Internship Sydney

The German Language internship provides an insight into the two language departments of the Goethe-Institut: the Educational Services Department and the Language Course Department.

The task of the Educational Services Department is to promote the teaching of German as a foreign language in primary and secondary schools in Australia. To this end, we work with Australian partners as well as with representatives of other European countries. We sit on committees, cooperate on projects, implement language policy, plan training courses, hold events, provide teaching materials, advise teachers, produce promotional material and provide information via the Internet.

The Language Course Department organises German courses for adults at all levels and in preparation for the final examination for secondary school students. We administer examinations recognized worldwide and organize the cultural program for our course participants in cooperation with other departments of the Institute. Our activities also include advising German learners on course and examination issues, preparing teaching and promotional materials, organizing training courses for the Institute's teachers, and representing the Institute at educational fairs.

As part of the German Education Cooperation Department, interns are given the opportunity to

• gain insight into the Australian school system
• to help design and implement activities for schools
• gain insight into the operation of language courses
• gain experience in preparing lessons
• to participate in and carry out accompanying activities for language course participants
• to take over organisational tasks and to carry them out independently
• To help plan and carry out promotional activities

Participation in

• Organising and carrying out events of the German educational cooperation, e.g. further education, conferences
• Preparation of teaching materials
• Information visits of school classes
• Organization of language course operations
• Organizing and carrying out events of the language department
• language advertising measures, e.g. through course brochures
• Information and telephone service for language work
• Creation of the newsletter for German teachers and course participants
• Information for the German educational cooperation
• General office work (recption duties)

We expect from our interns

• Interest in educational policy and pedagogical issues
• Willingness to work with students
• A strong interest in theoretical and practical aspects of DaF
• Willingness to work with German teachers and course participants
• Willingness to work independently
• willingness to do routine work
• Confidence in the use of Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Willingness to work flexible hours
• cross-departmental commitment
• proactive team player with can-do attitude
• valid with Working With Children Check (from Germany and Australia)

In cultural cooperation, the Goethe-Institut mediates dialogue, encounter and exchange between artists and scholars from Germany and Australia on developments and trends of essential importance. The cultural programs organized by the Goethe-Institut with its partners serve this purpose above all, but also informal encounters with artists and intellectuals from the country. The focus of our cultural programs is on contemporary culture from Germany.  

Within the framework of the cultural program we offer interns

• Insight into the conception and realization of German-Australian cultural cooperation
• assistance in the organizational preparation and implementation of the cultural program in the areas of word/literature, exhibitions, film & media, music, dance & theater
• If possible, delegation of individual tasks to be carried out largely independently

Participation in

• Establishing contacts with German and Australian companies regarding possible sponsorship contracts
• Cooperation in program coordination, e.g. editing of press releases, program brochures, writing of event texts
• Preparation and implementation of events
• Preparing and compiling materials and information for programs (e.g. monthly programs)
• Supervision of artists and speakers
• Public relations
• Information for the program area
• Updating of address cards
• Technical and organizational support before and after tours and events
• Translation work German-English
• General office work/telephone service (reception duties)

We expect from our interns

• Good knowledge of the German cultural scene
• Practical experience in the field of event organization, conception
• Confidence in using Word/Excel/word processing programs
• Willingness to do routine work
• Willingness to work flexible hours
• Interdepartmental commitment
• proactive team player with can-do attitude

At our Sydney location, you can currently apply for the following positions:
 








Please note: Unsolicited applications and applications by email will not be considered. Please use the online form.

In order to complete an internship at the Goethe-Institut Australia, the following conditions must be met:

• German citizenship and/or very good German language skills (native speaker level)
• very good written and spoken English
• started/completed university studies in cultural studies, humanities, economics, administration or information sciences, in the field of German as a foreign language or law
• At least three semesters of study
• Current enrollment during the internship

In order to be able to make decisions for an internship quickly and smoothly, we would like to ask you to fill out the adjacent online form in German.

Please note that due to the large number of applicants, only complete applications can be considered. In addition to the online application form, this includes the following documents as uploaded files:

• curriculum vitae in table form
• Certificate of enrollment, transcript of records or diploma from the university
• informative letter of evaluation (e.g. reference letter from a lecturer, certificate from previous internship)
• 'erweitertes Führungszeugnis' from Germany (can also be submitted later)

We recommend that you choose a department that is most relevant to your studies and professional development. You can find more information about the contents of the individual departments in the section "Areas and Activities".

Complete applications are automatically accepted into the application process without written confirmation from us. Please understand that processing may take a few weeks. If you are interested, we will contact you; we do not send out rejections.

As of January 1, 2017, the Goethe-Institut Australia will pay an expense allowance in the form of a travel allowance of 450€ per completed internship month. The money will be transferred to you as a one-time payment after completion of the internship.

If you receive additional support from another source (e.g. a scholarship), you are responsible for declaring the allowance paid by us there.

If you are entitled to a candidate's salary from an employment relationship with a German authority, the expense allowance does not apply.

Please clarify your health insurance coverage with your health insurance company in Germany before you start your internship. Please also check your accident insurance for the duration of your stay abroad.

Once you have received a commitment from us and confirmed the appointment, the next thing you need is a visa.

You will need to apply for any necessary visas, residence and work permits yourself and comply with visa regulations. The Goethe-Institut does not assist with the visa and entry process.
The easiest option is to apply for a Working Holiday Visa (WHV) online; this is usually quick and hassle-free. The prerequisite is that you are not older than 30 years. The visa can only be applied for once.

You can find more information about the visa at:

• https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder
• https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417

Please keep in mind that the housing markets in Sydney and Melbourne are among the most expensive in the world and apartments and rooms are often hard to find. We cannot guarantee accommodation.