Basically what the title says.I wanna move to switzerland (and work there)after I graduate college and I heard learning the language is really important for integrating within the society. So if anyone can give me advice about where I could start learning the language I would be grateful.
https://i.redd.it/3vwkb7501yqd1.jpeg
Posted by Biruitorul_wyn
4 Comments
are you from the EU? https://www.ch.ch/en/foreign-nationals-in-switzerland/working-in-switzerland/#non-euefta-nationals
Most important advice: Learn regular German – not Swiss German.
Swiss German is essentially a very heavy dialect of regular German and speaking regular German is perfectly acceptable in Switzerland.
The first steps you could do with a language learning App like Duolingo or Babbel, but there are tons of language courses available throughout Switzerland.
As an expat, I strongly recommend learning German first and then maybe doing a Swiss German course. I’m not saying this particular course is not good, but as someone who had at first zero knowledge of German, I couldn’t imagine trying to learn Swiss German without knowing German first.
Depending on where you live, you can even get subsidised courses. [https://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/prd/en/index/urban-development/integration-office/german-courses/subsidised-german-courses.html](https://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/prd/en/index/urban-development/integration-office/german-courses/subsidised-german-courses.html)
Once you have a good handle on German, then you can move on to Swiss German. You’ll pick it up through daily use and if you wish to accelerate your learning, some language schools like Migros Klubschule offer Swiss German courses that are quite effective. [https://www.klubschule.ch/sprachen/deutschkurse/schweizerdeutsch/](https://www.klubschule.ch/sprachen/deutschkurse/schweizerdeutsch/)
I’ve been a fluent speaker for over 20 years now and doing it this way, learning German first and then Swiss German, greatly helped me. Of course, YMMV.
How good is your [Standard German](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_German)?
If your Standard German is not good, barely there, or non existent, do not even think about starting with Swiss German, it’s like learning Scots before learning English: A fun activity with limited usage.
Rather improve and learn Standard German. Can be any teacher, from Germany, Austria, or Switzerland. A teacher from Switzerland has the advantage to introduce you to Swiss Standard German and the local accent.