Shall I learn German or Swiss German?
Most people who come to Zurich are confronted with a new language: High German. They start to learn this language, but realize that people here speak differently again in everyday life: Swiss German. Whoever wants to integrate here would therefore need to learn two languages at the same time.
We recommend not to learn both languages at the same time, but to concentrate on one language first.
If you decide to learn High German, you can very well learn additional Swiss German at a later stage. 80% of what you will have learned for High German will help you to learn Swiss German faster.
Should you choose Swiss German, you will be able to learn High German faster at a later time.
Swiss German
is spoken by all social classes in everyday and official situations.
is primarily an oral language.
is often spoken on Swiss television and radio.
is often used in writing for advertising and personal communications.
Learn Swiss German if …
if you want to understand the people in everyday life
if you want to maintain private contact with Zurich residents
if your focus is on integrating in Zurich.
Student voice: “At a dinner with friends or a parents’ meeting at my daughter’s school, for example, I’m the only one who doesn’t understand Swiss German. Then everyone switches to High German out of politeness. That is difficult for me. I told myself I have to learn Zurich German so that everyone doesn’t have to switch languages because of just one person.”
Can you learn Zurich German? Yes, because …
Swiss German has its own grammar and vocabulary.
Swiss German is as easy or as difficult to learn as any other European language.
Does it help if I already have a knowledge of High German?
Yes, because Swiss German and High German are closely related.
The better your knowledge of High German, the faster you will learn Zurich German.
We organize our Swiss German groups according to the participants’ High German skills and offer Swiss German courses at a faster or double pace accordingly.
High German
is the written language in German-speaking Switzerland.
is the language of all newspapers, books and films.
is learned by Swiss children at school.
is understood by all German-speaking Swiss and is spoken, even if reluctantly.
You should learn High German …
if you want to learn an official language for reading and writing.
if you want to take an official certificate.
if you want to use the language in both Germany and Austria.
If you are seeking a C permit/settlement in Switzerland or a Swiss passport, you will have to pass an examination in High German (A2/B1).
For the extension of residence for unemployed persons from third countries you need the A1 certificate in High German.
German Special
Would you like to learn High German, but also understand a little Swiss German at the same time?
The “German Special” is a German course in which you also learn to understand a little Swiss German.
You will learn German, but in the last 10 minutes of the lesson you will hear the most important vocabulary and phrases you just learned in German in Swiss German.
During these 10 minutes, you will practice responding in German while your teacher addresses you in Swiss German.
