Our stance

So far, I haven’t had any burnout: I think it has to do with the Freinet pedagogy. I’m allowed to implement as much of it as is good for me. I don’t have to turn everything upside down, but can start with small steps. Once you have learned to walk like this, you can soon hop and then make big leaps – without falling from all clouds, but always arriving well in reality without suffering any damage. I feel neither overwhelmed nor underchallenged, and that is infinitely good for me.

Petra V. from Bavaria

Our topics at a glance

Experience education in a new way. Your attitude counts.
In Freinet pedagogy, our view of our own attitude is the key to pedagogical practice. The Freinet pedagogues in our association talk about their attitude in this way: I look at the learners and take note of what they can do and bring to the table. This is how I discover and consolidate my understanding of learning. As a Freinet teacher, I am always also a learner. By allowing a variety of paths and methods, a completely new learning process is created. This strengthens the self-esteem and self-confidence of the learners. I experience the feeling of self-efficacy by opening up the learning spaces. As a Freinet educator, I am allowed to be who I am. I perceive my environment and my surroundings. I find meaning in what I do. I am allowed to explore new paths, rethink my role, try things out, reflect, discard and collect new “treasures”. I experience joy and satisfaction in my job by examining my attitude and constantly reflecting on myself.
For me, there is nothing more valuable in my everyday pedagogical work than seeing children and young people surpass themselves and develop their potential. Knowing that our attitude and the educational framework we offer play a significant part in this success is not only wonderful, but also incredibly fulfilling and meaningful.
Tina L. from Issum

Your practice booster

Fill your pedagogical toolbox with the diverse tools of Freinet pedagogy.

In our two-year further training as a specialist for Freinet pedagogy “Eagles do not climb stairs” you will gain confidence for situational work in everyday life. Here you will try out the diverse, everyday methods of Freinet pedagogy for yourself and combine them with theoretical principles. You will get to know like-minded people who create a basis for lifelong learning in an open, respectful and appreciative way. The experiences you gain from the training can be seamlessly transferred to your everyday Freinet pedagogical daycare, school or university life.

As a Freinet pedagogue, you and your individual personality invited to contribute your ideas and your attitude. This creates a direct connection to your actions in the real world. You will be able to practice with joy and without fear – right from the start. Through regular self-reflection, you will become aware of even the smallest learning successes of your learners. You are a direct eyewitness to your effectiveness.

My creativity in overcoming the learning challenges of everyday life has increased enormously as a result of further training. I have internalized the courage to dissolve the separation between school and the outside world.

Franz S. from Hamburg

The power of community

Find out how you can use your attitude to turn difficulties in everyday learning into joy.

With Freinet’s pedagogy, we experience the power of community in the learning group and benefit from living democracy. Freinet’s ideas are timeless and at the same time highly topical. They become our pedagogical home. Many challenges dissolve by themselves thanks to your democratic attitude.

It’s great that you can share this feeling and your experiences with like-minded educators in our association.

Through Freinet’s pedagogy, I have rediscovered the joy of learning, where the reality of teaching at a comprehensive school had made it very difficult for me at times. I always look closely at where a spark of enthusiasm can be ignited during learning.

Ulrike W. from Recklinghausen

Our stance

Be who you are and experience self-efficacy.

Discover in our checklist how your changed attitude can change your everyday teaching:

Checklist for our attitude as Freinet educators

  • at eye level
  • authentic
  • encountering
  • inspiring
  • democratic
  • inviting
  • Giving space
  • Giving joy
  • heartwarming
  • Showing interest
  • informing
  • intrinsically motivated
  • Developing consensus
  • Creating proximity
  • Open to new ideas
  • participating
  • trend-setting
  • networking
  • Communicating appreciatively

Your options

Open up spaces and take everyone with you.

Freinet pedagogy provides you with a variety of methods for your everyday life. By constantly looking at your attitude, you will experience how doors and new paths open up for you. Click on the button to discover your possibilities on the path to Freinet pedagogy.

Your options
Forschend-entdeckendes Lernen in einer elsässischen Freinet-Klasse – Momentaufnahme aus dem Medienpaket „Lehrer/innen verändern die Schule“, Foto: Jochen Zülch

On the trail of our trailblazers

Our attitude is also shaped by the practice of earlier generations of teachers in the Freinet movement.

The media package on Freinet pedagogy compiled by Martin Zülch consists of:

  • a five-part film report that was recorded in 1975/76 and provides vivid insights into the teaching of three Alsatian Freinet teachers,
  • a photo-text book that was first published in 1977 under the title "Teachers and pupils change the school",
  • as well as 27 display boards on the Freinet pedagogical concept, which were created in 1975/76.

The documentation, which has now been digitized, is not only of historical value. It can be obtained free of charge from the Bielefeld University Archive. You can find everything you need to know in the summarizing PDF.

Information on the media package

Would you like to know more about our topics?

Lifelong learning
Free expression

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