Arriving in Zurich often brings an unexpected challenge: you might have already been diligently studying German, or you arrived with the firm intention of learning it here. However, in daily life, you quickly notice that everyone speaks Swiss German.
Suddenly, it feels as if you have to master two languages at the same time to succeed both professionally and personally. What is the best path forward?
Our recommendation: focus on one language first.
The good news is that both languages are closely related. By starting with one, you automatically build a strong foundation for the other.
Which Course Fits Your Goals?
Swiss German
is the standard spoken language in German-speaking Switzerland.
is also used on Swiss television and radio.
is what Zurich children speak on the school playground.
is the written language used in advertising and chat messages.
Choose Swiss German if …
you want to understand people effortlessly in daily life (while shopping, in cafés).
you want to build personal connections and friendships with locals from Zurich.
your primary focus is on integrating socially into life in Zurich.
Can you actually learn Swiss German?
Yes, absolutely! Swiss German has its own grammar and vocabulary, but it is no harder to learn than any other European language.
Does High German help as a foundation?
Yes! The better your High German skills, the faster you will learn the dialect. Around 80% of your High German knowledge directly supports your learning.
To ensure you learn at the right pace, we organize our Swiss German groups based on the participants’ prior knowledge of High German.
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.”
High German
is the official written language in German-speaking Switzerland.
is the language of all newspapers, books and films.
is the official language of instruction for children in schools.
is universally understood, though locals generally prefer not to speak it.
Choose High German if …
you need an official language for reading and writing in your profession.
you are aiming for an official language certificate.
you want to use the language in Germany and Austria as well.
Important for your official permits: To obtain a permanent residence permit (C-Permit) or Swiss citizenship in the Canton of Zurich, you need an official High German certificate (A2/B1). For visa extensions for non-EU/EFTA (third-country) nationals who are currently unemployed, an A1 certificate is required.
German Special
Can’t make up your mind? Then our German Special is the perfect solution for you:
The Core: You learn standard High German during the main part of the class.
The Twist: In the final 10 minutes of every lesson, you hear the words and sentences you just learned translated into Swiss German.
The Practice: You practice real-world communication—the teacher speaks Swiss German, and you respond in High German.
