i.e. language, literature, and culture. The English language is the vehicle and medium of teaching and studying English at university, so your English needs to be good when you come here. Nevertheless, you will participate in courses that will help you to continuously improve it.

With English as a subject I will have lots of spare time on my hands during term breaks.

Myth or Fact?

MYTH.

The main component of studying English is doing lots of reading, both for courses and also beyond. There are regular reading assignments (novels, short stories, plays, poems, theoretical texts…) for courses and additional reading requirements for term papers which have to be written during term breaks.

English at University is like English at school, only harder.

Myth or Fact?

(A VERY POPULAR) MYTH.

In comparison to school, studying English heavily emphasises the development of skills that enable critical and independent thinking with a lot less close guidance and structure than at school.

Studying English requires me to go abroad during my studies.

Myth or Fact?

FACT.

Though it is not obligatory, it is strongly recommended. The English Department offers many exchange programs and advises students to do an exchange while at uni. You can either study abroad at another university or do an internship at a school. For most of these exchanges, you can also apply for financial support.

Studying English literature means focusing primarily on texts by William Shakespeare and other dead white male authors.

Myth or Fact?

MYTH, MYTH, MYTH, MYTH, MYTH...

Certainly not. While literary works that are considered canonical texts will play an important role in your studies, you will also get the chance to critically reflect on the status and function of a canon in general. Who is in and who is out and, most importantly, why and under which circumstances? Shakespearean sonnets as well as, for instance, contemporary song lyrics by female pop artists or collaborative digital fiction might therefore be part of your academic reading curriculum.

Voices from Students and Alumni of the Bachelor of Education English

Below, you can read testimonials from students and alumni of our Bachelor of Education programme.

They share first-hand experience of their studies at the English Department of Tübingen University and let you in on why they chose Tübingen as their alma mater in the first place and how they feel about their studies.

Are you a former B.Ed. student from our department? Want to share your testimonial with us to be featured here on our website? Contact us and let us know!

Neslihan Uzundal

alumna of the B.Ed. and student of the M.Ed. English at Tübingen University

Die versprochene Verknüpfung von Theorie und Praxis lenkte meine Entscheidung, in Tübingen studieren zu wollen.

Das Lehramtsstudium in Tübingen zog mich nicht nur wegen der schönen und an die Natur gebundenen Lage an, sondern vor allem wegen der interdisziplinären Ausrichtung des Faches. Neben sprachwissenschaftlichen Veranstaltungen kommt man in den Genuss von vielfältigen Angeboten im Bereich Literatur und Kultur. Das gewonnene Fachwissen hingegen wird in didaktischen Seminaren, die im Lehramtsstudium im Fach Englisch einen Schwerpunktbereich bilden, für die Tätigkeit als Lehrkraft aufbereitet.

Das Lehramtsstudium im Fach Englisch an der Universität Tübingen verhilft dazu, sich persönlich weiterzuentwickeln. Das vielfältige Veranstaltungsangebot ermöglicht, dass man sich über thematische Vorlieben bewusst wird und persönliche Interessen verfolgen kann. Diese Interessen können in den Schulkontext eingebettet werden – nicht nur im Rahmen von Schulpraktika, die im Laufe des Studiums anstehen, sondern auch in den fachdidaktischen Lehrversanstaltungen.

Flyer B.Ed. English

Flyer (Winter 2022)
The flyer offers a general overview of the structure of the study programme, a study planner spanning the suggested six semesters of studies and more information on the English Department.