FAQ Courses in general

Our courses are taught in a hybrid way. Students can decide before each lesson whether they would like to come to Zurich or join their course via video link. The content, exercises and teaching materials remain the same. We use “Whereby” for video conferencing which requires no account and login and works in any modern browser such as Chrome, Safari and Firefox.

We are the only German language school in Zurich known to us that specializes in fast-learning adults. Thanks to our unique features such as the hybrid course model, the money-back guarantee and the regular oral and written performance assessments, we are able to meet their specific needs.

Flexibility in terms of location (in the classroom or via video link), flexibility in terms of contracts (they can be cancelled or amended any time) and a variety of courses at different times of day means that almost anybody will find a suitable German course at Bellingua.

Our customers typically have a university degree and are highly motivated. The pace in our courses is high and through regular performance assessments we ensure that the groups remain homogeneous. We guarantee the passing of the Goethe certificate exams (see terms and conditions). The success rate of our students is practically 100%.

For beginners without any previous knowledge, new courses start every few weeks (see course starts).

Students with previous knowledge write a placement test. The course start is decided together based on the test result. Intensive courses start every Monday, semi-intensive courses every 14 days, provided there are free places in the relevant course.

You should expect about two hours of homework per day.

Yes, you can choose at any time between coming to the classroom in Zurich or joining your course via video link. We use “Whereby” for video conferencing which requires no account and login and works in any modern browser such as Chrome, Safari and Firefox.

You can access the lesson materials online so that you don’t fall behind. If you wish, you can also book private lessons to catch up on the material you missed. The missed lessons cannot be made up in another course.

If your exam grades are consistently above average, we will clarify individually whether you can skip any modules.

No, the maximum group size is guaranteed by contract and is 9 students.

No, from the start, only German is spoken in the lessons.

In case of insufficient performance (three grades below 4), one has to repeat the course or parts of the course or stop the course.

Our teachers are all permanent employees. Usually one teacher teaches a whole level (e.g. C1 = 10 weeks intensive course).

No, the courses follow a fixed curriculum that is not changed when new students join. Thanks to our placement test, this is not necessary. In special cases we support new students with private lessons to help them catch up.

You can stop your current course at any time, provided you give one week’s notice to the end of the week. If there is a space available, you can change to an evening course.

No, you can cancel the course at any time without giving any reason by giving one week’s notice to the end of a calendar week.

We have a list of places to stay, but we do not handle the booking process. We also do not arrange host families.

Yes, but we compensate for lessons that are cancelled, i.e. you get the agreed number of lessons for each week.

Yes, we can send you monthly bills at no extra cost.

We use Whereby as our video conferencing platform. You do not need an account or a special program. Whereby works with Chrome, Firefox or Safari. We will send you the link to your online classroom in advance. Here you can find detailed information on the technology.

Our courses are taught in a hybrid way. Students can decide before each lesson whether they would like to come to Zurich or join their course via video link. The content, exercises and teaching materials remain the same.

Yes, someone from the office runs a test with each new student before the start of the course to see if everything works. You will be shown the most important things and functions.

We have listed the most common problems and the solutions to them here. Our office staff will be happy to assist you if that doesn’t help.

You can access the lesson materials online so that you don’t fall behind. If you wish, you can also book private lessons to catch up on the material you missed.

The missed lessons cannot be made up in another course.