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.

1. Special Education in Germany
Sebastian Kunze
Metropolitan College of New York
Global Careers

2. Do Now
Write down 3 things you know (or THINK you
know) about Germany.

3. What continent is my country on?

4. Europe

5. Germany
There are over 1,000 kinds of sausages in
Germany.
Germany has over 400 zoos, the most in the
world.
Gummy bears were invented by a German.

6. Wir essen!
Brezel
Sauerbraten with Knödel (Dumplings)
and Rotkohl (Red Cabbage)
Bratwurst
Oktoberfest

7. Christmas in Germany

8. Silvester (New Year‘s Eve)
…. in Berlin
…at home

9. Karneval

10. Berlin
Bavaria

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?

12. Dülmen
Population: about
48,000
Region: Münsterland
Famous animals:
Duelmen Pony

13. My family
… a visit in New York
… Vienna in May

14. My family
… a trip to London with my father

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?