Let me guess … at least one of these is you:
- Although you’ve done some beginners’ courses in German, you don’t feel comfortable speaking the language. However, you don’t want to learn more rules, you want to finally start using German in everyday life.
- Your work is in English, but you need to take the B1 speaking exam for a Swiss residence permit or to apply for Swiss citizenship.
- In theory, you understand a fair bit, but the moment you have to speak German, a sense of panic sets in and you freeze. People switch to English and you get no chance to practise.
Imagine if it could be like this instead:
- You no longer fear mistakes and have developed the confidence to use the German you already know with ease in your day-to-day interactions here in Switzerland.
- You can finally make sense of all the grammar you’ve learnt and you’re able to understand, speak and write German well enough to pass an official language exam such as Goethe or telc without any problems.
- Hesitating and holding back is a thing of the past. There is no more confusion, you can connect better with the people around you and finally feel more like you belong.
What my students say:
How this course will help you improve
your German skills:
Build vocabulary
Speak fluently
Pronunciation
Listening skills
Conversation strategies
Confidence
What you will be able to do at the end of this programme:
Socialise and connect with the people around you
- Start and maintain conversations with neighbours, colleagues and acquaintances.
- Make small talk at an apéro, over lunch or at a social event.
- Chat to your Swiss partner’s family and friends about what you’ve been up to, your weekend or holiday plans, hobbies, experiences and current interests.
- Order in cafés and restaurants without anyone needing to switch to English.
Handle everyday taks with ease
- Ask for advice and information in shops, pharmacies and other businesses.
- Return an item to a shop, exchange it or make a complaint politely.
- Know what to say at the post office if you want to pick up and send parcels or registered letters.
- Master the binbag, stickers and receipt conversations at Coop or Migros.
Manage school and family life
- Talk to your children’s teachers about their progress and upcoming events.
- Take part in parent evenings and understand the main points of discussion.
- Arrange playdates and coordinate activities with other families.
- Make, cancel or postpone doctor’s or hospital appointments
Deal with admin and organise your life in Switzerland
- Make phone calls to estate agents, technicians or service providers
- Understand the main information in official letters or rental agreements and identify what action you need to take
- Speak to your letting agency or landlord to report issues in your house or apartment and get them resolved
- Contact the Gemeinde and ask for information about required documents and deadlines for your residence permit, Swiss naturalization or your tax return
How you get there in three easy steps:
1) Step by step, we revise the key building blocks of the German language: We erase any doubts about how the grammar works, expand your vocabulary, and fill in any gaps you may have.
Given my expertise as a linguist, I know exactly what we need to focus on, and also what we can safely leave out, so you are ready to speak German with ease in your everyday life here in Switzerland.
2) From day one, we practise real conversations. Everything you learn is relevant to you and your day-to-day life. During our weekly 1:1 session, you speak at least 70 per cent of the time and get constructive feedback immediately.
I create a calm, supportive environment where you can try things out without fear and together we practise useful phrases and strategies that you can use in real life straight away.
3) Apart from language, we also look at mindset. Not just yours, but also that of the Swiss. My coaching combines language teaching with insights into Swiss culture: communication is not just about words, it’s about connecting with people. Sometimes, mental blocks can get in the way of progress. Together, we identify any unconscious beliefs that may be holding you back and learn to reframe them so you can move into a growth mindset and communicate confidently without fear.
What makes my coaching different?
Most German learners in Zürich eventually realise:
Taking another group course won’t make you a better German speaker. You’ll likely just be one of many faces and not get much speaking time. You’re busy, and fitting German classes around your day job can be challenging. For the same reason, you struggle to find time for revision and practice, which is why you feel stuck.
It’s not that you don’t want to improve your German, but you need a plan that works.
I provide a structure for learning German that:
- Channels all my expertise from over 25 years of teaching and coaching and helps you learn efficiently by focusing on what really matters.
- Ensures you make steady progress without feeling overwhelmed or taking unnecessary detours.
- Allows you to build a German routine you can fit around your other commitments.
- Gives you plenty of 1:1 speaking practice so you can finally break through the language barrier and speak German without fear.
- Gives you everything you need to move forward and skips what you don’t, so you can make progress fast.
Here’s exactly what sets this programme apart:
German for Life in Zürich combines the flexibility of a comprehensive online programme with the accountability, feedback and momentum of live coaching.
Rather than spending hours listening to me teach live every week, you’ll work through a structured programme of professionally recorded videos at your own pace. That means you can revisit the material whenever you need it and fit it around your work and family commitments.
I understand how brain-friendly language coaching works. Bitesize chunks of language explained in an easy and logical way ensure you retain what you have learnt and varied follow-up exercises help you build confidence quickly.
Ok, but what about the speaking?
We have a weekly 1:1 live session to practise what really moves you forward: applying what you’ve learnt in real conversations and getting instant feedback on pronunciation grammar and vocabulary.
Most importantly, the learning doesn’t stop when the lesson is over. It becomes part of your routine. Neatly tied in with the live sessions, you get additional practice tasks that you send to me by voice message and I will give you personalised feedback on them.
We use technology not to replace lessons, but to give us an advantage. It allows us to add bite-size speaking opportunities on a regular basis, which is hugely beneficial for your brain. You can apply what you have learnt only if you actively use it again and again until you feel sure about it.
German for Life in Zürich combines the flexibility of self-paced learning with professional coaching and genuine human support from a passionate linguist and language coach. You get the best of both worlds.
This isn’t a course you’ll buy and never finish.
What support looks like within the programme:
You’ll receive:
- 60+ easy-to-follow explanatory videos that you work through at your own pace over a 3-month period.
- Follow-up practice exercises with answers so you know instantly if you’re on track.
- A weekly 40-minute 1:1 live session to put into practice what you have learnt.
- My expertise as a linguist and my calm, friendly manner as a language coach to provide support, guidance and quickly erase any doubts you may have.
- Detailed personalised feedback from me on your additional speaking tasks.
- Accountability and momentum with weekly check-ins via email.
- A highly professional service from a passionate teacher and coach for a smooth and enjoyable learning experience.
- Me as a partner on your side, which ensures you never feel lost or overwhelmed.
FAQs:
You will absolutely have the necessary skills, but it is recommended you do some dedicated exam preparation so you’re familiar with the structure of the exam and know exactly what to expect.
Your investment will be CHF 2699.
Pay in full or if or in three instalments of CHF 900.
No worries, if you feel after the first month that the programme isn’t right for you, you only pay for that month and can leave with no hard feelings.
If you’re after a B1 refresh and value professional teaching materials
including helpful and friendly AI speaking partners for conversation practice,
but appreciate complete flexibility, German for Life in Zürich FLEX is now available.
This is a pure self-study course at only CHF 999 for the whole programme
that has also delivered excellent results.
Find out if German for Life in Zürich FLEX could be right for you instead:
You’re a committed self-starter and a very disciplined individual who appreciates structure, but you follow through on goals you’ve set yourself.
You’ve done a B1 course before, but there are some aspects of the language you’re still unsure about.
German for Life in Zürich FLEX gives you the content of the whole programme without the 1:1 sessions. However, you won’t be missing out on targeted conversation practice either thanks to friendly and professional AI speaking partners.
Would you like any help deciding or are you ready to give it a try?