English private schools: Education providers, schools, information

English lessons provide a solid foundation in the English language, including improved knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and sentence structure. In this way, students learn the language from scratch. They can express themselves more clearly and confidently - when speaking, writing and listening.

The aim of English lessons is to develop the skills of listening comprehension, listening/viewing comprehension, speaking, reading, writing and language mediation. In the upper school, it is traditionally aimed in particular at developing the ability to understand literary texts in English. As a foreign language lesson, it usually includes not only language and literature but also regional and intercultural aspects. In native English lessons, work with literary texts predominates.

Brochures, menus or signs from the target country not only improve reading skills, but also convey intercultural orientation knowledge as authentic materials in English lessons. Authentic materials should be understood here as all materials that have been created for a real communication occasion and not specifically for use in a classroom situation. This naturally includes original texts, films in the original English or songs, but also many other media that occur in everyday life. They can be selected specifically for the target group so that they create opportunities to speak and encourage action in the target language. In addition, they offer learners an encounter with the target language in its natural form and thus bring the foreign language at school and the foreign language "in real life" closer together.

Good English lessons are the result of:

• diverse, meaningful and authentic communication situations
• good learning situations that enable exploration and experimentation with the foreign language
• by reflecting on and talking about foreign language learning processes and through varied and targeted practice in all areas of the subject
• are communicative and create a foreign-language and culturally stimulating learning environment through a balanced development and networking of communicative skills

Depending on the language region, the language of instruction is German, French, Italian or Romansh, although there is a special situation in the Romansh-speaking communities. Language learning has traditionally been a high priority in Switzerland. During compulsory schooling, pupils learn a second national language and English. English is the language of instruction during these lessons. The cantons are responsible for compulsory education. In addition to public schools, there are numerous private schools in Switzerland that are attended by young people of foreign origin. The Directorate of Education can approve private schools that only partially fulfill the curriculum if the lessons are predominantly taught in a foreign language - such as English, the language of instruction. However, parents often have to prove that they are only staying in the canton temporarily, that they want to move abroad or that a school career not started in the country (or canton) will be completed.

English lessons for young children should not focus on boring exercises and sober vocabulary cramming. The more games, songs, poems and films in English, the better. Because singing simple English children's songs or watching English-language children's films together awakens the joy of the foreign language.

English lessons in Switzerland are based on the levels of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, both in terms of the description of communicative competencies and their assessment. The English curriculum also takes into account the intermediate levels of the European Language Portfolio II. English lessons at compulsory school enable learners to use English at an elementary and increasingly independent level.

Numerous schools in Switzerland and abroad offer English courses that are geared towards a specific language level. With a Cambridge language certificate, a TOEFL or BULATS test, you also receive recognized proof of the knowledge you have acquired. You should look for English schools that meet your needs. Location, curriculum, learning objectives or costs can make all the difference.

A language school or language school, formerly also known as a language institute, is a special school where languages are taught. Language schools are attended either by foreigners who want to learn a national language or by people who want to acquire or improve their foreign language skills. At an English language school, you learn English as a native language or as a foreign language.