Participants are encouraged to develop their communicative and social skills. The courses build on the immigrants’ resources and life experiences in the Swiss municipalities. Materials from everyday life, such as official forms, information brochures and newspapers, are used in the lessons.

The courses take place in neighbourhood schoolhouses. The FABIA Competence Centre Migration is responsible for the overall project organisation, employment and professional supervision of the course instructors and coordinators, administration of the courses as well as cooperation with schools, the Canton of Lucerne, municipalities and other project funding institutions.

The courses last one semester (16 course weeks) and include two to four weekly lessons. They take place during the day or in the evening. The public school holidays apply.

In larger municipalities, childcare for preschool-age children can be offered during the German courses. The offer depends on the number of requests. The price for one child is CHF 150 per course. For a second child, there is an additional charge of CHF 100-.

Participants learn to read and write our alphabet. In addition to the pronunciation of the individual letters, reading and understanding of short and simple texts are trained and oral skills are promoted (speaking and comprehension)

FABIA diploma courses aim to prepare students for relevant language-level examinations. Skills that are crucial for obtaining the corresponding language diploma are specifically promoted. Language diplomas are helpful for people looking for a job. They are required to obtain a settlement permit or for naturalisation.For more information, consult the fact sheet on Proof of language skills (not available in English) and the State Secretariat for Migration SEM homepage.

You can find an overview of FABIA Lucerne's partner organisations and information regarding the recognised examination centres under Examination Centres Proof of Language Competence.

This course is intended for people who already speak and understand German (at least level A1). Course participants receive inputs on everyday topics such as living, working, shopping, health, authorities, children and school. Course instructors encourage participants to actively participate in conversations and support them in overcoming their inhibitions about speaking.

The parent-child courses ("ElKi") allow parents to learn German with their 2- to 5-year-old children. While the children playfully approach the German language, mothers and fathers can improve their own language skills.