Attend a language course and try to talk to people who speak German. Listen to and read German (newspapers, YouTube, library). Keep a personal vocabulary list of the translations for important words. Repeat what you have learned. Make the German language an important part of your daily life.

A0

A0.1 / A0.2 / A0.3

Approx. 170 lessons

Listening

• Understand numbers
• Understand everyday words

Reading

• Read and understand individual words correctly

Speaking

• Introduce yourself using short sentences
• Pronounce familiar words comprehensibly

Writing

• Write short words and sentences

A1

A1.1 / A1.2

Approx. 100 – 180 lessons

Provide information about yourself and your daily life using simple sentences

Listening

• Understand the time
• Understand very simple instructions for work

Reading

• Understand an invitation
• Understand a simple advertisement

Speaking

• Provide information about you and your family
• Make an appointment
• Let the school know your child can’t attend; call in sick to work

Writing

• Fill out a simple form
• Write a very simple e-mail (e.g. to call in sick)

A2

A2.1 / A2.2

Approx. 100 – 180 lessons

Cope with the language of simple, everyday situations in Switzerland independently

Listening

• Understand essential information at the bank or post office
• Understand simple instructions at work

Reading

• Understand a simple letter from the school
• Understand key information from short newspaper articles

Speaking

• Hold a simple telephone conversation
• Ask for information at the bank or post office
• Talk about personal experiences, such as a trip

Writing

• Fill in forms at the bank or an official department
• Write a simple personal e-mail (e.g. to send an invitation to a friend)

B1

 B1.1 / B1.2 / B1.3

Approx. 120 – 200 lessons

Cope with the language of most everyday situations in Switzerland independently

Listening

• Understand the main information in conversations, on the radio and telephone
• Understand instructions at work

Reading

• Understand important information from newspaper articles

Speaking

• Discuss an interesting topic and express your own opinion
• Take part in and contribute to a parents’ consultation chat
• Talk about work and the company

Writing

• Write simple reports at work
• Write a personal or semi-formal e-mail

B2

 B2.1 / B2.2 / B2.3

Ca. 180 – 200 Lektionen

Study for a Federal VET Diploma at vocational school

Listening

• Understand the majority of television programmes and conversations between native speakers
• Be able to understand technical discussions in one’s own area of expertise

Reading

• Read complex texts and understand the main points
• Understand complex instructions in one’s own area of expertise

Speaking

• Be able to give clear, detailed descriptions on many subjects, express ideas and give examples
• Be able to give a clear, systematic presentation and respond spontaneously to questions from the public
• Hold a normal conversation or discussion with native speakers without much effort

Writing

• Write formal e-mails (letter of complaint, job application, letter to a publication)

C1

C1.1 / C1.2 / C1.3

Approx. 180 – 200 lessons

Study at a university or university of applied sciences

Listening

• Understand complex conversations, specialist presentations and discussions, even if they are on unfamiliar topics

Reading

• Understand a wide range of longer, complex texts and grasp even fine nuances of implicit attitudes and opinions
• Understand long, complex instructions for new equipment or processes

Speaking

• Be able to give a structured talk about a complex topic, explain and justify one’s personal point of view and give examples
• Joint in a technical/specialist discussion

Writing

• Write clear, well-structured texts on complex topics (formal e-mails, reports, minutes, presentations)

C2

C2.1 / C2.2 / C2.3

Approx. 180 – 200 lessons

Almost native speaker competence in all skills (listening, reading, speaking, writing)

Listening

• Understand practically everything you hear without problem

Reading

• Understand practically everything you hear without problem

Speaking

• Summarise information from different written and oral sources
• Express oneself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, even on complex topics

Writing

• Write complex texts in an appropriate style