Language level
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