Frequently asked questions

Are you wondering what to expect during the Filolo language stay? Are you still unsure – should I really go? I don't know anyone there and that sounds like school during the holidays. No worries! It's a bit the same for everyone. And it definitely won't be like school. At the Filolo language camp you will:

- Make new friends
- Laugh a lot
- Improve your French, English or German without feeling like in school
- Participate in sporting and creative activities and go on exciting excursions
- Discover new places in Western Switzerland
- Eat like a queen or a king
- Coming back like, “Wow, that was way cooler than expected!”

No “madame” or “sir”. We are on equal terms with each other. Our team members are in the camp to experience an unforgettable time with you. Many of us take extra vacation time to be at camp and get away from our everyday lives. Because a language camp is such a positive experience that you will always remember fondly!

- Make new friendships
- Laugh a lot
- Improve my French, English or German without feeling like you're at school
- Participate in fun activities & exciting excursions
- Discover new places and French-speaking Switzerland
- Eat like a queen or king
- Go home with the feeling: “Wow, that was way cooler than expected!”

We are on equal terms and chat a lot with each other. Everyone makes mistakes, even a teacher or Superman. So no stress at all!

“My wanting häve fun!” It sounds funny and wrong at first BUT everyone understands what is meant!

That is exactly our approach to language teaching. We want to show you that a language is not mathematics. There is no right or wrong. A language is alive. Only those who dare will be understood!

We will discover that even with “I’m so bad at grammar” or “I don’t know any vocabulary” you can say, tell and experience sooooooooo much. We want to discover how simple speaking a language actually ca be. In a few days we won't be able to speak like a genius. But we release blockages and knots in our heads. We are no longer afraid to say anything.

We also learn a few learning strategies and tips for at home. And maybe in the future you will suddenly go to school in French, German or English with a different motivation.

You will arrive at the camp around 4pm on Sunday afternoon. We start with a short tour of the camp, a welcome round and show you your room. After dinner at 6:45 p.m., the language tests and getting-to-know-you games await. Bedtime is at 10:30 p.m.

At first you may feel a bit strange/alone/overwhelmed, but that will pass quickly. At the latest after the introductory games you will find new friends and colleagues of your age who probably even have the same interests as you!

We eat what tastes good! Fresh, healthy - but also with the necessary portion of vacation: We do a BBQ, sometimes eat fondue, raclette & burgers. Pizza, pasta & lasagne anyway. And sometimes it gets exotic: Peruvian, Asian, Mexican, African, Indian...

Always with a colorful salad buffet and vegetarian and vegan options. To drink there are homemade iced teas, infused water, apple spritzer and, for once, a Cola or Rivella on Friday at the disco.

It might be your child's first “big trip” alone. We make sure that your daughter/son has a contact person who is there for questions, worries, homesickness or other concerns. You are welcome to write or call us in advance and we will discuss the details. We keep a special eye on the younger or shy without them noticing.

No child is left alone and our supervisors make sure that every child understands all the important information. Homesickness and other fears quickly disappear; by Monday evening at the latest, the “most difficult” cases are well integrated and have found a connection. Overcoming such fears can be unpleasant for a child, but it contributes significantly to personality development.

Young people with ADHD/ADD or other “learning disabilities” often also have problems learning a foreign language. For children with learning disabilities we offer:

- Experiences of success in the language course without pressure to perform and beyond
- Small groups help with concentration
- Increased individual focus compared to school
- Language course based on children's interests
- Repetitions & learning techniques for at home

What we CANNOT offer: Learning therapy for children during the holidays. We have to be content with small successes. Time in camp is limited and we cannot address all learning issues. Every child will make progress, no matter how great it is. If your child has a reading or spelling disorder or has trouble concentrating (ADD/ADHD), we ask you to mention this when registering. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss further details personally.

Arrival: Sundays between 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m
You can bring your child to the camp individually or benefit from our accompanied train trip from Zurich HB. Boarding possible along the way by prior arrangement.

Departure: Saturdays from 3:30 p.m. You can pick up your child individually or benefit from our accompanied train journey to Zurich main station. Getting out on the way is possible by prior arrangement.

Earlier departure: A language week officially ends after the excursion on Saturday at the camp house or train station at the destination of the excursion. However, your child can leave earlier, for example on Friday after lunch or dinner or on the Saturday before the excursion.

You will receive your contact person in the camp + telephone number with the invitation form by email about 4 weeks before the start of the camp. Emergencies: If an emergency occurs in camp, we will inform you immediately. If you need to report an emergency, you can reach our camp management at any time.

Use of telephones and other electronic devices is restricted. In principle, electronic devices are only available for 30 to 60 minutes a day (before/after dinner). We not only want to experience the joy of languages, but also focus on togetherness and social learning. Exceptions: Partially on excursions/partially in the language course for teaching purposes.

The language courses in the holiday camp are primarily divided according to level. On the day of arrival we do a written and oral language test. We evaluate the results and divide according to our assessment. However, age and friendships can be taken into account.

Filolo is a neologism derived from philology. The word philology, i.e. the study of literature and linguistics in a specific language, is composed of the ancient Greek words phílos and lógos and literally means “love of language”. That's exactly what we stand for: passion for languages!

With Filolo we want to pass on our passion for languages but also for people, cultures and our interests. The FILOLO language holidays are intended to offer a multi-faceted, exciting extracurricular offer for children and young people on their doorstep. Learning languages can and should be fun. Language holidays as lively as languages themselves. Filolo - Against the “foreign” in foreign languages!

Accompanied arrival SBB: Sunday departure around 2 p.m. from Zurich main station. Boarding in Olten/Biel/Neuenburg/Yverdon/Morges possible by arrangement.

Accompanied departure SBB: Saturday departure around 3:30 p.m. to Zurich main station (arrival around 6:00 p.m.). Exit in Olten/Biel/Neuenburg/Yverdon/Morges possible by arrangement.