Taking part in the social and cultural life is a good way to become integrated. Switzerland is also known as the country of associations (Verein). Many people join an association in order to pursue a hobby together. There are clubs in all possible areas: music, sport, culture, nature and much more. You usually pay an annual fee to become a member and to be able to use the offers.

Visiting cultural events or joining an association is a good way to get to know people and, at the same time, learn about Swiss society. You can also improve your German language skills, expand your own network of relationships and be better connected in the community.

Links:

Kulturverein Szene Kloten

Stadtplatz Events

Events in Kloten

Clubs in Kloten

The pre-school group "DaZ Vorschulgruppe (Deutsch als Zweitsprache)" is for children with a migration background who do not understand or speak German one year before entering kindergarten. In the playgroup, the children are specially supported in the acquisition of the German/Swiss-German language and socialised for kindergarten entry. All parents are contacted by the school administration 18 months before the start of kindergarten and invited if necessary.

Attendance at the preschool group starts in August and lasts one school year. It takes place on two mornings for 3 hours each and has the same school holiday plan as in Kloten.

Two preschool groups run parallel German courses for adults. Mothers or fathers can learn German at the same time as the children, but separately.

If you have any questions, please contact the Migration Office of the Canton of Zurich directly.

Phone: 043 259 88 00

New immigration and integration law from 1.1.2019

In this brochure, you will find information about the most important rights and obligations of foreigners and about the importance of integration into local conditions.

• English Information Brochure AIG

Writing service and advice centre (Gleis 5)

The staff of the Information and Counselling Centre at Gleis 5 can assist you in filling out forms and writing applications. They also have a network with other centres and specialised organisations.

Monday to Friday, 13:00 to 17:00

Thursday, 13:00 to 19:00

Phone 044 881 34 13

beratung@plattformglattal.ch

Asylum support

Support for asylum seekers is given in accordance with the provisions of the Asylum Assistance Ordinance and the Social Assistance Act of the Canton of Zurich as well as the SKOS Guidelines.

Asylum support is provided from 1 July 2018 by AOZ (Zurich Asylum Organisation) in the form of social counselling and asylum support. If you would like to check whether you are entitled to financial assistance, please contact the AOZ: www.aoz.ch

In this link, you will find all the existing offers for families in Kloten.

If you are new to Switzerland and live in Kloten, we would be happy to invite you to an information meeting. Live@Kloten is the name of the project and gives our new neighbours the possibility to learn many interesting facts about Kloten and life in Switzerland in their own language.

Contact:

Lilian Navia

Integrationsbeauftragte

lilian.navia@kloten.ch

T. 044 815 12 08

In Kloten, there is an annual new residents' event (welcome event) for all residents who have recently moved into the community. You will be invited personally. The town authorities introduce the community and its facilities as well as some interesting places in Kloten. This is a good opportunity to make new contacts.

Links:
Welcome page of the Canton of Zurich

Integration has a central concern: the goal is to empower migrants to integrate into Swiss society. They should feel comfortable and manage well in everyday life. This includes, for example, taking on a job and actively participating in a social life.

The aim of integration is to ensure that the local and foreign resident populations live well together. This is based on the fundamental values of the Federal Constitution: mutual respect and tolerance.

Integration is an ongoing process that changes again and again because our society is also constantly changing. Integration can only succeed if all those involved – migrants, Swiss citizens and the authorities – take part.

Federal Office for Migration: frequently asked questions on the subject of integration

Federal Commission for Migration Issues EKM: complete definition of integration of the EKM

Anyone who wants to integrate into society as a migrant must be able to communicate. It is therefore of central importance that you learn the German language. This allows you, for example, to find a job, talk to neighbours, friends or colleagues in everyday life and actively participate in a social life. You can also help your children to learn the German language.

In Kloten, various German courses with a low entry threshold are offered. There are day courses with childcare, evening courses and Saturday courses without childcare.

The courses take place at the Pavillion of Schulhaus Dorf / Feld in Kloten. They are run by the language school "machbar Bildungs-GmbH".

You can download the registration form here, fill it in and send it directly to machbar. You will be contacted by telephone to determine your language level.

Children who come from abroad for the first time to Switzerland and who do not speak any German attend extra lessons in German (DaZ, Deutsch als Zweitsprache) in addition to the normal school classes. This applies to primary school as well as secondary level. The specifications can be found on the website in the Sonderpädagogisches Konzept.

Attending lessons in their native language and culture (HSK) is voluntary, but is recommended. There, the children expand their knowledge of the language and culture of their country of origin. Parents' associations or embassies organise these courses. The better a child speaks his or her mother tongue, the easier it is for him or her to learn German.