Language schools
Schools and tutors for German, French, or Italian, from intensive courses before you arrive to evening classes once you are settled.
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Largest private German school in Switzerland with over 100 courses at three locations
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Year-round intensive French and German courses on Lake Geneva's shores in Montreux
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German language school in Zurich business district specializing in small group instruction
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German intensive and online courses at seven locations across Romandy and Ticino
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German, French and Italian from inlingua chain with 19 languages across 14 Swiss locations.
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Zurich · since 1965
A language school near Stadelhofen that teaches German, English, French, Italian and Spanish. German runs as 20 or 30 lesson per week intensive courses, plus afternoon and evening options and one-to-one premium tuition. They prepare students for the Goethe-Zertifikat at B1, B2 and C1, and run courses online as well as on site.
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French specialist with six locations in Geneva, Lausanne, Fribourg, Montreux, Neuchâtel and Biel
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French, German and Italian tutoring with 50+ teachers across Switzerland
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Zurich
A school within walking distance of Zurich main station, with German as its main subject and a long list of other languages alongside it. German courses run from A1 to C2 as standard twice-weekly classes, intensive blocks, conversation groups and private lessons, in person or online, with groups capped at six. It is an accredited testing centre for telc certificates and the fide test, and runs naturalisation exam preparation for Zurich.
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Telc examination centre with German, French and Italian courses in Zurich, Basel and Lucerne
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German, French and Italian language courses plus continuing education via Swiss university partner
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Lausanne
Eurocentres Lausanne offers French courses at all proficiency levels with housing included, overlooking Lake Geneva.
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TELC-certified German courses in Zurich with intensive and semi-intensive options near central station
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German and English language courses across four Swiss cities near Bern
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Courses in 19 languages offered in Geneva and Lausanne by the global inlingua network.
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Switzerland
Switzerland's largest language school network, with around 50 locations across the country and courses in more than 25 languages, covering every CEFR level from A1 to C2 and available as weekly, semi-intensive or intensive formats.
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French and German courses in Geneva with small personalized groups since 2003
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Geneva
Alliance Française de Genève offers French classes at all levels with group and private options, plus corporate language training.
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Switzerland
A globally recognised language school with multiple centres in Switzerland, offering German, French and Italian courses for professionals and their families, including total immersion programmes, online lessons and business language coaching.
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German, French and Italian with telc certification in Lucerne for adults
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Geneva · since 1968
A family-run French school in Geneva, about five minutes from Lake Geneva, focused on French as a foreign language. Intensive and semi-intensive group classes run mornings from 9 to 12 or afternoons from 2 to 5, with small evening groups for people who work during the day. The school prepares students for the DELF and DALF exams and handles the registration at no extra cost, and also runs medical French and summer courses.
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Geneva · since 2004
A French language school in central Geneva teaching all levels from beginner to advanced. Classes run daily through the year as morning or afternoon sessions, with a dedicated intensive track for beginners and private lessons on request. ELFI is a certified centre in Switzerland for preparing the DELF and DALF exams, and live online classes are offered too.
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Bern
A language school at Thunstrasse 8 near the centre of Bern, teaching German, French and English. German runs from A1 to C1 in several intensities, from super-intensive and intensive mornings down to afternoon, evening, private and online formats. Intensive mornings are four 45 minute lessons a day, Monday to Friday, mixing listening, writing and speaking practice.
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Basel
A German school on Dufourstrasse in Basel running courses across the full range from A1 to C2. Formats include daily intensive courses, twice-weekly semi-intensive mornings, once-a-week evening or lunchtime groups, integration groups and flexible private lessons. The school also runs certificate preparation for telc, Goethe and fide, and online conversation classes.
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French, German, Italian and English courses in the French-speaking Valais region
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Multi-language school since 1986 with intensive and business German in Solothurn and Biel.
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German and Swiss German courses in central Zurich with strong exam results
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French, German and English immersion courses in Geneva and Vaud with conversation workshops
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Lugano · since 1992
An Italian language school in Lugano, on via Basilea, open to adults of every level and background. The Smart Course is an intensive morning programme running Monday to Friday from 9 to 12 in four-week modules, with semi-intensive evening classes, private lessons, conversation sessions and group courses alongside it. The school is a fide exam and test preparation centre.
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German, French and Italian intensive and private courses in Zurich, Winterthur and Basel.
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German, French and Italian intensive courses in Zurich with private and evening options
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Lausanne · since 1973
A language school in downtown Lausanne on Avenue Benjamin-Constant, teaching French, English, German and Italian at every level from A1 to C2. French for foreigners is the core offering, taught face to face on site, at your company, online or in a hybrid mix, with private lessons on request. The school prepares students for the DELF and the fide test.
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French and German courses in Sion with 40 years teaching experience.
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German and English daily or twice-weekly in central Zurich opposite main station.
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French, German, English and Spanish courses in Geneva with online and field trip options
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Zurich
A school that teaches only German, aimed at expats living in Switzerland. Lessons are private one-to-one or small online sessions, covering A1 through C2, and can be held at your home with a visiting teacher. Courses target the Swiss telc, Goethe and fide exams that are often asked for with a residence or work permit, and business German with role-specific vocabulary is available.
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Basel
An International Language School branch a short walk from Basel SBB station, teaching German alongside French, English, Spanish and many other languages. German group courses run as intensive, morning, afternoon, evening and Saturday formats, sized for small classes, and private tuition is offered in over 40 languages. The intensive German course is built for picking up the language as fast as possible.
Frequently asked questions
What types of course formats can I find for learning German, French, or Italian?
You can choose from intensive courses, such as those offering 20 or 30 lessons per week, or more flexible options like evening classes and twice-weekly sessions. Some schools also provide one-to-one tutoring or online courses to suit your schedule.
Are there schools that focus specifically on one language?
Yes, some providers specialize in a single language, such as French specialists or schools where German is the main subject. Others offer a wide range of languages including English and Spanish alongside the primary European languages.
Can I find language training that includes professional or academic certification?
Several schools offer continuing education through Swiss university partners or serve as official examination centres for Telc. There are also programs specifically designed for professionals and their families.
Which cities or regions are covered by these language schools?
Many schools have multiple locations across Switzerland, including major hubs like Zurich, Geneva, Basel, and Lucerne. You'll also find options in Romandy, Ticino, and areas around Lake Geneva like Montreux.