Staatlich geprüfter Atem-, Sprech- und Stimmlehrer/Staatlich geprüfte Atem-, Sprech- und Stimmlehrerin

Atem-, Sprech- und Stimmlehrer/innen (Breath, Speech, and Voice Teachers) are trained in a school-based format. Learning locations include vocational schools (Berufsfachschule) for classroom instruction and practical training sites. Practical training sites are treatment rooms, for example, in speech, voice, and breath therapy practices, as well as rehabilitation and health centers.

This is a vocational training (Ausbildung) profession. The training is school-based at vocational schools (Berufsfachschule), regulated by state (Bundesland) law, and lasts 3 years. Learning locations are vocational schools and practical training sites. Breath, Speech, and Voice Teachers work in medical-therapeutic, preventive, or pedagogical fields. They treat patients with disorders of the respiratory tract, vocal organs, speech organs, or language development. They collect findings, advise patients and their relatives on treatment options and supportive exercises, plan therapeutic measures, implement them, and evaluate their effectiveness. Depending on the type of disorder, they conduct voice, speech, language, and swallowing treatments, usually based on medical prescriptions. Preventively, they contribute to occupational and individual health promotion by, for example, training people whose voices are heavily strained due to their profession, implementing supportive measures for children, people with disabilities, and in geriatrics.

The job title is Atem-, Sprech- und Stimmlehrer/in. It is a vocational school (Berufsfachschule) profession. The training duration is 3 years. The usual entry requirement is a secondary school leaving certificate (mittlerer Bildungsabschluss). Breath, Speech, and Voice Teachers work in medical-therapeutic, preventive, or pedagogical fields. They treat patients with disorders of the respiratory tract, vocal organs, speech organs, or language development. They collect findings, advise patients and their relatives on treatment options and supportive exercises, plan therapeutic measures, implement them, and evaluate their effectiveness. Depending on the type of disorder, they conduct voice, speech, language, and swallowing treatments, usually based on medical prescriptions. Preventively, they contribute to occupational and individual health promotion by, for example, training people whose voices are heavily strained due to their profession, implementing supportive measures for children, people with disabilities, and in geriatrics.

3 years

An entrance examination is usually conducted. This may require demonstrating good vocal qualities and basic knowledge of playing an accompanying instrument.

Example of hourly distribution: Profession-related learning area - Theory: Pedagogy/Special Education, Psychology, Speech Impairment Pedagogy, Music Theory, Phoniatrics/Pediatric Audiology, Professional and Legal Studies: 26 total weekly hours over the three-year course. Breath and Voice Therapy, Breath and Speech Therapy, Breath and Movement Therapy: 19.5 total weekly hours over the three-year course. Medical Fundamentals: 12 total weekly hours over the three-year course. Profession-related learning area - Practice: Breath and Voice Therapy, Breath and Speech Therapy, Breath and Movement Therapy: 15 total weekly hours over the three-year course. Teaching demonstrations in training, instrumental playing, choir/choral voice training, rhythmics: 12.5 total weekly hours over the three-year course. Total hours: at least 66 total weekly hours over the three-year course. Additionally, a six-month internship must be completed.

Ausbildung (vocational training) at public schools is generally free for students, but admission and examination fees may apply. Private schools, on the other hand, usually charge course fees. Additional costs may also arise, for example, for learning materials, professional clothing, travel to the training institution, or external accommodation. Under certain conditions, students participating in vocational training can receive funding according to the Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz (BAföG). For more information, please refer to BAföG.

During theoretical and practical lessons, one acquires knowledge in the following areas, for example: Breathing, speech, and voice instruction, medical fundamentals, elocution and singing, perception and identity, communication and relationships, teaching and coaching, voice therapy, breathing therapy, language therapy, speech therapy, swallowing therapy, creative guidance, profession and documentation. During internships, theoretical content is implemented and applied in practical and treatment rooms. Students gain insight into various work areas, conduct their own therapy and teaching trials under supervision, and observe holiday, further education, and information courses held at the school.

One should be prepared for the following conditions and requirements: In theoretical lessons: Classroom instruction, possibly project work, and reviewing content at home. In the school's own practice rooms and during internships: Practical participation (under guidance): Recognizing breathing, voice, speech, language, hearing, and swallowing disorders, planning therapeutic measures, guiding patients or clients in breathing, speech, and voice exercises. Environment: Practice rooms, treatment rooms, office rooms. Requirements: Accuracy of observation and pedagogical skills (e.g., for diagnosing support needs, guiding and motivating patients), communication skills and empathy (e.g., when explaining therapy plans, for recognizing the wishes and needs of patients), willingness to make contact (e.g., for approaching new patients/clients constantly), perseverance (e.g., in lengthy therapies).

No remuneration is paid for this Ausbildung (vocational training).

In-depth knowledge in the following school subjects are good prerequisites for successful Ausbildung (vocational training): Music (e.g., to use piano playing and music theory in therapy), German (e.g., to develop concepts for speech exercises), Biology (e.g., to understand the functioning of speech and breathing organs), Pedagogy (e.g., to educate and motivate patients).

The following Ausbildung (vocational training) alternatives are available for the profession of Atem-, Sprech- und Stimmlehrer/in (Breathing, Speech, and Voice Teacher): Therapy area (non-medical): Logopäde/Logopädin (Speech Therapist) and Ergotherapeut/Ergotherapeutin (Occupational Therapist). Commonality: Guiding patients in therapeutic exercises.

In 1916, school-based Ausbildung (vocational training) according to the Schlaffhorst-Andersen principle first began in Hessen. In 1982, the Ausbildung received state recognition in the Bundesland (federal state) of Niedersachsen. In 1997, a framework agreement for Berufsfachschulen (vocational schools) was established by the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK). In 2000, regulations for vocational training and examinations were set in Niedersachsen based on this framework agreement.

Atem-, Sprech- und Stimmlehrer/in (Breath, Speech, and Voice Teacher) is a school-based Ausbildung (vocational training) regulated by state law at Berufsfachschulen (vocational schools). It lasts three years and concludes with a state examination.

This Ausbildung (vocational training) is legally regulated only in the specified Bundesland (federal state) and leads to the following qualification: Niedersachsen: Staatlich geprüfter Atem-, Sprech- und Stimmlehrer/Staatlich geprüfte Atem-, Sprech- und Stimmlehrerin (State-Certified Breath, Speech, and Voice Teacher).

3 years

After their Ausbildung (vocational training), Atem-, Sprech- und Stimmlehrer/innen (Breath, Speech, and Voice Teachers) primarily work in speech, voice, and breath therapy practices, early intervention and special education facilities, phoniatric and ENT departments of clinics, as well as in the practices of specialists for ear, nose, and throat medicine or for phoniatrics and pediatric audiology. They can keep their specialized knowledge current or update it through adaptive Weiterbildung (further training). The range of topics extends from breath therapy to health promotion. To advance professionally and reach leadership positions, one can pursue an Aufstiegsweiterbildung (career advancement training). It is logical to take the examination as a Fachwirt/in (specialist) in the health and social services sector. With a Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (university entrance qualification), one can also pursue a Studium (university degree) and, for example, obtain a Bachelor's degree in speech therapy or language therapy. There is also the possibility of self-employment.

During theoretical and practical lessons, knowledge is imparted in the following areas: Profession-related learning area - Theory: Pedagogy/Special Pedagogy, Psychology, Speech Impairment Pedagogy, Music Theory, Phoniatrics/Pediatric Audiology, Professional and Legal Studies, Breath and Voice Therapy, Breath and Speech Therapy, Breath and Movement Therapy, Medical Fundamentals. Profession-related learning area - Practice: Breath and Voice Therapy, Breath and Speech Therapy, Breath and Movement Therapy, Teaching demonstrations in the field of training, Instrumental playing, Choir/Choral Voice Training, Rhythmics. Praktikum (internship): An additional Praktikum must be completed during the Ausbildung at the Berufsfachschule (vocational school). This serves to apply the knowledge acquired during the Ausbildung and to gain practical skills.

Regulations at the federal level for this vocational training (Ausbildung) are based on the Framework Agreement on Vocational Schools (Berufsfachschulen) (resolution of the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs from 17.10.2013, as amended on 21.03.2024). This framework agreement is not directly applicable law. Each federal state (Bundesland) regulates vocational school training in its own school or vocational school regulations based on this framework agreement. The training is regulated by state law in the following federal state: Ordinance on Vocational Schools (BbS-VO) of 10.06.2009 (Nds. GVBl. S. 243), last amended by ordinance of 26.05.2025 (Nds. GVBl. Nr. 34). In the following federal states, there are no state-level legal regulations: Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringia.

A secondary school leaving certificate (mittlerer Bildungsabschluss) is required. Proof of measles protection is necessary for practical training (Ausbildung) in community and medical facilities. Furthermore, institutions may require additional vaccinations (e.g., against Hepatitis A and B) or corresponding immunity certificates. Further requirements may exist depending on the educational offering.

Educational background: Sekundarabschluss I - Realschulabschluss (secondary school leaving certificate). Further requirements: An assessment procedure conducted by the school confirming good vocal qualities, no hearing or speech disorders, and basic knowledge of playing at least one accompanying instrument. Additionally, an ENT doctor's certificate regarding the presence of vocal, hearing, or speech disorders is required: a phoniatric report, a stroboscopic finding, and the result of a hearing test.