Job Shadowing in Erasmus+: What it is and how it works
Job shadowing is a funded mobility under Key Action 1 (KA1) of the Erasmus+ programme, aimed at European teachers and education staff. It lasts between 2 and 60 days and consists of a stay in a hosting organisation (e.g., a school) in another country to observe the work of professionals in the same field.
It is not about replacing a teacher or delivering your own lessons; instead, it is about learning through structured observation of a peer, the exchange of ideas, and the analysis of educational practices.
Who is Job Shadowing aimed at?
Job shadowing mobility in education is addressed to different profiles within a school:
- Pre-school, primary and secondary school teachers
- Vocational education and training (VET) teachers
- School principals
- Non-teaching staff working in schools (administrative staff, secretarial staff, teaching assistants, educational advisers, school psychologists, education inspectors, education policy coordinators and management staff working in the field of school education).
- Other experts linked to the education field
La condición esencial para poder participar en el Job Shadowing es que el participante esté vinculado formalmente al centro solicitante del programa Erasmus+ o que colabore regularmente con él.
What activities are carried out during job shadowing?
Job shadowing is delivered through a structured programme of professional observation and analysis in the host institution. Activities focus on understanding institutional organisation, pedagogical approaches and educational practices in the host country, with the aim of facilitating the transfer of good practices to the sending organisation.
Observation and transfer of good practices in international educational contexts
Comprehensive analysis of methodologies and inclusion in the classroom
Innovation and digital transformation in education
Teaching-learning dynamics and educational communication
Comparison of education systems and analysis of organisational models
Internationalisation and institutional cooperation
- Analysing teaching methodologies used in the classroom
- Observing the use of teaching and learning materials
- Studying teacher–student communication
- Analysing collaborative working dynamics
- Understanding how teaching–learning processes are organised in a different educational context
- Identifying practices that can be transferred to the sending organisation
- Observing support strategies for learners with diverse needs
- Analysing inclusive methodologies applied in real contexts
- Studying practices related to equity and equal opportunities
- Observing digital classrooms and technology-rich learning environments
- Exploring how learners’ digital competences are developed
- Analysing how technology is integrated into educational processes
- Taking part in professional exchange moments
- Comparing education systems
Overall, job shadowing is a professional development experience based on structured observation, professional analysis, and institutional exchange, designed to generate impact both for the participant and for their sending organisation.
Duration, timetable and organisation of the mobility
The concrete organisation of the mobility (timetable, daily planning and planned activities) is agreed by the hosting organisation in coordination with the sending organisation.
1-2 weeks
The most common duration of a job shadowing mobility in school education is usually one to two weeks. However, as set out in the Erasmus+ Programme Guide, this activity can last a minimum of 2 days and a maximum of 60 days, depending on the project objectives and the approved planning.
2 h minimum
In the case of Spanish schools, the usual timetable is mostly concentrated in the morning slot, generally between 09:00 and 15:00, although this may vary depending on the type of institution.
The mobility participant must spend at least 2 hours per day at the host centre.
During the stay, the participant is supported by a reference tutor in the host institution; therefore, their agenda is aligned with the timetable and activities of the teacher or department they are attached to.
Job Shadowing Certificates and recognition
Each National Agency has its own requirements regarding the documentation that Erasmus+ participants must submit. For this reason, we recommend reviewing each specific case: Agencias nacionales – Erasmus+
Training4All will adapt to the certificates and documentation required by each National Agency.
Linguistic competences needed for a job shadowing
The Erasmus+ programme does not set a mandatory minimum language level to participate in job shadowing. However, it is advisable for participants to be familiar with the language of the destination country.
Job shadowing funding
Job shadowing is part of an approved KA1 project and is funded through the budget categories set out in the Erasmus+ Programme Guide: Introducción – Erasmus+
The grant is awarded to the applicant/beneficiary organisation (the school/institution), not to the individual participant.
Funding may cover:
- Travel costs
- Individual support
- Organisational support
- Inclusion support and specific needs, where applicable