German Alpha: Alphabetization/literacy courses (S-03-023)

The defined target audience primarily consists of refugees in the integration process of the canton of Zurich, as well as provisionally admitted individuals.

Participants are unfamiliar with the Latin alphabet and have a German language level of A0.

• Age: 16 to 65 years (working age)
• Place of residence: canton of Zurich or neighboring regions
• Education: Generally low-skilled participants, both accustomed and unaccustomed to schooling
• Interests: Participants need support and preparation for integration into Swiss society, the Swiss education system, and the labor market.
• Values: Participants differ significantly in professional and educational backgrounds, experiences, attitudes, and motivation. There is a great deal of heterogeneity within the target group. They vary in socio-cultural identity, as well as demographically (age, gender, culture, origin, and educational background).
• Diversity: People of all ages, with disabilities, from different ethnicities and religions, and of various sexual orientations are welcome. Benedict School ensures gender-neutral instruction and promotes diversity and tolerance.

Placement Test: Participation in a literacy course is determined by the results of a placement test before the course starts.

The aim of the alphabetization/literacy program is to provide the participants with functional literacy while simultaneously imparting German language skills at Level A1.1. During this time, the participants will acquire sufficient reading and writing skills, as well as learning strategies to enable them to transition into an appropriate German course.

The literacy courses are designed to familiarize the target audience of primary illiterates with functional literacy.

Achieving Level A1.2 throughout the entire literacy course, as well as preparing for regular A1.1 and A1.2 courses for learners unaccustomed to schooling, is considered a realistic linguistic objective.
Since numeracy, along with reading and writing skills, are fundamental linguistic abilities necessary for everyday life in Switzerland, the participants will also gradually acquire basic knowledge in everyday mathematics, as well as in information and communication technology (ICT).

An internal placement test is conducted before the final class/module enrollment.

Various learning and working methods, based on the fide approach, supported by digital learning formats, and individualized reinforcement options for participants unaccustomed to formal education.

A certificate of participation is provided upon completion of the module, including:

• Information about the course type, course dates, and number of lessons
• Module content
• Achieved literacy level
• Achieved language level (oral) in half-levels according to the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)

A maximum of 10 participants.

Each module lasts 10 weeks, Monday to Friday, with 3 lessons of 50 minutes per day (15 lessons per week).

Monday to Friday

Morning option: 9:00 AM – 11:50 AM
Afternoon option: 1:00 PM – 3:50 PM

Course Start 2025
13.01.2025 / 27.01.2025 / 17.02.2025 / 
10.03.2025 / 31.03.2025 / 05.05.2025 / 
26.05.2025 / 16.06.2025 / 11.08.2025 /
01.09.2025 / 22.09.2025 / 20.10.2025 /
10.11.2025 / 01.12.2025