Swiss School Like a Local Part 1: Prepping for Gymnasium
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- A few tips about navigating the Swiss school system based on our experience raising two kids in Zürich Switzerland.
This is part 1 of a series focused on what comes after primary school (6th grade) in Swiss public schools. In this video, I talk about the path to Long Gymnasium, the elite academic program for which less than 20% of students qualify.
I will link here to the other videos in the series when those are ready.
For links and this info in text form, see this post: swissfamilyfun...
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Thanks for this video! Our little one is not even close to starting school yet, but I have so many more questions now and I feel your emotions through the video. I like that Ch has an apprenticeship track. Wish this was available in the US.
Glad you liked it! Yes, I'm very thankful for the apprenticeship route which is a great for for many kids. I have two more videos coming up, hope they answer some of your questions.
Thank you so much, I really needed this explanation and you explained it so well.
Thank you ❤️
Thank you so very much for sharing this. I have gotten confusing information in the past. You have given me very valuable information.
Oh wow! Thank you for the very detailed information. This is incredibly helpful!
Me watching tons of these videos while I am already in Langgymnasium in zurich, I don’t really know why I watch these but great video anyways!
A great and very informative video! Just be aware that admission requirements have significantly changed in the last years so be sure to get up to date information.
Agreed. Plus admission requirements are different in every canton. Hard to keep up.
I'd heavily recommend parents who moved from other countries to Switzerland to watch the Part 3: apprenticeship video as well. I think it's important to understand the swiss school system und that there are many other possibilities to get a good job. Some friends of mine went the apprenticeship way and earn more then I do with my academic education. Also there is the possibility to do the gymnasium later with an age of 18, 30 or even later (like me). And there's not just one type of university. In english they are all called university I think. But in Switzerland there are ones who are more fucused on theoretical training (like the "Universität Zürich" or the "Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule - ETHZ or EPLF") or many who have a much more practical orientation (we call them "Fachhochschule" which has nothing to do with highschools btw.) and also give you a Bachelor or Master. The system is built to make it possible to move between different education level and fit the interests and skills of the kids as good as possible. This dosen't mean that everything is perfect. But you don't have to pressure your kids to high marks just because there is only one chance. It's not.
I totally agree. My son has just finished his first year of his apprenticeship and it has been a very positive experience. Of course, I know this is not the case for everyone who ends up in the apprenticeship route. But there is a lot of flexibility in the Swiss system. The challenge is to help youth navigate through the process and understand their choices and the consequences of those choices so they don't get stuck in a corner they don't like.
Your video is very well spoken and structured. Your explanations are, for the most part, accurate. I like how you accept reality and try to absorb what you feel is the hand you've been dealt. Thank you for this interesting video. I'm sure it was not easy for you to publish this video, so cudos for courage!
A few thoughts that come to mind watching your video:
You try not to give the impression that you are a victim of the Swiss school system, but a LITTLE bit of that vibe still comes across here and there. I personally feel most parents could do more to understand the intricacies of the Swiss public schooling system to anticipate and address those issues early on, rather than having to find out these issues along the way. I know, because I moved here from the US (probably just like you) and have put my own kids through the Swiss public school system as well and with only very positive results.
Something that always seemed like an elephant in the room in your video, but you just did not want to say the words: the Swiss school system - like its economy - is apparently just highly competitive. I believe many foreigners, especially from the US, feel that the Swiss are somehow a bit less developed, a bit behind the times, a bit quaint and a bit slow moving. This apparent quaintness can be quite misleading and can give the impression the school system can be easily dealt with and can be massaged where necessary. Nothing could be further from the truth. Everyone moving here should understand the highly competitive nature of the Swiss schooling system and its ramifications. Higly competitive means, not everyone's kids will be able to have the best and socially most desirable educational path from the get-go. But the Swiss school system is also highly permeable, so children on a lower scholastic path still retain all the possibilities for becoming upwardly mobile and have ALL opportunities along the way to switch to a higher level - if they are acedemically capable and have the grades to prove it.
You state that just switching to a private school does not guarantee getting your child into the gymnasium. You almost say this with an under-tone, as if this were a bad thing. Don't you feel grateful for living in a society, where just having enough money to get your offspring into private schools with tons of private tutoring does not guarantee them getting a prestigous higher education? Isn't that what equality and social justice - but also a competitive society - should be all about? Except of course, if someone belongs to a higher income level of society. Then of course this someone' MIGHT be dispappointed by this fact. For all the others, I feel this non-guarantee is actually really reassuring and demonstrates what a highly civilized culture should be about.
My last thought: you expand on how to decide wether or not a child should take courses to pass the Gymi exams. I believe this train of thought is sub-optimal. My view: It is our job as parents to open as many possibilities as possible, and to help them make choices. This means: if a child is scholastically inclined or just unsure of which path to take, get him / her to enroll early in the BEST preperatory classes available, regardless of the cost. Then let them decide if they want to take the course. Then let them decide if they want to take the Gymi acceptance exam. Then let them decide - if they pass the test - if they actually want to go to the Gymi. So for me, the thought of what a preperatory course costs or wether I think they should take it or not is totally beside the point. Our kids wanted to take exams, so we just asked around, found what many other parents knew to be (by far) the best Gymi preparation course and enrolled our kids so early that they all got accepted into those classes. The classes were not cheap. So what? It's not like they cost a fortune. They don't. The Swiss public school system on the other hand is VERY cheap. One child also took the preperatory classes offered for free (!) by our local school, because he wanted to cover all the bases. Not my idea. The prep course with the best reputation amongst the parents we consulted proved its reputation with us big time.
So I feel for you, I think your son will be fine, he can try again in one or two years and still get into Gymi, he can do Berufsmittelschule in his apprentiship, he can do Maturiätsschule für Erwachsene even later, if he needs more time, or he can do a Fachhochschule after his apprentiship and THEN go on to university. And all literally for free. I don't know any other place he can get this kind of solid eduction, all while moving forward at a pace he is comfortable with and feels good about himself, is not discriminated against (no "affirmative action" here) and later can earn one of the highest salaries in the world while learning to speak 2 - 4 languages. You'll be fine.
Eagerly awaiting part 2 .
I just posted it here: ruclips.net/video/cra9z4lzi5c/видео.html Let me know what you think!
Apprenticeships are the best way to go in Switzerland I think. You already get working experience while getting professional education for the profession you want to work in later on.
Agreed! I was skeptical but the more I learn about the apprenticeship system, the more I like it. However, it's very important to get a good one, which can be difficult to do.
@@SwissFamilyFun The US is actually adapting the Swiss dual education system. There's already a few companies in the US that educate their apprentices that way. (www.swissinfo.ch/eng/society/from-singapore-to-switzerland_vpet-18--swiss-vocational-training-as-a-model-for-others/44123310)
Could you make a video on the matura exam? There's none on RUclips.
These days you need marks of
5 in all subjects for a certain time,
Before being allowed to do the
entrance exam. This is in Zurich
2020.
Hello, thank you for your very informative video. We are planning out move to Switzerland soon and of course, the matter if school choice is a difficult one. We can't afford these super expensive international schools, but some I like are still on an acceptable price level (not in Zurich canton). How can us, non-german-speaking patents help children with the prep work for gymni (or school in general)? I can't imagine myself helping my children writing essays in German. Is not speaking German at home a recipe for failure in the swiss school system and hence that's why so many expats end up in private school? My children are now 7 and 4, so the eldest will start grade 2 and the youngest Kindergarten 1. Thanks for the help!
Great video!
Thanks 🙏
By the time we will move to Switzerland my daughter will complete the grade 6 in the American system.
Do you have any information regarding reassessment and placement for new comers students in Switzerland?
Thanks so much. If a child wants to study law or medicine, do they have to go through gymnasium track?
Great video, as usual! I find this relly interesting, but I have some questions!
You mentioned your kid didn't know much algebra and had trouble with writting essays. Don't they teach this in regular school? What DO they teach in 5-6th grade?!
He didn't learn algebra until 7th grade. After one semester in secondary school, he said, oh now I'm learning everything I needed for the test. ??? I was so frustrated! My younger son is in 5th and they are learning fractions right now. Curriculum seems to be changing all the time so I'm curious what he will be learning in math next year in 6th. Hopefully some algebra!
Hi
My wife is swiss but here am asking few basic question. We are planning to come from UK to swiss. School timing in swiss. As we both work. 6 and 3 yrs old, I need to know if we can manage both kids at school while we both work. I mean school and after school clubs runs between 8 to 6pm? I heard Wednesday is off. How we are supposed to manage while we work.
Hi. All schools offer "hort" which is child care at the school for before school, during lunch and after school. Pricing is dynamic based on your income. You can sign up for just certain days of the week and certain time slots. Schools differ but I've heard it costs around chf35/day if you need all 3 time slots. Some schools are moving to a "Tagesschule"model so all kids stay for lunch. You still pay a fee for lunch but I think it's a bit less. It would be good to inquire about the schools in the neighborhoods you are considering. It can be difficult and expensive for families where both parents work. Good luck!
I did O and A levels from the Cambridge system, world distinction in Chemisty. After that I achieved a bachelors and then a Masters in Organic Chemisty. I live in Pakistan and am a teacher. Are there any teaching opportunities for people from developing countries, especially Muslim, to secure employment in Switzerland? Have you ever seen any teachers from Pakistan, India or Sri Lanka working in Swiss boarding or public schools? Just what is your observation about this?
Wish I could speak with you
How can I get a private prep course in the Nänikon area
Hi I’m moving to Switzerland and I really need some help to figure it out is there any Sozialwissenschaften gymnasium or which gymnasiums are the best there? you would help alot💖
This translates as a Social Study
Gymnasium. Firstly it depends
which country you are coming
from. All Gymnasiums here in
Switzerland are good and are free. It is not good thinking a kid
can go to a Gymi if they do not
have high marks / notes in French, German, English. Plus
they need to speak Swiss German
for daily communication with other students. In addition, a
high standard of Mathematics
is required. This year the school
year starts on 17 Aug here in Zurich. It may differ by a date
or two, depending on the Canton.
Social Studies is only a subject.
The entrance exams are done in
about Mid May to June. Do not
think you can just come here and
put your kid/s in a Gymi. If you
are German and relocating to CH,
then entry is possible. But only
at the beginning of the school
year. Entry age is 12. Education
in Swiss Gymis is good and high
standards, leading onto Uni. There are a few private Gymis
that are expensive, but these are
not good according to a Swiss
citizen. They are for kids who
do not make the grade to get into
one of the State Gymnasiums.
Here in Switzerland, believe me
a state school is normal where
kids go. Private schools are good
for expats who later move onto
to another country. But some
Gymis special in say Music,
Languages or.... but not only
just Social Studies ( only a
subject like Geography or...)
Hope this helps you. Let me
know your actual nationality
and which country you live in
now? Wishing youva good day.
Could i understand the lessons of Gymnasium with my B2 German Degree?Can you please answer?
B2 German is not a degree. One
only gets a degree on finishing
a university course such as BA,
MA or. What you have is just a
certificate. B2 level German is
not very high.
@@111-w9d7y Thanks a lot
How r u
Where do live in Zurich. Which
Kreis. In Zurich Enge they learn
Algebra and understand it. Did
your son go to schook on the Gold
Coast or say Oerlikon? Your kid
does not sound anywhere gymi
level. I was a gymi teacher before
returing recently.
I hear from many parents in Zürich and the suburbs of Zürich that their kids are not learning hardly any of the math skills needed on the gymi exam. That's why most either take private prep classes or study intensely at home with their parents. I'm glad to hear your experience is different. I hope there are many students out there learning everything they need for gymi during their normal 8 hours a day at school. That's how it should be.
My son was absolutely not anywhere near gymi level, which was caused me shame and embarrassment for years. But a) the school did not teach him the materials and skills required for the exam, b) I do not have the skills and time to teach him that at home and c) I also chose not to rob my child of all his free time and spend money we didn't have to put him in intensive prep courses after school and weekends for 1-2 years, as many of his school mates did, some who made that sacrifice and still didn't pass the exam or probezeit.
If secondary schools here also gave excellent instruction and helped students achieve their best and encouraged them to try for Kurz gymi, then lang gymi wouldn't be such a big deal. But Sek clearly focuses on getting kids an apprenticeship, which isn't necessarily a bad goal. But many parents feel that Sek gives up on academics too early and doesn't push students to achieve academically. So they lose before they even get started.
@@SwissFamilyFun Kids either
have the Gymi level or not. I would say it also depends on the
area where one lives. All teachers
are good as are schools. But what can lower the level of a class is say kids coming from
Eastern Europe or... and the parents only speak Serbian,
Greek or whatever. Some kids
are intelligent and know how to learn. This starts in the home
at a young age from what a kid
learns in that environment
and at school. A foreign kid can
make the grade, but believe me
only about say 3 or so in a hundred do. A parent should
not feel guilty or ashamed if a
kid does not make the Gymi
level. Some kids are motivated
to learn but others are say lazy,
game a lot or sit in front of a
TV. I was a Swiss Gymi Teacher
here in Zurich so know very well
what I am talking about. One
also needs to know that all jobs/
professions here are respected
for the country to function and
things to run smoothly. Hope this
helps you. But do not feel bad,
ashamed or.... This is an internal
feeling coming from a parent or
parents.
@@111-w9d7y I don't agree. I think kids can achieve higher with the right instruction and motivation from their teachers and encouragement from their parents. It's the swiss culture, not an absolute truth, that kids are considered innately gymi material or not. I couldn't disagree with this idea more. If gymi suitability is a generic or God-given trait, then it's an excuse to not properly teach all the other children that have no chance. I think that's ridiculous. The system puts children in virtual boxes very early on their school career, which is not only unfair but detrimental to the development of all children. We should be trying to bring all children forward, to reach and exceed their potential, not tell them where their ceiling is. Not every kid that doesn't make gymi is lazy. I hear this stereotype all the time. They are young children, still maturing and finding their way, not young adults who have a clear vision of their future. Most 12 year olds are playful and immature and shouldn't have to be so serious at that age. They have a lifetime of boring work ahead of them, what's the hurry? Also, I don't think it's helpful or fair to say that children from certain countries perform poorly. This is a sweeping generalization based on bias, not statistics, unless you have some to cite. Of course, going to school in your second language makes things difficult for both the student and teacher. But it's not a barrier to gymi entry, just a hurdle. Lastly, if all gymi students were productive geniuses saving the world, then I'd accept the system as is. But lots drop out, never go to uni, take low level pointless jobs, etc. That's their free choice, whatever. But gymi is certainly not a guarantee for success or happiness or a benefit to the Swiss culture and economy as a whole. I think we should always look for ways to improve our systems, not dig our heels in to defend an old way of doing things simply because it once was useful. Things change.
@@SwissFamilyFun spoken well. we moved here last summer and my son is in 2. Kindergarten. Already sees and feels how the entire education system is trying to go forward with more preferable kids.
@@111-w9d7y So in your experience as a Gymi teacher, when you say that "about 3 out of a 100 foreign kids make the grade for Gymi", what's the proportion out of 100 Swiss kids that make the grade?
first of all the presentation is just bad and your talking is not very founded knowledge please present with grafic iand beginn with the map where their are in a city or else where
i must help you out and publish with a real source and the way what is a real help
verena
CCP partner sad