Teachers, Teacher Education, and Professional Development
Before the Bologna Process was adopted in Hungary in 2006, teacher training colleges provided an eight semester program that certified teachers to teach all subjects in Grades 1 to 4 and the subject of their specialization in Grades 5 to 6. Teacher training in colleges consisted of two mandatory parallel sets of courses: education in the area of specialization and general teacher training. General teacher training consisted of coursework in pedagogy and psychology. The main topics included basic theories of pedagogy; theoretical and practical preparation for educational tasks; and skill development in planning, organizing, directing, and assessing teaching and learning. Training in psychology included psychology and interdisciplinary studies, and development of the personality of the teacher trainee. Students attending teacher training courses also took part in an eight to 10 week professional practice that included two types of teaching experiences: observing and teaching lessons with the guidance of a mentor teacher and individual teaching practice in two schools.
Following the adoption of the Bologna Process in 2006, lower primary teachers were required to have a bachelor’s degree, which can be earned in eight semesters at teacher training colleges that are independent institutions or parts of universities. In this system of teacher education, students take courses in their specialty subjects as well as in pedagogy and develop their teaching skills. In the last semester, students participate in a continuous eight to 10 week teaching practice. This type of teacher education ends with an in-classroom teaching examination and a state examination. Teachers who have earned a bachelor’s degree can teach all subjects in Grades 1 to 4, but teach only the subject of their specialization in Grades 5 to 6.
According to this system, teaching any subject at the upper elementary level requires a master’s degree. Following completion of a six semester bachelor’s degree, training at the master’s level focuses on pedagogical areas. Students receive training in methodology (subject pedagogy), general pedagogy, and psychology. In their final semester, students take part in a continuous teaching practice in an institution of their choice that involves observing, individual teaching, dealing with after school tasks, and attending related seminars. Teacher qualification at the master’s level allows teaching in Grades 5 to 12.
In 2013, teacher training courses became undivided again and last 10 or 12 semesters. The 8+2 semester training is for students who want to teach in elementary school, and the 10+2 semester training is for students who want to teach in secondary school. The +2 semesters are for professional teacher practice.