3 young people, all graduated at university, take part at the state examination programme (maybe similar to a traineeship in other countries?). in german it's called "Referendariat". They have to pass that 2nd examination, to be allowed to work in their teaching profession.
The film shows all the difficulties a young teacher must go through. Not only pupils who don't want to learn anything - this is somewhat normal, every teacher has to learn to handle. But the sometimes massive pressure the 3 chosen ones are getting through on their way though the examination - it's the first time a documentary delivers such a deep insight in the unknown world of german schools and teaching trainee system - which is very unique.
Anna, Ralf and Katja are being accompanied by director Jakob Schmidt's sensitive camera through all phases of this traineeship. The first teaching lesson, the first visit of a teachers instructor (trainees must show some well prepared lessons, and getting a feedback about their skills). The first talks to parents. The highs ansd lows in this job, and getting more and more professional - and in the end the 2nd state examination you have to pass to become a "real" teacher. A day no teacher in Germany will ever forget - once you made it, you are free....
SPOILER:
Katja and Ralf make it in the first try, but Anna - a nice and warm person, everybody would give his kid to her lessons - well, Anna is full of doubts, very skeptical about the school system. She tries to become better, in fact she takes some extra personal speech training, which is achtually quit funny. But she made some big mistakes during her "show lessons" - what a pity she wasn't permitted to take part at the examination. But as we learn in the films last scene, the 2nd (and last!) try to pass examination in a new school was succesfull. She deserved it!
A wonderful documentary shows the struggle to become a good teacher, the doubts, but also the warm and intense moments of getting into real relationships with the young and very young pupils. For a lot of trainees , the "Referendariat" is like a trip to hell and back - intense and unique. This is the first film showing it all, including the feedback talks with the teaching instructors. A must see for all german students of teaching profession. And a must see for everyone loving well-made, and intense documentaries. As DVD audio comment says, all 3 of them today are still teachers, loving their job.
A wonderful documentary shows the struggle to become a good teacher, the doubts, but also the warm and intense moments of getting into real relationships with the young and very young pupils. For a lot of trainees , the "Referendariat" is like a trip to hell and back - intense and unique. This is the first film showing it all, including the feedback talks with the teaching instructors. A must see for all german students of teaching profession. And a must see for everyone loving well-made, and intense documentaries. As DVD audio comment says, all 3 of them today are still teachers, loving their job.
