Learn Swiss german language for expats and native German speakers
Grüezi mitenand!
About Swiss ABC
SwissABC is a team of passionate teachers and Mundart enthusiasts, fully dedicated to Swiss language and culture. We are here to share language, culture – and create connection with all people in Switzerland.
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SwissABC credo
Everybody can learn Swiss German!
SwissABC courses
German students spend 60-80 hours for each level (A1, A2, B1, etc.) and get to use their hard earned German skills rarely in daily interaction with Swiss locals. Looking at these special circumstances in Switzerland, learning Swiss German requires an exceptional approach:
It’s important to learn more than vocabulary and grammar. Information about culture, humour and manners is an essential part of our programs.
Focused lessons, more flexibility, less cancellations and updated information on every aspect of Swiss culture.
Our SwissABC Media Library provides fresh Media content for each lesson.
Optimal duration for receptivity and contextual learning success (Private class: 60 minutes)
Mini groups of 3-5 create a very good drive and progress.
SwissABC concept
Swiss German is the mother tongue in the German part of Switzerland. It is a spoken language without orthography.
We teach Swiss German as a language of its own and use exisiting German skills as an advantage.
Our teaching concept:
Access (understand)
- Turn German skills to Mundart.
- Learn the differences.
- Focus on. understanding and start to speak in the process
- Learn more than words, learn humour, manners and culture.
Consume (feel at home)
- Use what you learn everyday.
- Consume Swiss Media.
- Feel at home with Schwizerdütsch
Join (speak)
- Speaking takes time: Take your time!
- Train to act and react in Swiss German.
- Out of all things Swiss German is a funny language: Have fun!
FAQ
Check our FAQ to find useful answers to frequently asked questions about Swiss German and SwissABC!
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Is Swiss German a language or a dialect?
Swiss German (or Mundart) is a spoken language with specific characteristics and rules – both in grammar and vocabulary. (For example: There is no Präteritum in Swiss German.) It may not be considered a full language linguistically due to the lack of orthography. But it is considered the mother tongue in the German part of Switzerland and is essential to Swiss identity and culture.
Which Swiss German will I learn? Züridütsch? St. Galler Dütsch? Berndütsch?...
All Swiss German dialects comply in large parts to the specific rules and characteristics. The different dialects give us a hint on which region the person might be from, but are irrelevant to learning Mundart. We teach a neutral Swiss German dialect heard, spoken and understood in most cantons – and teach the main differences in Berndütsch.
What are the main differences between German and Swiss German?
Besides many lingual differences, German is a strict language with a direct tone, while Swiss German is more flexible and diplomatic.
In Switzerland, German is used mainly for writing and reading. Swiss German (or Mundart) is the spoken mother tongue.
How important is it to learn Mundart/Swiss German?
Realistically you get by very well in Switzerland with any language. However, official migration offices expect people to understand Swiss German at some point.
We believe you should learn Swiss German for your own personal benefit: Learning Swiss German completes your lingual integration in Switzerland and gives you access to the Swiss community.
Can I learn Mundart/Swiss German without learning German?
We strongly recommend to learn Standard German first, as almost everything is written in Standard German. Our Basic Program is suitable for students with an A level, our Chuchichäschtli Program requires a B level. If you are not sure about your level, please do our placement test!
What are Helvetismen?
Helvetismen are Swiss Standard German (but also Italian, English or French) expressions, that are used in Switzerlands Standard German (writing and speaking). For example: Führerausweis, Goal or Poulet.
In our program we use the term «Helvetisme» for Swiss German words and expressions/slang as well. They reflect Swiss humour and culture perfectly. For example: An easy, well paid and fun job is considered “Schoggi-Job” (chocolate job).
What is different in SwissABC courses to other Swiss German courses?
We are dedicated to Swiss German only. Our concept access > consume > join is customized to the needs of our students and a good base to keep learning from your neighbours, children or even strangers. Updated information about Swiss culture and society is essential in our courses.
Which Swiss ABC program should I chose?
We recommend:
- the Chuchichäschtli program if you have a B1 or more in Standard German and want to get a full guide to all aspects of Swiss German, culture and humour in one go.
- the Basic program if you want to get a quick guide to Swiss German for essential everyday situations – with or without advanced Standard German skills.
- the Individual program if you need Swiss German for specific situations (job, naturalization) or want to build up on your Basic or Chuchichäschtli program with a customized learning plan.
- The Conversation program if you already learned Swiss German and would like to train your speaking skills.
Will I speak perfect Swiss German after a Swiss German course?
Many of our students start learning Swiss German with the goal to understand and find themselves speaking perfectly. Learning any language is often a question of Godgiven talent. Some people are like sponges and learn a language even without a course. We see the same pace in all students when it comes to understanding – and a surprisingly fast pace also in speaking. Your Mundart doesn’t have to be perfect for you to conversate – Swiss German is a welcoming, funny and flexible language.
Can I get a certificate for this course? Is it recognized?
We’re happy to provide a certificate for your completed SwissABC course.
Please note that, despite growing interest, Swiss German skills are not yet officially recognized by Swiss migration authorities. However, some German certification institutions in Switzerland (such as SDS) do accept oral exams in Swiss German as part of officially recognized certificates required for residence permits or naturalization.
Why do many Swiss people switch to English when I speak German?
There is a multitude of reasons for this phenomenon – and none of them have to do with your German skills. The most important reasons are: German is not our mother tongue. We use German for official situations or schoolrelated issues and rarely in private situations. English has many similarities to Swiss German, for example flexible sentence structure or vocabulary.
I heard trying to speak Mundart is not appreciated by Swiss locals. Some think it sounds silly. Is it true? Why?
Let’s be fair on the Swiss – and ignore rude people: Most Swiss people are not capable to explain the lingual differences. However, the problem is the word “try”: Using some Mundart/Swiss German words in a German sentence can sound “silly”. Learning the characteristics and rules will erase the risk.
Most Swiss people have a great appreciation and respect towards the effort to be understood in their mother tongue.
Swiss people don't even understand eachother. Is it true?
Unless you are at the borders of Swiss language regions (for example Wallis) or speak to a mumbling person, we understand eachother perfectly fine in all dialects. You will learn about the most important dialect differences (above all for Berndütsch).
Do Swiss people learn German/Hochdeutsch?
Yes, we learn proper German in school. Films, books, etc. are mostly in German, we understand but rarely use Standard German in everyday communication and thus, have to train using proper German in school.
Book a course
Join one of our mini group courses or build your own group.
Our Programs
Explore our programs and find the best course for your needs.
Gift a SwissABC Lesson Voucher!
Whether personalized as a gift or for yourself: Our lesson vouchers are valid up to 2 years.