School life
In a Switzerland classroom
Local school customs vary. The best way to learn about a class's day is to ask them directly.
All country briefings
Europe · Country briefing
Switzerland
A child-friendly mission briefing for 20 November - capital, climate, school day, languages, fun facts, native animals, and five questions to ask the class on the other side of the world.
- CapitalBern
- Population~9.1 million
- Time zoneEurope/Zurich (UTC +1)
- CurrencySwiss franc (CHF)
Switzerland, with Bern marked
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Climate in November: Cold autumn moving towards winter; short daylight in the north.
The capital
Bern
Photo · Wikimedia Commons
Fun facts
What makes Switzerland a bit special.
The Matterhorn
The mountain shaped like a tooth - and like a Toblerone bar
Open lesson
The Swiss Alps
Snowy peaks, green meadows, and trains that climb to the top
Open lesson
Swiss watches
Tiny machines made with extreme care
Open lesson
Switzerland's four languages
One country, four official languages - on the same coin
Open lesson
CERN - the giant science machine underground
A 27-km circle buried under Switzerland, where scientists study the smallest things in the universe
Open lesson
The Saint Bernard dog - the mountain rescuer
A huge, gentle dog famous for helping lost travellers in the Alps
Open lesson
Tap any card to open a class-ready mini-lesson - for the teacher to walk through, or an older child to read aloud.
Native animals
Wildlife your partner class might know best.
- 🕊
A country at peace for over 200 years
Switzerland hasn't been in a war between countries for more than two centuries
Open lesson
- 🐐
The Alpine ibex - master cliff climber
A wild goat that can stand on a near-vertical wall
Open lesson
- 🐹
The Alpine marmot - the whistling guardian
A chubby ground-squirrel that whistles to warn its family
Open lesson
- 🐐
The chamois - the Alpine acrobat
Half goat, half antelope, all mountain
Open lesson
- 🦅
The golden eagle - king of the Alpine sky
A huge bird of prey that can spot a rabbit from 2 km away
Open lesson
Tap any animal to open a class-ready lesson about it.
Greetings to learn
Say hello like a local
- Hello!French
Five questions to ask
Conversation starters
- 01What does your school day look like?
- 02What do you eat at lunch?
- 03What games do you play at break?
- 04What's the weather like today?
- 05What do you wish more children around the world knew about your country?
What not to assume
Friendly cautions
- ℹSwitzerland has many regions and communities - there is no single experience.
- ℹClimate, food, and traditions can vary widely from one part of the country to another.
Culture
Food, music, sport, festivals.
Food
Music
Sport
Festivals
Tap any chip to open a class-ready lesson - what it is, why it matters, fun facts.
Reflection prompts
- “What's something you'd love to share about your school day?”
- “What's the most surprising thing you'd love to ask the other class?”
Could your class meet Switzerland?
Choose Switzerlandwhen you register - we’ll show you the time-zone feasibility.