Special Education in Germany

Sebastian Kunze

Metropolitan College of New York

Global Careers

Do Now

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

What continent is my country on?

Europe

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.

Wir essen!

Sauerbraten with Knödel (Dumplings)

and Rotkohl (Red Cabbage)

Brezel

Bratwurst Oktoberfest

Christmas in Germany

Silvester (New Year‘s Eve)

…at home

…. in Berlin

Karneval

Berlin

Bavaria

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?

Dülmen

Population: about

48,000

Region: Münsterland

Famous animals:

Duelmen Pony

My family

… a visit in New York … Vienna in May

My family

… a trip to London with my father

My Career Path

Gymnasium = High School

Voluntary “Social Year”

Worked with adults with

disabilities

At university now studying

special education

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?

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.

Blindfold Challenge1. Divide the class into Eins (1) and Zwei (2).2. In your native language, Eins teach your

partner how to say:FRONTBACKRIGHTLEFT

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!

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?