Valais Immersion
A different way to learn German: individual, active and intensive
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Language
The languages of Valais: one canton, two cultures
Valais is a bilingual canton where German and French coexist harmoniously. While German is spoken in the Upper Valais from Gletsch to Salgesch, French is the main language in the Middle and Lower Valais from Sierre to Saint-Gingolph.
Thanks to the exchange with people from the other part of the canton and the international clientele, Valaisans are generally familiar with several languages. In the major tourist centres such as Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Crans-Montana and Verbier, English and other languages are also widely spoken.
Linguistic and cultural richness
The approximately 80,000 German-speaking inhabitants of Upper Valais are deeply attached to their traditional dialect, ‘Walliserditsch’, which is also their everyday language.
In French-speaking Valais, some people still speak Patois, a Franco-Provençal dialect that varies from village to village in terms of vocabulary and pronunciation. Although this language is little used today, its preservation and transmission are actively promoted by the Fondation du Patois. The foundation also organises language courses and cultural events to strengthen Patois in the long term: www.patois.ch.
Integrating through language learning
Valais is a multicultural and welcoming canton where language builds bridges between regions and people. Learning German or French means opening yourself up to local life and making integration easier.
Many municipalities. especially in the French-speaking part of Valais, support newcomers with language courses. Several schools and local initiatives offer courses where you can learn German or French or improve your skills.