So what is DNS?

DNS is an abbreviation for Det Nødvendige Seminarium, which in English means The Necessary Teacher Training College. DNS started in 1972 in Ulfborg, Denmark. Another 15 teacher training colleges, based on the DNS idea have since opened in Mozambique, Angola and Malawi.

DNS in Denmark has so far trained app. 500 teachers that are now all over the world, teaching, training, educating, managing and leading.

So why is it the Necessary Teacher Training College?

In the poor part of the world the situation is that 1 billion people live on less than 1 dollar a day... on average. Another billion live on less than 2 dollars a day … on average. One does not need degrees in statistics to know that this means poor schooling for the children. Then add that 7-8.000 people die of HIV/AIDS every 24 hours leaving thousands of children orphaned every 24 hours. In Zimbabwe alone 750.000 children are orphans.

Sub-Saharan Africa is the worst affected of all regions in the world by the HIV/AIDS epidemic with 35 million HIV positive people. We just have to be humans to understand that teaching of the children in poor countries cries out for our care.

Then again Denmark is one of the richest countries on earth, with one of the better educational systems. Nevertheless … out of a school generation of 300.000 children and youths you find 14.000 taken away from their families to be better cared for in institutions. 30-40 thousand have difficulties with their school, but still live with their families. Teachers quit because of the pressure to deliver orderly and appropriate teaching for the “normal” students - so they cannot properly deal with the difficult children.

In many places more and more children are abandoned or rejected by the traditional school system making it likely that they become involved in crimes, drugs and prostitution, resulting in a growing number of marginalized and lonely children and young people here in the rich part of the world.

Therefore extraordinary teachers who have heart and mind focused to help new generations to a better start … are necessary and in great need in every region of this world.

And indeed today you find DNS teachers all over our beautiful planet. In the rich and developed world teaching and reaching out to those with difficulties. In the poor and underdeveloped world reaching out for training primary school teachers.

We invite you to be part of DNS in Tvind for 4 years

4 years where you can train yourself to become a teacher – not only a teacher who can teach in the traditional school system, but a teacher who can teach wherever it is needed, and a teacher who teach the ones in need in the poor as in the rich parts of the world.

The 4 year programme at DNS is varied:

Year / Dates	Duration	Headline	Exams
1st Year		The International Field of Practice
Aug.1st	3 months	Preparations for the study travel to Asia and saving up period
Nov. 1st	4 months	Study trip to Asia: India, Vietnam and China
March 1st	2 months	Conclusion on the travel, presentations, preparing teaching practice and learning Danish
May 1st	3 months	Theatre production, learning Danish, studies and exam in Psychology + saving up period	Psychology
2nd Year		Teaching Practice in Denmark
Aug 1st	11 months	Practice at schools in Denmark and study weekends at DNS. Studies: Pedagogic and Didactics
July 1st	1 month	Studies and exams in 2 pedagogical subjects	Pedagogy and General Didactics
3rd Year		Your Masterpiece as a Teacher
Aug.1st	1 month	Study important questions of our world today and production of teaching materials
Sep 1st	1 months	Study 1st Major Subject: "Nature and Technique" or Math section 1
Oct + Nov	2 months	Do what you fond most right to do
Dec and Jan	2 months	Studies and exam in "Nature and Technique" or Math section 2	1 Major Subject
Feb 1st	1 month	Studies and exam in "Christianity, life enlightenment and citizenship"	Christianity, life enlightenment and citizenship"
March 1st	4 months	Final teaching practice project, study weekends for preparing Africa, learning Portuguese
July 1st	1 month	Africa preparations

4th Year

Contributing to development of education in Africa

Aug.-Jan.

6 months

Teaching practice in Mozambique, Angola or Malawi

Feb.-June

5 months

Studies and graduation - 1 big or 2 small major subjects, writing Bachelor paper + 3 weeks saving up

1 big or 2 small Major subjects Bachelor Paper

• The 1st year has an International Profile. International studies including a 4-month study trip to Asia, mixed with money earning, teambuilding and practical experiences.
  
• The 2nd, 3rd and 4th year has a combined teaching practise and study profile. Teaching practise at different levels, and in different schools and social institutions in Denmark, other European countries, in Africa - and the final year is Worldwide Teaching Practice – to teach any people, in any country, in any continent.
  
  Through the teaching practise you get a lot of knowledge and hands on experiences, plus you will learn about the society in which you are living. You will get to know your students, their families, their living conditions, and cultural background.
  
• Alongside with teaching practise you will have studies and pass exams in all the subjects demanded in the traditional teacher education. For example in Pedagogical subjects, psychology, creative subjects, art, drama, sport, language, math and science. Some subjects are compulsory whilst others can be chosen.
  

The life-style at the college expresses itself in common money and common time.
Earning the money for the education is part of the program, so there are no student debts for you when you finish.

The common language at the college is English. The teaching uses a wide range of methods and products - the investigation, the report, the exhibition, the public speech, the PC-network with studies readily at hand for every student, the practice with as much responsibility as you can shoulder. Your teacher is your professional teacher, your travel companion, lecturer and mentor as you progress in this varied, exciting, and always challenging education.

Next team starts on the 1st of August.

Contact us! 

DNS International Teacher Training College
Skorkærvej 8,
6990 Ulfborg,
Denmark

Tel. + 45 97 49 10 13
Fax +45 97 49 22 09

E-mail: info@dns-tvind.dk

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