Are you ready to thrive in German?

By breaking down the language barrier, we will help you achieve the freedom and self-confidence you need to feel joyful and excited about your new Swiss home. 

Hand holding Swiss passport

How we work

Through years of experience, we have created our unique formula for language learning success.

Tailor made lessons

We listen to your passions and goals, and incorporate them into your needs and learning style so that lessons are interesting for you and relevant to your life. Your coach will therefore practice real-life situations in Switzerland with you – meaning you will feel inspired to try out your new skills immediately. 

We also work with a wide range of teaching materials and books adapted to the Swiss culture and language. Your coach will adapt each lesson to your needs.

Structured approach

We apply a structured approach helping you to improve step by step in all areas. We provide detailed feedback so you will improve your skills after each lesson to get you to the next level with your German.

Breaking the language down

The notorious German language does not have to be complicated – we have the expert knowledge to break it down into small logical blocks, meaning learning the grammar will feel easy and logical. Step by step, your coach will guide you through your language journey.

Holistic approach

We promote a holistic and mindful approach to language learning. We see our learners as whole individuals with emotional, social, academic, and ethical needs. It has been proven that we need to feel safe to learn well and all our coaches are lovely, handpicked experts who are trained in the Joylingua method and who would love to help you!

Just imagine that...

You feel more confident and at ease in everyday situations: speaking to neighbors, your child's teacher, or ordering at a restaurant. You genuinely connect with people.

You can easily join a conversation without having to think about it beforehand, and just get in the flow. Switching to German feels natural and easy.

You have been disappointed with language classes before but now you finally feel that you are improving fast - at your own pace and in line with your learning style.

You feel comfortable and supported by an empathetic coach who doesn't make you worry about making mistakes, who understands Swiss culture, and who speaks English.

Our Services

  • A bespoke and flexible program designed to fit your unique needs*, perfect if you simply want to improve your German.

    Lessons are in High German and are adapted to the Swiss language and culture.

    We will match you with one of our coaches based on your personality, learning style, and requirements, so you will feel well-supported, energised, and, most importantly, motivated!

    You will be led through powerful techniques and introduced to simple tools that break the learning experience into manageable, enjoyable goals.

    As a result, you will be able to communicate in German with joy and confidence and feel more connected to Swiss German culture!

    *based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

  • We specialise in helping learners pass the German language tests (Telc, Goethe, and Fide) required for Swiss residency permits or Swiss citizenship*.

    We will equip you with powerful tools and simple tips and tricks that will thoroughly prepare you for all parts of the exam. We will also help you reach the general language level needed for the exam.

    Feel confident and well-prepared when sitting the exam!

    *based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

  • We offer accredited and certified (by the International Coaching Federation) Neurolanguage Coaching® services. The bespoke Neurolanguage Coaching® program combines traditional coaching models with language learning techniques based on the latest neuroscience research according to the method by Rachel Paling, the creator of Neurolanguage Coaching® .

    Blockages in your mindset can be gently broken down, helping you feel empowered and inspired to learn the language.

    Through the use of efficient neurolanguage coaching® techniques, we will break down the German language into small and easy chunks.

    You will learn in a brain- and heart-friendly way that will help you find to get in the flow with German.

  • If you are a group, we can arrange lessons for you online or in person in our office in Stäfa. For maximum progress, we keep our groups small in size.

  • Experience a conversation lesson in nature - the change of scenery and light exercise will help you practice your German and will leave you feeling revitalised.

    You will hear and learn new phrases and sayings to help improve your fluency. We can record new vocabulary and grammar rules on your phone, so you will still have a record for after your lesson.

    Walks take place in Uetikon or Stäfa. Contact us for more information!

We are based by the Goldcoast of Zürich (Stäfa and Uetikon am See) and can offer personal or online lesson. We also offer personal lessons in central Zürich.

What our clients say:

  • “I’ve really enjoyed the lessons as Teresa makes them interesting, giving lots of tips on practical, useful phrases to help with conversation. She is also very positive and encouraging. She makes you feel at ease and goes at a pace you are comfortable with, whilst also pushing you enough to excel. An added bonus is: she is a lovely person to be around.“

    Karen Barrot from Ireland

  • “Teresa was an excellent teacher and I managed to pass the exam for my MBA last Friday that I have been studying for.  This is almost entirely due to her teaching and motivational ability. It’s been a pretty intensive few weeks of tutoring and I am thoroughly impressed/pleased  
with the quality of the teaching and my resultant exam success.“

    Tom Brinded from England

  • “I am very happy, my coach is completely the right speed/vibe for me. She never makes me feel bad when I make a mistake. I am definitely proud on what I have achieved, and I am more comfortable with German speakers in everyday situations. I am not put off by the first or two sentences and use the “Sprechen Sie Englisch” far less frequently. I am also understanding more and more when people speak Swiss German.“

    Patrick Shelley from the USA

  • “When the time came to start the preparations for A2 exam, my lessons with my coach were instrumental in getting me over the line and thanks to her assistance I have passed it with high marks.“

    Monika Krupa from Poland

  • “It’s exactly what I needed to progress. Perfect combination of consistency and flexibility. By having a custom-made program and only one devoted tutor for almost 2 years now, I know exactly where I excel and where I need improvements to achieve my goals.”

    Pawel Odrzywolek from Poland

  • “My coach is kind and patient, and I always looked forward to class. Her attention to practicing conversation and getting down the pronunciation has made such a difference for my own day-to-day use of German. She is great at tailoring the class to her students' needs and interests.“

    Amanda Hunsaker from the USA

  • “Thank you so much Teresa, I really enjoyed the classes and got a spark to learn German (which I was missing before I started the course I have to admit) so thank you again!“

    Helena from Finnland

  • “She is brilliant: inventive in her teaching methods, and endlessly patient as she listens to me mangle her language and employ a sentence construction that makes John Prescott sound like Dr. Johnson.“

    Rod Liddle from England (Sunday Times Magazine)

  • “Thanks to my lessons, I have now passed all German language tests and received my Swiss citizenship! I am a busy mom with 2 kids and Teresa is understanding and efficiently plans my lessons. She is very kind and patient and makes learning German fun.”

    Laura Isenring-Moore from the USA

  • “Guess what I had in my mailbox? My A2 Telc language certificate for my C-Permit! I couldn’t have achieved this without your commitment and diligence, thanks for being such a wonderful coach! We need to celebrate!”

    Ashley Miller from the USA

  • “Thanks to Teresa´s guidance and encouragement in every step of the way, I now feel comfortable and confident to communicate with people in my daily life in Switzerland. I am no longer fearful in social situations and am braver to try new things. Having started as a complete beginner, I am now almost B2 level and it's great to see my progress!“

    Carli Shelley from the USA

  • “I improved my level from B2 to C1! I feel so much more confident thanks to my sessions. I now notice my mistakes and I am able correct them. On top of that, I have improved my written German as well.“

    Natalia Voychuk from Russia

  • “I used to learn German at school and university, and I always struggled.  I was failing as the approach at school was "by the book". I had a couple of tutors in the past, but it did not work in the long run. With Joylingua and I finally started enjoying the process. I'm extremely satisfied both with how things are organised and my learning experience.”

    Pawel Odrzywolek from Poland

  • “I have been doing online private lesson with my coach for 8 months now, and I am very happy! She is of course a native speaker, with a lot of experience, capable of clearly explaining a complex language and above all of making it fun! She never fails to give me feedback but always does it with extreme kindness so I have a clear understanding of my learning status.”

    Giada Varvello from Italy

  • “I am now more integrated and can have deeper conversations in German with teachers, parents, local children, neighbours, etc. My German has improved a lot since starting my weekly lessons with Teresa!”

    Laura Isenring-Moore from the USA

  • “What I love most about my sessions is that: My brilliant coach also gives me one hour of pure positivity and helps me with my language learning mindset.  I feel energised and confident after each session, and I am now so motivated to work on my German.”

    Natalia Voychuc from Russia