The Independent Academy For Free School Teaching

Overview:

The Independent Academy for Free School Teaching is a unique institution located on the southern coast of Funen, Denmark. Founded in 1949, it serves as a center for nurturing and developing Free School thinking and practice. The academy focuses on educating teachers for Free Schools, Folk High Schools, and Efterskole in Denmark. It is independent and free to determine its own values, pedagogy, curricula, staffing, and teaching programs.

Services Offered:

The academy offers a five-year residential course that goes beyond traditional subject matter and educational theory. Students are actively involved in democratic processes, gain insight into social dynamics, develop extra-curricular skills, and are challenged personally, socially, and didactically. The third year of the course is dedicated to teaching practice at a Free School, Efterskole, or Folk High School.

Student Life and Campus Experience:

The academy emphasizes a strong sense of community and shared living. 75% of students reside on campus, starting each day with a common morning assembly and sharing meals together. Students have access to various creative workshops and leisure activities, including music and sports.

Key Reasons to Study There:

Unique Focus:

The academy specializes in educating teachers for Danish Free Schools, Folk High Schools, and Efterskole.

Independent and Free:

The academy is independent and free to determine its own values, pedagogy, and programs.

Comprehensive Education:

Students receive a comprehensive education that goes beyond subject matter and includes social, democratic, and personal development.

Practical Experience:

The third year of the course is dedicated to teaching practice, providing valuable real-world experience.

Strong Community:

The academy fosters a strong sense of community through shared living, common activities, and a focus on social and democratic values.

Academic Programs:

The academy offers a five-year residential course that focuses on developing teaching skills and a deep understanding of the Danish Free School tradition. The curriculum includes:

• Subject matter expertise
• Educational theory
• Psychology, pedagogy, and didactics
• Philosophy, ethics, language, story-telling
• Democracy, citizenship, history, national and cultural identity
• The tradition and history of the Danish free schools

Other:

• All classes and courses are taught in Danish.
• Students must be able to speak, read, and write Danish at a higher education level.
• The academy emphasizes the importance of living together and incorporates this aspect into its daily life.
• The academy's pedagogical principles are rooted in the tradition of N.F.S. Grundtvig, emphasizing Life enlightenment alongside formal education.