Chapter 6 - Teacher Education in Germany - Mentoring in School Internships

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the current state of research on mentoring in practical teacher training, focussing on the quality of supervision and the relationships between mentor and mentee in practical phases at school. Using the example of the Lehr:werkstatt at Tübingen University's School of Education, it is shown how mentor-mentee interactions can be designed and what ideally distinguishes quality mentoring. First, the general characteristics and peculiarities of teacher education in Germany are described, with a special focus on the relationship between theoretical studies and practical relevance, and the much-discussed role of school-based practical phases that are integrated into university studies. Subsequently, central research results on the status and effectiveness of such school internships are presented, and the concepts and forms of school-based mentoring are clarified. Particular attention is given to the quality of supervision and relationships in mentoring constellations.