German for Healthcare

Who is this course suitable for?

Why learn German for healthcare professionals in Zurich?

Switzerland, and particularly the Canton of Zurich, is desperately seeking nursing staff. Hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, and Spitex organizations have open positions but too few applicants.

For people from abroad who want to enter the healthcare sector here, this is a great opportunity. However, without solid German language skills, entry will be difficult. That’s why Wordculture offers this specialized course “German for Healthcare.”

Do you want to work in Swiss healthcare?

Would you like to work as a care worker but don’t yet have a qualification? That’s not a problem. This German course for care professions is a great place to start.

You will learn the basics of specialized healthcare terminology and can use this to prepare for training or an apprenticeship in the healthcare sector. The course is aimed at career changers as well as people from abroad whose first language is not German.

Communication in daily healthcare practice

In daily healthcare practice, every word counts. Things often happen quickly and hectically. Sometimes it’s a matter of seconds. In addition, many people also speak dialect instead of High German. In your daily work, you need to be able to understand patients, give simple instructions, and pass on information.

With the right specialized language for healthcare professions, you communicate confidently and feel more self-assured when dealing with patients, relatives, and within the team. In the German course for healthcare professionals from abroad, you will practice exactly these situations and gain confidence for your professional life.

What you will learn in the course

In the course, you practise specialist vocabulary and real-life scenarios from everyday care work: conversations with patients and relatives, handovers, documentation and emergency situations. This foundation helps you communicate with greater confidence in your day-to-day work.

In addition to specialized healthcare terminology, you will also learn Swiss German expressions and cultural peculiarities.

Course Content

Swiss German in daily healthcare practice

Many Swiss patients speak Swiss German in everyday life. Therefore, it is essential to know the most important words used in hospitals, nursing homes, or by Spitex. This will make it easier for you to get started and give you more self-confidence right from the beginning.

Your benefits at Wordculture

Recognised by the City of Zurich
Free participation with KulturLegi*
Small groups for more speaking time and feedback
Maximum flexibility: participate online or on-site
Accredited examination center since 2013
Certified instructors for healthcare

Hybrid Course: Maximum Flexibility

Thanks to modern technology, you can attend lessons online — for example via your phone or tablet from home — or in person at the school.

Shift work, illness, or simply too much stress? No problem! If you cannot attend a lesson, we will provide you with a video recording of the class, and you can catch up on the missed content through self-study.

Professional teachers

Our course instructors are experienced and certified DaF (German as a Foreign Language) teachers specializing in healthcare and medicine. They are familiar with daily healthcare practice in Switzerland and know what linguistic challenges you will face in your professional life. The lessons are practical, interactive, and tailored to your needs.

Terms of participation and costs:

Cost: 5 CHF per lesson / 430 CHF total incl. course book

Refund: Free for people with a KulturLegi and residence in the City of Zurich, if you attend at least 70% of the course time

Why Wordculture?

Small groups for maximum results

Max. 6 people for plenty of speaking time and fast results

Professional Teachers

Qualified, experienced, and specialized in adult education

Partner of the City of Zurich

Approved and recommended by the City of Zurich

KulturLegi Discounts
Family Discounts

Discounts on all language courses – also for the whole family

Course Details

Duration:

February – September or September – February

Next course:

Holidays:

Official school holidays of the City of Zurich

Meetings

40 meetings of 100 min. / 80 lessons of 50 min

Course days:

Monday and Wednesday

Times:

4:00 PM – 5:45 PM

Price Per

Per lesson: 5 CHF / total 430 CHF incl. course book

Completion:

Certificate of attendance or official language certificate after successfully passing the telc B1 exam

Exam & Language Certificate:

Upon request, you will receive a certificate of attendance after the course. Optionally, you can take a recognized language exam directly with us:

telc Deutsch A2-B1: Specifically for Switzerland
fide-test: Swiss language exam

We also offer preparation courses for all telc exams and fide-tests.

How do I get my money back?

If you hold a KulturLegi card and have attended at least 70% of the course, the City of Zurich will reimburse the course fee upon completion. This makes the course completely free of charge.

Any questions?
We would be happy to advise you.

Career opportunities after the course

By completing this course, you improve your chances in the Swiss job market.

Possible workplaces:

Hospitals and clinics in Switzerland
Retirement and nursing homes
Spitex Switzerland
Rehabilitation centers

The course is also a first step towards finding an apprenticeship in care or having your foreign qualification recognised by MEBEKO.

Afterwards, you can continue learning German with us, or return at a later stage to progress with our German for Medical Professionals course at B2–C1 level.

Student review

I came to Switzerland from the Philippines a year ago. In the course, I learned words I need in my profession as a geriatric nurse. I learned correct sentences for real situations.

Dolores, Philippines

Register now for the German course for healthcare.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the next course take place?

The German course for care workers in Zurich runs from February to September or from September to February. In total, there are 80 lessons across 40 sessions, held every Monday and Wednesday except on public holidays. The course follows the Zurich school holiday calendar.

What German level do I need for the healthcare course?

You need a completed A2 level. Unsure? Contact us, as we offer
a free placement test on-site in Zurich, or you can take the placement test online.

How can I register?

Fill out our online registration form or contact us by email or phone. After your registration, you will receive a confirmation with all course details. For questions about dates, prices, or course content, we are happy to advise you personally.

Are there evening courses for healthcare?

This course takes place from 4:00 PM to 5:45 PM, and we offer internal childcare if needed. In the evenings, there is the B2-C1 language course German for Medicine.

Is the course recognized by Swiss institutions?

Yes, this training course for healthcare professionals is based on the Common European Framework of Reference and prepares for the recognized telc German or fide-Test exams. As an official partner of the City of Zurich, hospitals, clinics, and Spitex organizations in Zurich know and value our courses.

Do I already have to work in healthcare?

No. The course is suitable for new entrants to the profession, trainees, or experienced nursing staff whose first language is not German.

Further information

German Flyer
for Healthcare Professionals

My first words
for healthcare