The Textiles and Art Association's needlework teacher training program lasts two years, plus one year of work shadowing and internships. The first two years can be completed as weekly training or block training, with weekly training consisting of four lessons per week and block training consisting of 12 blocks of four days each. This is supplemented by approximately six hours of self-study per week.

The continuing education, further training to become a needlework teacher aims to provide pedagogical and methodological-didactic training to become a specialist teacher in needlework lessons at Waldorf schools and Rudolf Steiner schools in order to support children in their general learning steps and to show them the way from play to work.

The total costs for the needlework teacher training or continuing education, further training amount to around CHF 10,400. These costs include the training costs, the registration fee, the materials, a dyeing course and the examination and diploma costs.

The prerequisite for the needlework teacher training is a high school diploma or a vocational qualification. In addition, an interest in working with pupils, good manual skills, knowledge of textile cultural techniques and enjoyment of textile work are required. To be on the safe side, check with the providers.

The topics covered in the needlework teacher training course include working on the infinite thread with knitting and crocheting, designing and painting, embroidery and painting, materials science on wool processing, silk and linen, drawing animals, making patterns, dolls, slippers, hand sewing, machine sewing and theater with design work and creation. Topics such as anthroposophical pedagogy, geometry, sensory theory, temperaments, drawing shapes and promoting sensory perception are also covered.

After completing the needlework teacher training or continuing education, further training, graduates are authorized to teach the subject of needlework / textile design for grades 1 to 8 at Rudolf Steiner schools.

The following topics are covered during the handwork teacher training at the Textiles and Art Association: Knitting and the importance of training the hands; crocheting and the development of side dominance; designing and painting; the secret of art; anthroposophical pedagogy; materials science: wool processing, linen and silk; promoting sensory perception; embroidery and painting; form drawing; drawing animals in the landscape; making patterns and designing animals as well as the earth's climate zones; footwear; machine and hand sewing as well as geometry and sensory teaching.

The total training costs for the handicraft teacher training / continuing education, further training at the Textile and Art Association, including tuition costs, registration fee, diploma and examination costs as well as the dyeing course, amount to CHF 10,400 for studies starting until 2019. Please enquire about training costs for studies starting at a later date directly with the training provider using the contact form.

The needlework teacher training can be completed as a weekly course or as a block course. In the case of a weekly course, you attend lessons once a week (4 lessons each) as well as a weekend. In addition, there are around 10 hours a week for self-study and homework. In the block course, there are 12 block courses of four days each, spread over approximately two years.

In addition to an upper-secondary level qualification, participants in needlework teacher training or continuing education, further training are expected to have a good basic knowledge of textile techniques.

In the course of continuing education, further training to become a needlework teacher at the Textiles and Art Association, participants create work folders and portfolios which, together with a partial lesson presentation, form the conclusion of the lessons. In the third year of the course, the participants carry out school internships and work shadowing and write a diploma thesis, which consists of a practical part, a presentation and a written paper.

The needlework teacher training (specialist training in needlework) lasts two years and is part-time. Afterwards, students work independently on their diploma thesis and take part in compulsory internships and work shadowing.