Opportunities database

Exciting way for UK children learning German at primary school and their counterparts in Germany learning English at Grundschule to join up for a short-term bilateral project. The Bears arrive in the form of real soft toys, and come with a suitcase of easy to use materials designed to introduce young pupils to learning some basic German and interesting facts about Germany.

eTwinning is the European Union's eLearning platform which enables schools to get together virtually with partner schools in other European countries to carry out joint projects, exchange information and share learning materials.

Both adults and pupils are encouraged to enter the Stephen Spender Prize 2012.

They can choose a poem from any language and translate this into English. Each entry must comprise the translation, the original poem and a commentary.

The winner will receive a cash prize. Selected winning entries will be published in The Times and all winning entries published in a booklet.

UK schools are invited to host a qualified teacher from Germany in their school in the autumn or spring term for 2 or 3 weeks, at no cost to them. They do not need to be teaching German in order to participate, and all teachers hosted will have a good level of English.

Benefits include enhancing the international dimension in your school, an opportunity to discuss current educational issues with a colleague from Germany, and the potential for development of a partnership.

Support for initial and in-service training through providing training bursaries for teachers, trainee teachers and other school staff. Grants are available for staff involved in school education to attend training courses for between one and four weeks in participating European countries or to undertake a job shadowing activity with a partner school.

There are three deadlines per year: 16 January, 30 April and 17 September.

The Primary Languages Classroom Awards celebrate the exceptional work of teachers throughout the UK in promoting language development at primary level. The awards are judged independently by a panel of professional educational and language experts, including classroom teachers and headteachers. Entries will open in the autumn term 2012.

Multilateral partnerships are cross-curricular projects that involve at least three schools or colleges from at least three European countries. They enable staff and students in the UK to work together with partners in other Comenius eligible countries for the duration of the two year partnership.

This programme offers local authorities the chance to partner with a region in Germany to improve their educational offer to young people, motivate local authority staff and teachers by exchanging best practice and promoting cooperation.

They can include schools and other players linked to education (eg teacher training, youth groups, vocational educators, community organisations and employers). Funding is available for meetings, work shadowing and other activities over a two-year partnership.

Group leadership on a 2 week language and culture course in Germany for GCSE / A-level students (all expenses paid). This is an opportunity for professional development both with regard to German language and culture, and leadership skills.

The European Voluntary Service (EVS) provides young Europeans with the unique chance to express their personal commitment through unpaid and full-time voluntary activities in a foreign country within or outside the EU.

International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) offers short-term vocational training for 2 to 3 months in the summer. Placements are available in industrial and commercial organisations, research institutes, local government bodies, state enterprises, consultancies, laboratories and academic institutions. Aims to foster the exchange of technical knowledge and help to globalise tomorrow's workforce of scientists and engineers.

Europe-wide network of organisations giving young people access to information on opportunities to work, study, travel and volunteer abroad, as well as European funding.

Leonardo supports national training strategies through funding a range of transnational partnership projects aimed at improving quality, fostering innovation and promoting the European dimension in vocational training.