The Wide World in the Classroom
Once again this year, with the arrival of newly recruited language assistants from various countries, a fresh international breeze is blowing into Swiss classrooms.
Over the past months, Movetia has placed 51 young language assistants in host schools across Switzerland. From the start of the new school year, they will support teachers in language instruction. They join another 33 assistants who are already working here as part of the language assistant programme.
In total, 84 language assistants from 12 countries are sharing their languages and cultures – French, English, German, Spanish, or Italian – in the classroom.
Introductory seminar for a successful start
Movetia also prepares this year’s language assistants for life in Switzerland and for their work at their host schools, all of which are at upper secondary level. The feeling of joyful anticipation – mixed with a healthy dose of excitement about the professional adventure ahead – was palpable during the introductory seminar on 28 August.
The core of the seminar is the exchange of experiences with already experienced language assistants. They share tips and recommendations for both everyday life and professional practice. In addition, language didactics workshops place the focus on methodology and ideas for teaching.
For the first time, representatives from Swiss host schools also took part as guests. The breaks provided a valuable opportunity to get to know one another and exchange experiences with language assistants.
Young professionals eager to contribute
Students at the host schools can look forward to working with highly motivated young professionals, full of energy and drive: “I will be teaching English to individuals from all different backgrounds and language barriers while being able to expand my global and local knowledge through community building. I am excited to bring this enthusiasm to Switzerland, where I can support students in their English language learning journey,” wrote a future English assistant from the United States, soon to begin teaching at Kantonsschule Burggraben.
I am excited to bring this enthusiasm to Switzerland, where I can support students in their English language learning journey.
Growing demand for French assistants
Movetia recruits language assistants based on the specific needs of host schools. While English assistants were in greatest demand for many years, since 2021 requests for French assistants have surpassed them – a trend that grows stronger each year. This year, 41 positions, nearly half of all 84 assistant posts, are for French.
Language assistants as a talent pool
Host schools in Switzerland increasingly seem to view the language assistant programme as a recruitment channel for their future teaching staff. During the assistantship, schools have the opportunity to observe potential future teachers at work, accompany them, and support their development. In some cases, assistants are later hired as regular teachers once their training is completed.
Six new host schools join the programme
This year, six new host schools from the cantons of Schwyz, Lucerne, and Zurich are participating in the language assistant programme for the first time. They are starting with small teaching assignments, alongside other host schools, to gain initial experience.
Movetia recruits language assistants each year and places them in host schools in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Swiss schools abroad. Information about the programme can be found in our funding offer “Hiring a Language Assistants”. Requests for assistants can be submitted from 6 December onwards.
As part of this year’s national exchange week in November, you will also have the opportunity to attend a lesson in either English or French. Further information is available on our event page.
