Bilingual education, especially at the upper secondary level, is widespread in Switzerland, a report has summarised. However, experts reckon the growing popularity of English could represent a threat to the national languages.
This content was published on
1 minute
Keystone-SDA/dos
Português
pt
Língua inglesa cada vez mais apreciada nas escolas suíças
The 373 bilingual programmes currently available throughout the country are a testament to the innovative approach of the Swiss education system when it comes to language learning, according to the study led by the University of Geneva, published on Thursday.
Four-fifths of the programmes registered in 2022 were at the upper secondary school level, the rest at the earlier mandatory schooling level – where there is “big potential for development”, the study said.
More
More
Bilingual students have the upper hand
This content was published on
A visit to the University of Fribourg, Switzerland’s only fully French-German bilingual higher education institute.
Bilingual streams are most common in regions of the country which are already multilingual: correspondingly, in Bern, Fribourg, Valais and Graubünden, the second of the two languages on offer is usually another of the four Swiss national tongues (German, French, Italian or Romansh).
However, the most common second language in overall terms – and the one mostly seen in monolingual cantons – is English, which is seen as easier to learn and more useful.
The study authors say this represents a possible “danger of an anglicisation of the Swiss education system”, something which could lead to a loss of significance for the national languages. The study says politicians have a responsibility to come up with “sensible” strategies to slow down this development.
More
More
English as a common language in Switzerland: a positive or a problem?
This content was published on
It’s not unusual to hear Swiss people from different parts of the country chatting away in English. But what does it mean for national identity?
What do you think Switzerland’s Alain Berset can bring to the Council of Europe?
The former interior minister is to become the first Swiss Secretary General of the Council of Europe – which issues should his five-year term focus on?
How is your country dealing with the return of stolen artifacts?
Western nations like Switzerland often have to deal with the process of recovering or returning looted artifacts which have been illegally imported. What’s the situation like in your country?
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.