What were repetition courses for experienced teachers in early German teacher education?

In early German teacher education, "repetition courses" were specialized programs established by seminaries for experienced teachers. These courses were designed to provide teachers with opportunities to refresh their existing knowledge and acquire new information, serving as a form of in-service training.1

These courses were part of a broader, systematic approach to professional development in the German states, which included mandatory periodic meetings such as monthly parochial conferences, bimonthly district conferences, biannual circle conferences, and annual departmental conferences. Each seminary was responsible for maintaining professional contact with all teachers working within a six-mile radius, ensuring that educators remained connected to ongoing pedagogical advancements and standards.1