Special education in Germany provides support for students with special needs that is different from mainstream education in several ways. Teachers require patience and empathy as the pace is slower and the focus is on life skills rather than academics. The relationship between teacher and student emphasizes helping students live independently over teaching basic skills. The document discusses the author's career path studying special education in Germany after volunteering with adults with disabilities.
11. What is transportation in NYC like?
What adjectives would you use to
describe your transportation?
How do you think the transportation
system is different in Germany?
15. My Career Path
At university now studying
special education
Voluntary “Social Year”
Worked with adults with
disabilities
Gymnasium = High School
16. Teaching Students
with Special Needs
What does Special Education mean?
Do you know anyone who has special
needs? What are they like? How might
they experience school differently than
mainstream students?
17. How is special education different
from other kinds of education?
1) Working with students with special needs requires
patience and empathy.
2) The pace of the school day isn’t as important in special
education classes.
3) The relationship between teacher and student is
different. Learning basic skills like calculating or writing is
less important than helping them to live an independent
life.
18. Blindfold Challenge
1. Divide the class into Eins (1) and Zwei (2).
2. In your native language, Eins teach your
partner how to say:
FRONT
BACK
RIGHT
LEFT
3. Zwei, place the blindfold on.
4. Eins, you will guide your partner to the
opposite side of the room only
communicating in YOUR NATIVE LANGUAGE.
BE SAFE. NO RUNNING. HAVE FUN!
19. Activity Reflection
• What was your impression of the
activity? How was it challenging?
• What do you think this tells us about
the challenges of working with special
needs students?