French or German before i search for o a jobin Zurich?
Posted in Switzerland forum 31 Aug 2011, 20:02
Good afternoon,
I got the courage to send you a message, hoping to be the first in our communication.
I am 34 years, Civil Engineer,Msc, I live and work in Thessaloniki.
Currently, I am concerned something and therefore I thought I should refer to your help, hoping to help me.
In my thinking is to make an effort to seek for a job in Zyrich. The problem is tha i do not speak German.I speak English and French.(i had taken a certificate in French in 1993.As you understand ,i have some difficulties to speak th language)
Would you advise to make effort to refresh my knowledge in French or to start from the beginning to learn German; Could I communicate only in English and in French at the beginning of my residence there? Is French language enough or it is needed to learn German?
The anxiety I, as perhaps "funny" may sound to some, is important because I want to be prepeared before i search for a job in Zurich.
Thank you in advance for your time. Any communication will be particularly useful to me ...
Sincerely,
Skordaris Anastasios
Bch Civil Engineer, MSc
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No problem
posted by Lucia Italia in Switzerland forum 06 Sep 2011, 06:13
Hi!
Do not worry! English is sufficient for most jobs. A lot of foreigners do not even try to learn German. Conversely, in Zurich, French will be completely useless. (I speak French too and I have never used it in the past 8 months....but it is going to be useful in your social life.)
So go ahead and do not be scared!
This is a good place to look for jobs!
Good luck,
Lucia -
German
posted by Juan Ubide Barreda in Switzerland forum 06 Sep 2011, 08:00
Momentan i can more or less good GErman (and I can Italian too) because I have learnt this language only for Job. But I meant that it could be a trouble for me if I meet with people who speak only French or English in Zurich. Probably I'm go to Swiss if I'm hired.
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English, German, French...
posted by Mike Jones in Switzerland forum 07 Sep 2011, 04:09
Hi Skordaris,
as Lucia pointed out, Zürich is in the German region of the country; so as such French won't do you much good. I've worked in the finance sector and it's very international, so as Lucia points out English was enough. I assume Civil Engineering is international too; so English might also be enough for you. Employers at the interview would advise you what you need language-wise for the job. To prepare before you get here, I'd brush up on your English if I were you.
As for socialising, there's plenty of English speakers (whether Swiss or foreign). But I would also recommend taking a German course when you get here (plus grabbing some books/CDs etc). It definitely makes it better for shopping, restaurants, bars etc if you immerse yourself in the culture. Plus, you open up the door to many more friends.
Hope this helps
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Thank u
posted by tasos s in Switzerland forum 08 Sep 2011, 21:48
thank you very much Lucia.....I really mean that. Your advice to go ahead and to not be scared is very useful,and i ll take it as a friendly opinion....I ve already decided to improve my English (i hope that i don't make very important mistakes) and in the near future to to refresh my French.
I want to thank you once again for your answer and i hope to have a cup of coffee in Zurich some day....:)
Have a goodnight from Thessaloniki..... -
Thank u
posted by tasos s in Switzerland forum 08 Sep 2011, 21:58
Everything i posted to Lucia, also concerns to you Mike....I want to express my thanks to you too....Your opinion is close to my way of thinking.As i said to Lucia,the most important part of my preparation is to brush up my English.
I ll try to find a good job in Switzerland,and especially in Zurich. For this reason,i decided to improve my CV by starting a PhD program.
Mike, i ll try to ask for more information in the future,may I?
Thank you for you useful advices....