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Professional development in Germany ©Goethe-Institut

Are you a dedicated German teacher in New Zealand looking to grow professionally and gain fresh inspiration for your classroom? The Goethe-Institut offers a range of exciting scholarship programs for 2026 — most of them in Germany, and one in Australia. These opportunities allow you to immerse yourself in German language and culture, connect with educators from around the world, and enhance your teaching practice.

NEW: Trans Tasman Scholarship – Attend the Australian German Teachers Conference 2026 

  • Dates: 2-3 days, likely in September or October 2026 (exact dates to be confirmed) 
  • Location: Australia (venue to be announced) 
  • Application deadline: 9 November 2025
  • Details: Strengthen trans-Tasman exchange in German teaching! This new scholarship supports German teachers based in New Zealand to attend the National German Teachers’ Conference in Australia in 2026. The conference offers valuable professional development, networking opportunities, and insights into German teaching in the Australian context. 
  • What's Included: Conference registration fees, return flights to Australia, accommodation for the duration of the conference. 
  • Scholarship value: Approx. 1000 EUR
  • You can find the application form here or contact Yona Brand (yona.brand@goethe.de) for more information.

Scholarships for Professional Development Seminars in Germany

  • Dates: Various dates in 2026
  • Location: Germany
  • Application deadline: 9 November 2025
  • You can find the seminar catalog for 2026 here
  • Details: Join our immersive PD seminars in Germany designed by our headquarters. Enhance your teaching methods, connect with fellow educators, and experience the beauty of Germany. There are language courses specifially for German teachers available that focus on using German in your German language classroom. 
  • What's Included: Seminar fees, accommodation costs, a travel allowance of 1800EUR return in 2026 and a small allowance of 75EUR per week for your time in Germany. Teachers book their own transport to the seminar location.
  • Scholarship value: Approx. 4500 EUR
  • You can find the application form here.

Goethe-Institut Language Course Scholarship

  • Dates: Vary by location and time in 2026. Find your course here – please read specific inclusions below under “What’s Included”
  • Location: Germany
  • Application deadline: 9 November 2025
  • Details: Win a scholarship to attend a Goethe-Institut language course in Germany. Immerse yourself in language and culture. These language courses are not tailored for German teachers, they teach general German language knowledge within the CEFR.
  • What's Included: Course fees and a travel allowance of 1800EUR return in 2026. Teachers book their own transport to the course location. We also include accommodation in single rooms in Goethe guest houses in Dresden, Freiburg and Schwäbisch Hall. In Berlin we include a homestay accommodation in a single room in a private household and in any other location we offer an accommodation allowance of up to 750EUR.
  • Scholarship value: Approx. 3750 EUR
  • To apply, fill in the following form here.

PASCH School Teacher Opportunity: Professional Development/ Language Course

  • Dates: This program will typically run between June and July 2026
  • Location: Germany
  • Application deadline: 9 November 2025
  • Details: Teachers from Lynfield College, Pakuranga College, Heretaunga College, Burnside High School, Ashburton College, John McGlashan College, Columba College are invited to accompany students to the PASCH Jugendkurs. Teachers will attend a professional development cours or a language course for the duration of the PASCH Jugendkurs.
  • What's Included: Flights, accommodation, and course fees.
  • Scholarship value: Approx. 4525 EUR
  • Express your interest to Yona Brand (yona.brand@goethe.de).
  • Note: We may consider teachers from non-PASCH schools for this program. All teachers are welcome to express their interest.

Scholarship to accompany Students to the IDO (International German Olympics): Professional Development Seminar

  • Dates: 13 to 22 July 2026
  • Location: Mannheim, Germany
  • Available scholarships: 1 spot
  • Application deadline: 9 November 2025
  • What's Included: Return flights to Germany, train tickets to Mannheim, accommodation, meals, 120 EUR pocket money, course fee for professional development seminar for teachers
  • Scholarship value: Approx. 5150 EUR
  • Express your interest to Yona Brand (yona.brand@goethe.de).
Take the opportunity to apply for a professional development programme in Germany with the Goethe-Institut. If you have any questions, please contact Yona Brand at yona.brand@goethe.de.
I spent 2 weeks in Dresden with 22 other German teachers from 19 countries around the world, as we refreshed the methodology and pedagogy we use in our classrooms to teach German as a second language. Phonetics, memes, photos, mini research projects, using music and songs to reinforce grammar - we spent our time trying out the activities we can use in the classroom and were reminded that often the simple ideas are best!
Vicki Cotton - Sacred Heart Girls’ College, Hamilton

Vicki Cotton ©Vicki Cotton

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