Discovering Switzerland: A Journey Through the Land of Mountains and Lakes

• English
• Special Education

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to describe the geography, culture, and economy of Switzerland.

Introduce the learning objective and explain its importance to the students.

Discovering Switzerland: A Journey Through the Land of Mountains and Lakes

What do you already know about Switzerland?

Geography

Switzerland is a landlocked country in central Europe with a diverse landscape of mountains, lakes, and forests.

Introduce Switzerland's geography and show pictures of the landscape.

Languages

Switzerland has four official languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh.

Explain Switzerland's language diversity and provide examples of each language.

Culture

Switzerland is famous for its chocolate, cheese, and watches. It also has a rich history of banking and finance.

Introduce Switzerland's culture and show pictures of famous Swiss products.

People

Switzerland has a population of around 8.5 million people, with most living in urban areas.

Provide information about Switzerland's population and living conditions.

Education

Switzerland has a highly-regarded education system, with a focus on vocational training and apprenticeships.

Explain Switzerland's education system and its emphasis on vocational training.

Politics

Switzerland is a federal republic with a direct democracy, where citizens can vote on important issues.

Provide information about Switzerland's political system and its unique features.

Economy

Switzerland has a strong and stable economy, with a focus on banking, pharmaceuticals, and tourism.

Introduce Switzerland's economy and show pictures of famous Swiss companies.

Transportation

Switzerland has an extensive public transportation system, including trains, buses, and trams.

Explain Switzerland's transportation system and its importance to the country's economy.

Tourism

Switzerland is a popular tourist destination, with many visitors coming to ski, hike, and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Provide information about Switzerland's tourism industry and show pictures of popular tourist attractions.

Famous People

Switzerland has produced many famous people, including tennis player Roger Federer, physicist Albert Einstein, and writer Friedrich Dürrenmatt.

Introduce some of Switzerland's famous people and their contributions to their fields.

Festivals

Switzerland has many festivals throughout the year, including the Lucerne Festival of classical music and the Zürich Street Parade.

Provide information about Switzerland's festivals and show pictures of the celebrations.

Food

Switzerland has a diverse cuisine, with dishes like fondue, raclette, and rösti.

Introduce Switzerland's cuisine and show pictures of popular Swiss dishes.

Sports

Switzerland is a country of sports enthusiasts, with popular activities including skiing, snowboarding, and hiking.

Provide information about Switzerland's sports culture and show pictures of popular activities.

Religion

Switzerland has a diverse religious landscape, with Christianity being the most common religion.

Explain Switzerland's religious landscape and provide examples of different religions in Switzerland.

Art

Switzerland has a rich artistic history, with famous artists like Paul Klee and Alberto Giacometti.

Introduce Switzerland's artistic history and show pictures of famous Swiss artists.

Science

Switzerland is home to many scientific discoveries and institutions, including CERN and the Nobel Prize-winning Swiss Federal Institute of Technology.

Provide information about Switzerland's scientific achievements and institutions.

Environment

Switzerland is committed to protecting the environment, with many initiatives to promote sustainable living and reduce carbon emissions.

Explain Switzerland's environmental initiatives and their importance to the country.

Swiss National Day

Swiss National Day is celebrated on August 1st each year, with fireworks, parades, and other festivities.

Introduce Swiss National Day and show pictures of the celebrations.

Conclusion

Switzerland is a diverse and fascinating country, with a rich history and culture. We hope you have enjoyed learning more about it!

Summarize the lesson and encourage students to ask questions or share their thoughts.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.