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Project Summary connect4future
All Higher Education Institutions are currently required to address internationalization in Teacher Education as a central task. This is motivated by two main reasons. On the one hand, schools, teaching and Teacher Education are increasingly taking place in international and culturally diverse environments. On the other hand, many of today’s societal challenges can only be sufficiently understood and sustainably overcome by considering their global contexts and seeking international cooperations.
Therefore, prospective teachers need to acquire interdisciplinary skills beyond their professional studies in order to manage complex cross-cutting themes such as health education, intercultural education, digitalization and inclusion in schools and society. Teacher Education must consequently create interdisciplinary teaching formats that are systematically anchored within the study programs and purposefully promote international perspectives and intercultural proficiency.
By embedding Future Skills and cross-cutting themes in an international context and perspective connect4future combines both approaches. Within an international Higher Education network students, faculty and partner institutions work together on central topics in Teacher Education and develop joint teaching and learning formats. All participants will benefit from the professional exchange and students are expected to substantially develop and enhance their intercultural and future-oriented skills.
In accordance with the program's funding guidelines, the project encourages climate-sensitive and resource-saving implementation: mobility formats and events will be – whenever possible – sustainably organized as digital formats, short-term stays or a targeted use of existing infrastructure.
connect4future is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, as well as by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), within the program "Teaching.International 2.0: Internationalisation of teaching degree programmes at German universities, Model projects at German universities (Modul A) (2025-2029)".
Cross-Cutting Themes and Future Skills in Teacher Training
connect4future focuses on four cross-cutting themes that are essential for the students’ interdisciplinary and intercultural proficiency.
Relevant for the professional field:
- Media Education and Digitalization
- Education for Sustainable Development
- Health Education and Resilience
- Education for Democracy
Each of these four subject areas offers a variety of opportunities to incorporate different professional perspectives and international contexts, thus fostering cooperation within the university and with partner institutions. This thematic openness can then be further explored and tailored to specific focal points. All in all, such an understanding of cross-cutting themes and interdisciplinary skills complies with the regulations in Teacher Education issued by the federal state of North Rhine Westphalia ("Lehramtszugangsverordnung LZV" §10), which outlines the interdisciplinary skills that prospective teachers are expected to acquire by the end of their studies.
Events and Formats
Various events as well as teaching and learning formats developed in close cooperation with subject departments and partner institutions will primarily focus on conceptional work on and professional exchange related to cross-cutting themes and Future Skills relevant for prospective teachers. These formats will include:
- Internationally oriented lecture series
- International summer schools, both in Siegen and at partner universities
- Guest lectureships and interdisciplinary project seminars
- Excursions to partner universities and other short-term mobility opportunities
- Hybrid event formats in the context of internationalization@home
- International meet-ups “Lehramt.International”
Information for Students
connect4future supports you in internationalizing your teaching degree program.
It can be exhausting to organize a stay abroad alongside your studies – we’re here to help you get a taste of international life, without the stress.
- You don’t want to spend a whole semester abroad? We offer short-term programs like excursions or summer schools – so you can continue your studies and still broaden your horizons!
- Your course of study doesn’t require or plan for a stay abroad? That’s where we come in! With us, you can gain international experience – no matter your subject combination or school type.
- You are worried your subject combination isn’t suitable for going abroad? We offer an international focus on relevant cross-cutting themes in teacher training. Together, we’ll explore topics like media education and digitalization, sustainability, democracy education, health education and resilience – all through an international lens.
- You have no money for a short stay abroad or excursions? Apply for a grant to join our programs – you can still take part!
- You have no time to plan everything on your own? Participating in connect4future requires much less planning than an individual stay abroad.
- You’d rather stay in Siegen but still feel drawn to the wider world? Join our hybrid events and international lecture series here in Siegen, so you can get started with your internationalization@home!
We get it: taking the first step can be hard. But connect4Future is here to support you! Just book a slot in our digital consultation hour – we’ll help you start your international adventure in Teacher Education.
Information for Faculty
connect4future offers you the opportunity to easily implement international teaching formats – such as project seminars on cross-cutting themes relevant to Teacher Education, excursions to partner universities and guest lectureships – either in person or online. We provide organizational and financial support allowing you to focus on your course content and the exchange with your international colleagues.
We encourage you to include an international perspective in your teaching and happily provide organizational and financial support. If you are interested in joining our programs we are happy to advise you on formats and funding opportunities during our digital consultation hour.
Coordinator
Vanessa Breitkopf
0271 / 740-2078
Digital Consultation Hour
for Students and Faculty
Tuesday 13:30 - 15:00 o'clock
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