International German Teacher in Basel

I learnt French in school and also spent summers studying at the university in Montpellier. Yet every year, after four days of speaking almost nothing but French, my brain feels exhausted! Not because of the wine but because language immersion is hard work. And we speak of course also about politics and all the other hard topics.

And that’s exactly why I understand you.

Many of my clients tell me that after a day of speaking German, their heads hurt too. Learning another language can feel overwhelming. But here’s the good news: immersion works. Every time I leave France, I notice how much my French has improved in just a few days.

The same happens with German.
READ ON:

https://lnkd.in/dYPuKKwa

Der Sommer ist da! ☀️Vergiss die Sonnencreme nicht, sonst verbrennst du dich schnell.

Aber kennst du den Unterschied zwischen brennen, verbrennen und anbrennen?

🔥 brennen = Es gibt Feuer oder etwas steht in Flammen.
➡️ Die Kerze brennt.

🔥 verbrennen = Mit dem Präfix ver- bedeutet das Verb, dass etwas durch Hitze beschädigt oder zerstört wird – oder dass man sich verletzt.
➡️ Ich habe mich in der Sonne verbrannt.
➡️ Meine Nase ist verbrannt.
➡️ Das Papier ist verbrannt.

🔥 anbrennen = Etwas wird beim Kochen unten zu heiß und bekommt einen verbrannten Geschmack.
➡️ Die Milch ist angebrannt.

💡 Merktipp:
Das Präfix ver- zeigt hier oft, dass etwas Schaden nimmt oder zerstört wird.

* brennen → Feuer ist da.
* verbrennen → Hitze verursacht einen Schaden.
* anbrennen → Essen wird beim Kochen zu heiß und schwarz.

🌞 Also: Sonnencreme einpacken und die Nase schützen!
Hast du den Unterschied gekannt?

🇫🇷 Bonjour from France with Love… and a Little Bit of German 🇩🇪

Back in 2019, one of my dreams came true: I joined a sailing trip through the beautiful Cyclades in Greece. On that small sailing boat, I met the sweetest group of French people. Since then, we’ve kept a wonderful tradition, we reunite every year around 14 July, the French National Day. Every year, it feels like coming home: a beautiful house, a swimming pool, delicious French food and wine, endless laughter… and, of course, everything is in French!...

🇫🇷 Bonjour from France with Love… and a Little Bit of German 🇩🇪 Back in 2019, one of my dreams came true: I joined a sailing trip through the beautiful Cyclades in Greece. On that small sailing boat, I met the sweetest group of French people. Since then, we’ve …

With You Belong in Basel – I just made it onto their weekly engagement list by being one of their top engagers! 🎉

Last Tuesday, I had the privilege of attending the 150-year jubilee celebration of the Basel Sinfonie Orchester at the Stadtcasino Basel. An unforgettable with Gustav Mahler, 3. Sinfonie brilliantly led by conductor Markus Poschner.

Accompanied by Basler Gesangsverein, Knabenchor and Jasmin Joris.

While enjoying the performance, I was reminded of a lesson from conductor and leadership thinker Benjamin Zander, long-time conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and co-author of The Art of Possibility. Zander often speaks about a profound realization: the conductor himself does not produce a single note. His success depends entirely on the musicians in front of him. His role is to bring out the best in others and create the conditions for excellence. (Ben Zander)

One of his most powerful questions is: “How much greatness are we willing to grant people?”

That thought stayed with me throughout the evening.

Whether in an orchestra, a company, or society, remarkable outcomes are rarely the result of a single individual. They emerge when talented people work together around a shared vision.

As a consultant supporting internationals and expats on their journey to Swiss citizenship, I see a similar dynamic every day. Success is not only about passing a German exam or completing an application. It is about helping people discover their place in Swiss society, build confidence, and contribute their unique story to the community.

Just as a conductor cannot create music without an orchestra, no integration journey happens alone. It requires collaboration, trust, guidance, and the willingness to see potential in others before they fully see it themselves.

Thank you to the Basel Symphony Orchestra and Markus Poschner for an evening that was not only musically inspiring but also a reminder of what leadership, belonging, and collective excellence truly mean.

Basel Stadtcasion also has something to celebrate: 200 years.
Stadtcasino Basel Frank Horn Benjamin Zander Basler Gesangverein Markus Poschner
Basel ClassicalMusic Mahler MarkusPoschner ArtOfPossibility

Why is it so important to feel integrated in your country of choice.

I was invited to write an article for You Belong In Basel
The mission of “You Belong in Basel” is to help people feel welcome and at home in Basel, Switzerland whether they are new arrivals or long-time residents. The platform supports this by offering practical information and inspiration in areas such as Experience Basel, Settling In, Food, Health, Language Learning, Hiking & Fitness, Volunteering, Kids and becoming Swiss Citizen. Its goal is to build an open, supportive, and welcoming community for everyone living in Basel.

Three films to Understand Swiss Culture better
by Heike Reinhart GermanTestPerfectionist and Swiss Citizenship Coach
Moving to Switzerland is more than learning a language or passing a test, it’s about understanding a mindset and cultural background. Language connects us to cultural understanding. As expats, we often focus on grammar, vocabulary, and exam preparation (especially to secure your C permit / Schweizer Aufenthaltstitel), but the real integration begins when you start to feel the culture behind the language.

I was invited to write an article for
“You Belong in Basel”.

Read on here:

https://lnkd.in/eKFSy4Gz

Exclusive Summer Offer

✈️ Summer 2026 Take Flight with Air Heike Welcome on board Flight German 2026 Your exclusive invitation to the German Language Power Sessions Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard.This is a special invitation reserved exclusively for YOU. Summer is the ideal season to prepare for takeoff and gain altitude with your German. Before departure, let’s complete our pre-flight check: ❌ Are you feeling stuck and not making progress in German?...

internationalgermanteacher.wordpress.com

The mission of “You Belong in Basel” is to help people feel welcome and at home in Basel, Switzerland whether they are new arrivals or long-time residents. The platform supports this by offering practical information and inspiration in areas such as Experience Basel, Settling In, Food, Health, Language Learning, Hiking & Fitness, Volunteering, Kids and becoming Swiss Citizen. Its goal is to build an open, supportive, and welcoming community for everyone living in Basel.

My mission is to help internationals to pass their German tests (Fide, SDS, KDE, Goethe, Telc) with ease and success for secure their CH permits or apply for Swiss Citizenship.

You Belong in Basel provides very good posts to be well prepared for the Basel Stadt oder Land Einbürgerungsinterview.

Know your city...and its time zones!