8 Arguments why Expats should learn Standard German in "Lovely Switzerland"

Being a German teacher for many years, I am often asked by learners whether learning German makes any sense in Switzerland, whether it wouldn’t be better to know Swiss German, since the baker stubbornly answers in Swiss Dialect after one has made an effort to order ones bread in ones best Standard German.

Well, in all these years I have collected a very impressive arsenal of counter arguments, which I keep neatly labeled in preserving jars in my Chuchichäschtli (kitchen cupboard), but today I will present you my 8 top shots, the rest can debate a bit with the Zwätschgegumfie (plum jam). Let’s go!

Argument Nr. 1 Central European probability calculation

Did you know? 153 million people worldwide currently speak German, and the number is rising. 15 millions of them learn German as a foreign language. These 15 million German learners have apparently done their homework and have discovered that German is the official language in Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, as well as it is the official language in Belgium and Luxemburg and – surprise! – German is even the official language of the European Union, due to the fact that German is the most widely spoken native language in the EU.

In other words: As long as you stay in the EU for business and private purposes, your chances are one in three that you will encounter the German language somewhere, somehow, at some point. Wouldn’t it feel nice if you didn’t stand there completely surprised and speechless?

Argument Nr. 2 Dialect is everywhere

Coming back to the Swiss baker who answered you in Swiss German when you bought your bread. First of all, I hope for you and the baker’s sake that the bread was delicious. The thing about dialect is this: it’s everywhere, just like flour in a bakery. I love dialects! But unfortunately they are not a basis for communication for foreign speakers, and sometimes not even for locals, because quite frankly I don’t understand everything that is said in the State of Valais, believe it or not. So, if you want to learn Swiss German, which dialect will it be? You would like to know how many Swiss dialects there are? I don’t know, science still counts…

Furthermore: The dialect problem is not limited to Switzerland, because as I said, dialect is everywhere, even in Austria, even in Germany you won’t get around it: Feel free to buy your bread in Munich, on the Swabian Alp or why not in Dresden – you will not understand a word of what the nice man behind the counter is saying.

My tip: Learn Standard German. The children in Swiss primary schools learn it, the kids in Vienna know it, as well as the little ones on the Swabian Alp. Standard languages are a kind of consensus construction of politeness: if you meet a wll-mannered baker, he will try to answer you in German and not in dialect, regardless of the country. As long as you pay for the bread.

Argument Nr. 3 Christmas dinners and other calamities

I’ll keep it short: Anyone who claims only English is spoken in their company hasn’t attended a Christmas dinner yet. From the second glass of Prosecco onwards, everyone starts talking in their mother tongue. Bad luck for you if you work in a German-speaking Swiss team. The later and merrier the evening, the less you will be part of the party fun. And if you are then asked to bring out a toast in German, only a third glass of Prosecco might help…

PS: The same goes for drinks after project meetings, birthday parties and – I think you got the principle.

Argument Nr. 4 Children in the fast lane

It starts innocently enough: The baby cries, the baby laughs, the baby sleeps. Then the cutie begins to speak, delightfully! Then you and your family move, let’s say from Spain to Switzerland, and three months later the four-year-old comes out of Kindergarten with her new “bestie”, the two disappear in the children’s room and speak in a language that sounds to you like conspiracy. Might be high time to learn German, else soon enough you will not understand your little ones and they might have to help you with your homework and not the other way around. 

My tip: Stay on top of things. Learn German before your children overtake you on the fast lane. It is self-defense, Mark Twain would be with me.

Argument Nr. 5 “It’s the economy, stupid!”

This cheeky quote originally was brought up by Bill Clinton’s economic advisor Jim Carvile and it is an appeal not to underestimate economic aspects in peoples lives. As a German teacher, I observe that attending language courses is often linked to economic developments. Unfortunately, it’s often like going to the dentist: One does it a little late, when the tooth already aches. Except that the dentist can repair a hole in your tooth much faster than a German teacher can fill a gap in your curriculum. Learning German takes a little time but turns out to be a real career asset.

My tip: Even if you don’t know exactly why – learn German in advance. Suddenly the day has arrived when you have to talk to German customers in business-fluent German. Then it would be nice if your pulse stayed calm, wouldn’t it?

Argument Nr. 6 Probability Calculation for Go Getters.

Let’s say you want to pursue a career and are aiming for a leadership position in your company. A competitive advantage in you portfolio could be a C1 or even C2 German certificate. You are of the opinion that a certificate is just academic decoration and has nothing to do with real life? Well, the internationally recognized TELC exam consists of a written AND an oral part. Guess, what the oral part is for? “Real life". And the certificate is obviously only awarded to those who have mastered both German in writing and in speech. By the way: latest from learning level B2 onwards you will be able to also understand German dialects – your Bavarian baker will be delighted!

My tip: From B2 onwards, a language certificate becomes interesting for your portfolio; for management positions you should aim for a C1 or even C2 certificate.

Argument Nr. 7 Ulysses returns home

Are you hesitant to learn German because you don’t yet know exactly for how long you will stay in Switzerland? I understand. However: Even if you return to your home country, having some German language skills in your suitcases won’t hurt. Your employees, let’s say in Italy, will be thrilled to have an accomplished German speaker onboard, who is able to negotiate in fluent German with customers and business partners. My client have confirmed this to me again and again over the years and told me, knowing German was a game changer for their career in their home country.

My tip: Don’t wait, be pro-active and learn German right away. Learning languages is never in vain.

Argument Nr. 8 Ode to Joy

My final argument for learning German as an expat in lovely Switzerland is kitsch, but kitsch is also an important element in life, what would the world be without songs by Elton John! I have studied Latin, French, English and Swedish and find that it is impossible not to love a language once you have spent some quality time with it. German may sound a bit awkward at first, I give you that, but I have yet to meet a student whose eyes didn’t start to shine when I explained to them what the German word Warmduscher means. Or Kinkerlitzchen. Or Leitmotiv. One day, you will understand, I promise.

My tip: Listen to Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. And book a German course. Why not today?