Gaining teaching experience

Teaching in Spain, Colombia, or Switzerland? University students or graduates work as language assistants at a host school. The offer applies to Swiss students who go abroad as well as to foreign students who come to Switzerland.

What it's all about

As a language assistant you will work at a host school on a temporary basis, support local teachers in preparing lessons and have the opportunity to gain teaching experience yourself. You will teach pupils your native language in a playful manner and thus motivate them to speak the language. 

At the same time you will improve your foreign language skills, become acquainted with a new education system and gain your first work experience. You will also acquire valuable social and personal skills which are highly sought after in the labour market.

The stay offers you plenty of time to learn the local language, explore the country, and make international friends. Being immersed in a different culture will enrich your life and open up new career opportunities.

  • For students or graduates of various subjects as well as teachers with some limited professional experience.

  • The position of assistantship is restricted to language assistance in the native language: Options include English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. 

  • Pedagogical knowledge is an advantage but not mandatory.

  • Stays of a duration of 6 - 12 months are possible.

  • Options: at a host school abroad (for Swiss participants) or in Switzerland (for foreign participants).

  • We or a partner organisation abroad will find suitable host schools for participants.

  • Start at the beginning of the school year (pay attention to specific deadlines and start dates per country or canton).

Testimonials

Unterricht und Kultur in Sizilien entdecken

Nadine Ultsch war die erste Sprachassistentin an der Schweizer Schule in Catania (IT). Während einem Jahr unterrichtete sie Schülerinnen und Schüler in ihrer Muttersprache Deutsch und erlebte dabei einige Überraschungen.

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Unterrichtserfahrung in Kolumbien sammeln

Ein Aufenthalt in Kolumbien in 2019 weckte in Virginie Pommaz erstmals die Begeisterung für das Unterrichten. Im Jahr 2023 kehrte sie für ein Schuljahr nach Bogotà zurück, wo sie an der Schweizer Schule als Sprachassistentin arbeitete. Nun gibt sie Einblicke in ihre spannenden Erfahrungen.

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Alice hat ihre Muttersprache in Frankreich unterrichtet

Alice Crivelli ist die erste Tessinerin überhaupt, die in Frankreich als Sprachassistentin arbeitet. Sie gibt wertvolle Tipps zur Vorbereitung und teilt Einblicke in ihre Gastschule, den Unterricht und ihre Rolle in der Schule. 

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Eine Sprachassistentin spricht über ihre Erfahrungen in Wien

Für Manon Wisard war es die perfekte Gelegenheit, um Praxiserfahrung im Lehrberuf zu sammeln und eine neue Kultur kennenzulernen. Als Sprachassistentin arbeitete sie für ein Schuljahr an zwei Wiener Gymnasien und brachte dort Schülerinnen und Schülern ihre Muttersprache Französisch näher.

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French is the most popular language in Scotland

After completing her Master's degree, Veronica Queijas was hired as a language assistant for French in Edinburgh. During this unique stay, she was able to develop her teaching skills for her future career as a teacher.

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Erfahrungen einer Sprachassistentin in Spanien

Fanny Fellay hat als Sprachassistentin in Osuna (ES) gearbeitet. In ihrem Erfahrungsbericht spricht sie darüber, was sie inspiriert hat, weshalb ihr Enthusiasmus plötzlich unterbrochen wurde und warum sie trotzdem nicht gezögert hat, die Stelle um ein weiteres Jahr zu verlängern.

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Sprachassistentin sammelt einmalige Erfahrungen in Spanien

Nuria Sublet-Favre ist die erste Schweizerin Sprachassistentin an einer spanischen Schule. Dort unterrichtet die Pionierin ihre Muttersprache Deutsch und sammelt wertvolle Erfahrungen für ihren späteren Lehrberuf. Im Erfahrungsbericht gibt sie Tipps für zukünftige Assistentinnen und Assistenten.

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Added value

  • You gain insights into the teaching profession in another country.
  • You gain valuable teaching experience.
  • You learn a foreign language.
  • You improve your career prospects.
  • You broaden your understanding of other cultures.
  • You expand your international network.
  • You benefit from an existing infrastructure for exchanges and professional support from Movetia when preparing for your stay.

Options

  • Language teaching assistance in Switzerland

    • Teaching your native language at a school in Switzerland

    • Place of residence and school attendance or university studies in another country

    • Country of destination is Switzerland 

    • Duration of stay 10-12 months

    •  We arrange the assistantship at a Swiss host school

  • Language teaching assistance abroad

    • Teaching the native language at a local school or Swiss school abroad

    • Place of residence and school attendance or university studies in Switzerland

    • Country of destination varies depending on native language 

    • Duration of stay 6-12 months

    • Our partner organisations arrange the assistantship at a host school abroad 

Similar funding opportunities

  • National exchange for prospective teachers

    Prospective teachers complete an exchange semester or a teaching internship in another language region of Switzerland.

  • Job shadowing and teaching assignment at other schools

    As a teacher, school principal or a member of the school staff, you will gain insights into the school practice from an other school.

  • Student exchange

    Students have the opportunity to spend time abroad during their studies. They can choose to do an exchange semester at another university or gain work experience with a traineeship. Financial support is available both for studying and for working abroad.