What does the City of Zurich do as an employer to promote German for its foreign-language employees? Two portraits provide an insight into the funding measures of "Immobilien Stadt Zürich" (IMMO) and the "Alterszentren der Stadt Zürich" (ASZ) – and provide inspiration for imitation.

Around 2000 municipal employees have a "certain need for German promotion" as foreign speakers. This was the result of the survey of HR managers on the subject of "German at the Workplace 2015", which was evaluated at the beginning of 2016.

Promoting German − a concern of our city
According to the survey, only 221 employees have attended individual German language support measures. "Compared to the effect that language support in the workplace has on the economic viability and integration of migrants, this is not enough," argues Barbara Thurnher. In addition, the promotion of German in the workplace is one of the integration policy goals 2015–2018 of the City of Zurich and is therefore also actively supported, continues the project manager language promotion at Urban Development Zurich.

German learning is fun and benefits everyone
Those responsible at Immo are convinced of this. Your German courses are open to all foreign-language employees. As described in the article German is more than a further education , not only the employees, but also the professional and social environment benefit from a higher German competence.

The following film about the courses at the retirement centres of the City of Zurich (ASZ) also shows that learning German can be fun. Language is a central element of communication with the residents, but also with their work colleagues. Therefore, the courses, which are tailored to the caregivers of all levels, aim at a more precise and sensitive handling of the language in everyday care. The fact that concrete everyday dialogues are practiced is clearly noticeable after attending the courses, says Cornelia Rüther, Staff Unit Support and Maintenance of ASZ and contact person for the courses. 

Correct German in the workplace is good for everyone
Barbara Thurnher, Project Manager for Integration Promotion of the City of Zurich, would like to see a wide range of German language support measures in the workplace. Experience has shown that German language skills can be improved particularly sustainably not only in courses, but especially in everyday working life, "en passant", so to speak. Namely, when superiors create practical learning opportunities in the company. Or if they consciously pay attention to a simple but correct German. "Incidentally, German-speaking employees often also benefit from this," she knows from various feedbacks. Supervisor training therefore remains a central concern of language development in the workplace.