Swiss German: Course and provider overview

Swiss German is not a standardized written language, but a collective term for various Alemannic dialects spoken in German-speaking Switzerland. The spelling is not officially regulated and can vary greatly depending on the region, context and personal style.

There are two common approaches to writing Swiss German in Switzerland:

• Phonetic spelling:
  This is based on the actual pronunciation of Swiss German in Switzerland and reflects the regional dialect as faithfully as possible. It is often used in private communication, on social media or in dialect literature.
• Based on High German:
  The aim here is to stay as close as possible to standard German spelling in order to increase readability - especially in official or semi-formal texts such as advertising messages, song lyrics or plays.

As there are no fixed rules for the spelling of Swiss German in Switzerland, there is a lot of room for interpretation. Spelling can also vary within the same region. The only thing that is standardized is a certain basic vocabulary that is widely understood in everyday life.

Important: Each school decides for itself whether and how Swiss German is discussed or written down in lessons in Switzerland. If you have any questions, please contact the relevant school directly. A question can easily be forwarded to the desired school using our contact form.

The duration of such a language course depends greatly on the language school or provider. For example, you can attend short introductory courses in which you learn the most important words and expressions you need to find your way around Switzerland in one or two evenings. Such a Swiss German course is particularly suitable for people who are planning to move to Switzerland, or who have only been in Switzerland for a short time and can hardly understand anything their superiors, colleagues, salespeople or neighbors say. Courses that extend over a longer period of time are suitable for anyone who wants to get to grips with the regional dialect and learn it like any other foreign language. This could be a six-month Swiss German course, for example, in which you take part once a week for 1 or 2 lessons. You decide for yourself how long and how intensively you would like to learn "Schwizerdütsch, Schwiizertüütsch".

People are interested in learning Swiss German for a variety of reasons, as a survey by Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch shows:

• 81.25 % Needs assessment - does the course meet my needs?
• 6.25 % as it is mentioned in job offers and therefore required for my jobs
• 12.5 % on the basis of a recommendation

Further aspects were submitted to us via free text:

• Naturalization
• Private matter
• Because I moved to Switzerland
• I live in Switzerland and would therefore also like to learn the dialect
• I am looking for the course for a teenager who wants to speak better

There are some language schools where it is possible for you to attend a free trial lesson so that you can be sure that the time and money you invest in a "Learn Swiss German" course will actually be worthwhile. Often, however, the schools do not state this in their description, so it's well worth asking in more detail. Simply use our contact form so that you can clarify this point and have all the necessary course materials sent to you at the same time - free of charge and without any obligation on your part, of course.

According to the survey conducted by our education portal, schools are requested for Swiss German courses for various reasons: 50 % justify this with an online assessment. 29% because of a school they already know and 21% because of a recommendation. Other voluntary answers were also given:

• I searched for it on the Internet
• just like that
• Internet
• Google

Swiss German can be quite a challenge for people from abroad or from other German-speaking regions. It is not a uniform language, but rather a multitude of dialects that vary greatly depending on the region.

Important points for learning Swiss German at a glance:

• Many dialects: There is no one Swiss German in Switzerland. Every canton and often even every village speaks its own variant.
• Big differences: Anyone who has become accustomed to the dialect from Zurich may not understand Bernese German or Valais German straight away.
• Not a standard language: Swiss German is not a written standard language. High German is usually used in official and school contexts.
• Quick acclimatization possible: Those who regularly deal with Swiss German generally get used to it more quickly. Language courses, media consumption or exchanges with native speakers help with understanding.

To summarize: Swiss German is difficult for many people at the beginning, but with a little practice it is easy to learn - especially in everyday life or as part of a course in Switzerland.

Important: Each school or educational institution can determine individually whether and to what extent Swiss German is used in lessons or in everyday school life. For binding information on a specific school, please use our contact form, which can be used to forward the question directly to the desired school.

A Swiss German language course provides basic knowledge of the local dialect as it is spoken at the respective school location. The aim is to gain a better understanding of the dialect and to be able to use it step by step. The focus is on oral communication and confident pronunciation.

The following topics are typically covered in the Swiss German language course:

• Listening comprehension: Recognizing and understanding dialects as they are used in everyday situations
• Speaking: Develop and improve your own ability to express yourself in the local dialect
• Pronunciation: specific training in regional pronunciation
• Grammar: insight into typical structures and differences to standard language
• Vocabulary: building a practical vocabulary for everyday life, work or social situations

A Swiss German language course is ideal for anyone who wants to communicate more confidently in everyday life - whether at work, in the neighborhood or in public life.

As each school has its own focus and the dialect taught may differ depending on the region, it is worth asking the school of your choice directly about the exact course content.

Tip: You can easily forward this question to the relevant school using our contact form.

Getting started with Swiss German (Swiss German for beginners) is easier if you use different learning methods. For beginners in particular, there are now numerous ways to successfully understand and use Swiss German for beginners.

Tips for getting started in Swiss German (Schwyzerdütsch for beginners):

• Use learning videos and interactive exercises: Many online platforms offer easy-to-understand content that can be used to learn the basics of the dialect step by step.
• Speak regularly with native speakers: The direct exchange helps to improve listening comprehension and develop a feeling for the melody of the language.
• Build up vocabulary and grammar in a targeted way: There are teaching materials that focus on different regional variants such as Zürideutsch, Bärndütsch, Baseldytsch or Lozärner dialect.
• Observe and imitate everyday situations: Whether you're shopping, on public transport or watching TV - if you consciously listen, you automatically expand your vocabulary.
• Use the Swiss Idiotikon as a reference work: This comprehensive dictionary documents the diversity of the Swiss German language and can support learning.

With a combination of theory and practice, the introduction to Schwyzerdütsch (Swiss German for beginners) is particularly effective. The important thing is to keep at it and not be discouraged by the unfamiliar sound - over time, many things will become easier to understand and more familiar.

Please note: Each school or educational institution decides for itself how the Schwyzerdütsch for beginners course is structured and what the focus is. The exact structure of Schwyzerdütsch for beginners may vary depending on the provider.

Uncertainties? Enquire directly at the desired school with Swiss German for beginners - with just one click

You can learn Swiss German in different ways and in different places - both within Switzerland and internationally. Depending on your learning goal, location and personal preference, there are several options:

• Language schools in Switzerland: Many language schools throughout the country offer specific courses in Swiss German - both for beginners and advanced learners. These courses are usually based on regional dialects.
• Online courses: Various platforms make it possible to learn Swiss German flexibly and from any location. Interactive learning methods, video lessons or live lessons with native speakers help you get to know the language and culture.
• Language schools abroad: Some international language schools specialize in Swiss German or offer individual courses on request. Ideal for anyone who wants to prepare for a stay in Switzerland.
• Private lessons: Individual lessons with qualified teachers can be tailored to specific needs - both on site and online.
• Everyday life and media: Swiss German can also be improved through podcasts, films, music or exchanges with native speakers. A useful addition to formal lessons.

Depending on your personal situation, a combination of different learning methods can be used to achieve quick and lasting progress when learning Swiss German. It is important to find out about the content, dialect and course format in advance.

As each school determines the offer and procedure for learning Swiss German individually, it is worth asking the school you are interested in directly. Use our contact form to easily forward your question to the right school.

Swiss German is not a standardized language, so as a non-Swiss you should pay close attention to which Swiss German course you attend. For example, if you live in Zurich or are thinking of moving there in the near future, it is not necessarily advisable to attend a language course at a school in Basel or Bern. The dialects are very different, so you should also attend a course in the region where you will be working or living (in the future). Please also find out the regional affiliation of the teacher there to avoid the same problem.

Every region has its own dialect, its own dialect, which is of course also written down, even if there is no official orthography. If you want to learn "Schwizerdütsch", you learn one of these dialects, such as Züritüütsch or Bärndütsch, and can use the corresponding teaching materials and exercise books, which contain the basic vocabulary as well as clarifying grammatical rules and sentence structures. These teaching materials are usually more entertaining than those for other foreign languages, also because it is assumed that participants in such a language course already have a solid knowledge of German. In this way, entertaining and useful things are taught in a Swiss German language course, whether in the form of comics, exercise books, audio CDs or with the help of digital learning programs.

Swiss German is much more than just a dialect - it is a central component of Swiss identity and firmly anchored in the everyday lives of many people. High German - Swiss German - the following characteristics make the latter special:

• Melodic sound: The soft and rhythmic tone gives Swiss German a pleasant character.
• Recognized in everyday life and at work: even though High German is used in many formal contexts, Swiss German is by no means less educated.
• Easier to learn than expected: Those who regularly surround themselves with the language quickly develop a good feel for it.
• Regional diversity: The pronunciation and choice of words varies from canton to canton and region to region, resulting in a wide range of languages.
• Widespread everyday language: Over 5 million people in Switzerland speak Swiss German - around 1.5 million speak the Zurich dialect (Züridütsch) alone.

These points on High German - Swiss German show how lively and multifaceted Swiss German is - both in private and professional contexts. Anyone who engages with it will discover a language that creates cultural proximity and is present in many areas of life.

Important: Each school may have its own requirements and assessments in dealing with High German - Swiss German. It is therefore advisable to obtain specific information directly from the school in question. Use our contact form to forward the question directly to the desired school. This will ensure a quick and uncomplicated answer regarding High German - Swiss German.