- Federal Councilor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider opened the first national exchange week in the Zurich State Museum.
- This week, 2,500 students from 132 school classes will travel across language borders.
- The aim is to specifically promote language exchange in schools.
- The exchange week takes place as part of the 175th anniversary of the Federal Constitution.
“Dear students, getting involved in another language is always tiring,” said Baume-Schneider during her speech. “Thank you for stepping out of your comfort zone.” Unfortunately, there was no language exchange when she was at school, Baume-Schneider said.
But her son was in Basel. There he was allowed to eat “all kinds of chips” for the first time, which were not available in their household. “It’s not just about language, it’s also about behavior.”
Zurich and Vaud sign agreement
On Tuesday, Zurich and Vaud will sign a declaration of cooperation, which stipulates that all students in the two cantons should spend at least one week in a different language region during their primary school years. A second opening ceremony for the exchange week took place in Prangins (VD), the other location of the National Museum. National Council President Martin Candinas (center) was present there.
Legend:
During the exchange week, for example, students from Vaud will meet classes from Zug and students from Friborg will visit the canton of Zurich.
Keystone/GAETAN BALLY/Symbol image
The exchange between the different parts of the country is also a topic on the SRG channels this week: On Tuesday and Thursday, presenters from the German-language SRF, the western Swiss RTS and the Romansh RTR will swap places for one evening.