Teacher licensure in Switzerland?

Visas, Permits, Passports and Naturalization
1
I'm a dual US/CH citizen interested in seeking a Swiss teaching credential. I know this is all done on a cantonal basis, so I've targeted ZH.

My background: Master's degree, English teaching license, several years of experience in the US, Switzerland and Asia.

My question: Does anyone know if getting the Swiss licensure/permit/certification would involve A) Merely submitting paperwork and waiting; B) Taking "professional education" courses and/or C) Earning yet another university degree?

I can't imagine they'd make me take English classes, but you never know with bureaucracies.

Thanks.

2
Depends on what grades you intend to teach. As far as I know, there's no way to get your US teaching license transfered (the other way round doesn't work either - my wife tried that).

AFAIK they won't even accept your college degree, as Switzerland doesn't have any agreements with the US as far as college degrees and teachers' licenses go. They do with the EU.

You might want to try getting credit for your college degree in Geneva or Lausanne - they're more liberal in the French speaking parts of Switzerland.

Also, for a High-School or college teaching license, you need to have two college majors (e.g. English + German, English + French, English + History etc.). A major and a minor won't do. You then have to take courses at a "Pädagogische Hochschule". This typically takes 1 1/2 to 2 years and involves some internships.

However, to point out the positive options as well: many high-schools and colleges (Gymnasien) offer their teachers the possibility to get the licensing done on-the-job. Also, you might find that Universities are less strict when it comes to the licensure process. Perhaps you should consider a doctorate with a teaching position at a University.

Peter

3
Alternatively there are several international schools you could consider

4
what about preschool teacher license? do they recognize Singapore certification?

5
extremely unlikely. Also, there are no preschools in Switzerland. There are Kindergartens - Kindergarten teachers aren't considered teachers per se and their certification is handled on a cantonal basis, as far as I know.

You'll need perfect German or French (depending on where you live) - some communities only hire people who are Swiss-German native speakers.

peter

6
If you bite the bullet and get do the CELTA (four week course) and then the CELTYL (a further two weeks) you will have sufficient qualification to teach in a Swiss school (even in the German part).

That, and your other qualifications/experience should make you quite marketable.

Have a look at this website www.flyingteachers.ch for more information.

Good luck.

7
on which level? I'd find it extremely surprising if you could circumvent all Swiss certification regulations and requirements by taking this 6 weeks course. My wife had to add another 2 years of teaching school to her 5 years of University to get a teacher's license.

8
I did CELTA and can teach in adult language schools but Swiss schools ask for the CELTYL extension if you want to apply for jobs there.

Two or three people who were on my course went on to do this and now work in Swiss schools in Zurich (and one in Aagau). One other person got a job without the CELTYL but I think it was around the time that schools were desperate for English teachers (around 2003).

9
Ok, but's not for public schools, is it?

10
As in state schools, normal run-of-the-mill schools? Yes.

Obviously my former course-mates only teach English because their German wouldn't be good enough to teach the rest of the curriculum but they are gainfully employed by normal schools.

11
I'll have to check with my wife (she work's for the department of education in Basel), but I'm 99.9% sure that this wouldn't be legal in Basel-Stadt.

peter

12
There would have to be one hell of a financial incentive for me to go back to school and earn a doctorate. Something tells me there isn't.

13
dawiz: I checked out that link and it seems Eduqua approves the CELTA for adult education courses. Am I right in assuming this wouldn't include gymnasia?

14
Dear Dawiz,

I am an Italian girl, graduated in Modern Languages and Literatures (Spanish and English) and I worked for 2 years as teacher in Italy (private kindergarten, public secondary schools). As you and your wife know perfectly (it seems so) the Swiss school "system" I would ask you: what can I do in order to teach in ZUERICH in a kindergarten, or to teach (maybe Italian as a language) in primary and secondary schools?

Or, if you can not help me, do you know WHERE I can ask for these info?

I went to the Italian Consulat/School department, and... well... they don't know the Swiss school system.

No comment :-(

If you can help me, I would really thank you a lot..

Ilenia

15
There are private preschools in Switzerland who are always looking for qualified teachers. I happen to be one of those.

If you are interested in working in the Zurich area, send your CV to Hands-On Kids English via email [Removed E-Mail] . We are currently hiring for the upcoming year.

16
Hi what is a BREVET pour l ́enseignement das les classes des cycles primaires et du cycle de transition

17
Any idea what they are employed as? If as teachers, on teachers grades and rates of pay, then I may have to think of a hat based recipe .

18
Agreed. Nor in the rest of Switzerland either.

19
When you taught in England did you have QTS (qualified teacher status)? If so, then you will be qualified to teach in state schools here. You have to fill in a quite detailed form about your qualification and pay a (not inexpensive) fee to get yourself recognised as a teacher here.

20
If it's primary school the regulations are canton-based. In Zurich they recently changed the regulations so German language proficiency is not required - you can get an 'approval' of some sort even if you don't have German, to be a primary school teacher - of course, then it's up to the school whether to employ you - your prospective employer will have to submit all the paperwork to have you approved...

"Preschool" is different to "Kindergarten" under the regulations - hmmm - but some 'kindergartens' come under the canton (as part of primary school), and others under a federal regulation system which applies also to child-care, creche, 'krippe', 'day-care' etc...and the requirements for that will be different again...

From what I understand, it's a lot easier for the schools to get international teachers approved in Canton zurich, for the primary school, than to get early childhood teachers approved at the federal level, but that may also depend on who you talk to, and what they are familiar with (it's an expertise in itself to comply with all the necessary regulations and run a school, that is for sure!)...and of course it will all depend on teacher availability and your ability to fulfil their expectations...