German American Teacher Exchange Program

The German American Teacher Exchange (GATE) program is designed for U.S. high school teachers of German who are interested in deepening their professional practice through international exchange. Participants complete a two-week school observation at a partner school in Germany and, in turn, host a partner teacher from Germany at their own school in the United States.

Through structured observation, facilitated exchange, and guided reflection, participants gain new pedagogical perspectives, strengthen intercultural competence, and develop ideas they can bring back to their own classrooms. A joint team from the Goethe-Institut in the United States and Germany supports the program and fosters sustained transatlantic collaboration among participating educators.

The project includes the following components:

• A two-week reciprocal school observation at partner schools in the United States and North Rhine-Westphalia
• Facilitated professional exchange with host teachers and schools
• Preparatory and follow-up sessions 
• An in-person cohort meeting in the United States while participant's parnter teachers are visiting

• Gain firsthand insight into classroom practice and school culture in Germany
• Engage in sustained professional dialogue with German and U.S. colleagues
• Develop new pedagogical perspectives and ideas to strengthen German and English language teaching through transatlantic exchange

Schedule

Application deadline: February 27, 2026
Selection and matching process: March-May 2026
Preparatory meetings (virtual): Spring/Summer 2026
Two-week school observation in the United States (NRW teachers): Fall 2026
Two-week school observation in Germany (U.S. teachers): Spring/Summer 2027

Program Components:

During the exchange, participants engage in a flexible school observation at their host schools and take part in professional exchange activities with colleagues. The observation period may include classroom observations, meetings with school leadership and teaching staff, and opportunities for reflection and professional dialogue. Preparatory, in-person, and follow-up sessions facilitated by the Goethe-Institut and the Ministy of Education NRW support participants throughout the process.

Eligibility & Requirements for U.S. Participants:

• Be a current high school teacher of German in the United States. Preference for this year will be shown to teachers located in a school within Eastern time zone, but all applications will be considered. 
• Demonstrate sufficient German language proficiency to engage in professional exchange and classroom observation
• Be able to travel internationally for the full duration of the exchange
• Be willing and able to host a partner teacher from Germany, who teaches English, at their U.S. school
• Commit to participating in preparatory and follow-up meetings
• Be willing to share insights and outcomes from the exchange with colleagues after participation

• Accommodation: the program expects each teacher to host their partner teacher during their 2-week observation period. Should this not be fesible, the participating teacher should help to find arrangements with another willing teacher, school administrator, or community member. 
• Travel: the Goethe-Institut will provide a travel stipend to cover the costs of travel associated with U.S. participants' 2-week observation period in Germany.
• In-person meeting in the United States during the 2-week observation period of NRW colleagues.

Ministry of Schools and Education of North Rhine-Westphalia and Düsseldorf District Government

Do you have questions? Contact the GATE Team at teacherservice-usa@goethe.de.