Expats in Switzerland understand German but hesitate to speak it

Many expats in Switzerland understand German but struggle to speak it due to shyness and a reliance on English. This phenomenon is common, with receptive language skills developing faster than productive ones, and English often serving as a convenient lingua franca in international cities. Language trainers suggest that overcoming hesitation and making an effort to speak German, even with mistakes, is key to integration and feeling a sense of belonging.