Is Pedagogical Ethos Teachable and Learnable? The Development of a Didactic-Methodical Approach for the Practice of Ethos in Teacher Education

This paper argues that ethos is one the most important elements that needs to be established in the ideas of professional teachers. According to common opinion, good teachers are not only characterized by great knowledge, by a sophisticated methodology or by successful classroom management. They should not only do a correct job, but also show an attitude, embody it, act as a role model, and act quickly in challenging situations, making the right decisions and always taking responsibility for their students. They need to develop a pedagogical ethos. This paper presents a concept that is already being used in teacher training which enables prospective teachers to get in touch with their own pedagogical ethos. In a specially developed didactic setting, student teachers are confronted with challenging pedagogical situations. Through repeated exposure to this setting, the effect of practicing pedagogical ethos should become set in the teachers-in-training.