TL;DR

A new FIDE exam practice app is coming soon, built specifically for people preparing for the German A1/A2 test in Switzerland. It features AI-powered speaking practice, writing exercises with instant feedback, and covers all official FIDE exam topics. Beta testers can sign up now to get free early access.

I have a confession. When I helped my husband prepare for his FIDE exam, I spent hours wishing the right tool existed.

He needed to practice speaking. Not grammar drills. Not vocabulary lists. He needed to actually open his mouth and say German words in realistic situations — making a doctor's appointment, calling his landlord about a broken heater, explaining a problem at the Gemeinde.

We tried everything. Language apps that teach you how to say "the cat is under the table" but not how to reschedule an appointment at the Migrationsamt. Textbooks written for people in Germany, not Switzerland. YouTube videos that were either too easy or way too advanced.

What he really needed was something that would simulate the actual FIDE test scenarios, give him feedback, and let him practice as many times as he wanted — at midnight after the kids were asleep, on his lunch break, whenever he had 15 minutes.

That tool didn't exist. So I'm building it.

What the App Does

The FIDE Practice App is designed to do one thing well: help you prepare for the FIDE German exam in the most practical, time-efficient way possible.

Vocabulary & Dialogues with Integrated Flashcards. All the vocabulary and real-life dialogues from my book — now interactive. Instead of just reading them on a page, you can study them with built-in flashcards, test yourself, and track what you've learned. The dialogues cover every situation you'll face in the exam: calling the doctor, talking to your landlord, registering at the Gemeinde, buying a train ticket. You can review them as many times as you need until they stick.

Short & Practical Grammar Explainers. Grammar is not the focus of the FIDE exam — communication is. But a bit of grammar goes a long way in making your sentences clearer. The app includes short, practical grammar explanations tailored to different levels. No long textbook chapters. Just the grammar you actually need, explained simply, with examples from real Swiss situations.

AI Speaking & Writing Practice. This is the feature I'm most excited about. You practice real FIDE exam scenarios out loud: describing pictures, making phone calls, having conversations about everyday Swiss topics. The AI gives you feedback and helps you improve. It's like having a patient, tireless conversation partner available 24/7. For writing, you practice the exact types of tasks from the FIDE test — filling out forms, writing short messages, responding to everyday situations — with instant feedback.

All Official FIDE Topics. The app covers every module from the official FIDE curriculum: housing, transport, health, shopping, banking and insurance, work, job search, education, authorities, media and leisure. Everything is structured around these topics, so your study time is always spent on material that will actually appear in the exam.

Progress Tracking. See which topics you're strong in and which ones need more work. Track your flashcard progress, your speaking practice sessions, and your overall readiness. No more guessing where to focus your study time.

Why I'm Building This

I love languages. I've passed exams in English, German, and French, and I genuinely enjoy the process of learning. But watching my husband struggle, I realized something that changed my perspective completely.

Most people preparing for the FIDE exam are not language enthusiasts. They're busy professionals, parents, people with full lives who need a certificate to keep their residence permit. They don't have time to sit in a classroom three evenings a week. They don't want to spend CHF 800-2,000 on a language course when they only need to reach A1 or A2.

What they need is a focused, affordable tool that lets them practice the exact skills tested in the FIDE exam — on their own schedule, at their own pace.

The speaking part causes the most anxiety. I hear it from readers all the time. People who can read German reasonably well, who understand quite a lot when they hear it, but who freeze when they have to actually speak. The only way to get past that is to practice speaking. A lot. And most people don't have a German-speaking friend who will patiently role-play a phone call to the doctor with them at 10pm on a Tuesday.

That's what the app is for.

What Makes It Different

There are plenty of German learning apps out there. Duolingo, Babbel, Busuu — they're all fine for general German. But none of them are built for the FIDE exam specifically.

The FIDE test is unique. It tests Swiss-specific scenarios. It uses a particular format (picture description, phone simulation, guided conversation). It covers a defined set of topics that are all related to life in Switzerland. And it's the exam that Swiss authorities specifically recommend for proving your language skills.

This app is built around that. Every practice scenario, every vocabulary item, every exercise is designed to match what you'll actually face on exam day. No time wasted on things that won't help you pass.

When Is It Coming?

Soon. I'm currently in the final stages of development and getting ready to launch a beta version.

And here's where you come in.

Be a Beta Tester (It's Free)

I'm looking for people who are currently preparing — or planning to prepare — for the FIDE exam to test the app before the official launch.

As a beta tester, you'll get free access to the app, and in return, I'd love your honest feedback. What works. What doesn't. What's confusing. What you wish it did differently. Your input will directly shape the final product.

If you're interested, sign up here:

I'll email you as soon as the beta is ready.

Already Preparing? Start With These

While the app is in development, you don't have to wait to start preparing. Here are resources available right now:

My FIDE German A1/A2 Exam Prep book covers all exam topics with vocabulary, dialogues, and a 90-day study plan → Available on Amazon​

Free flashcard decks, practice dialogues, and study resources are available at fide-prep.ch​

The app will build on everything in the book — think of it as the interactive, hands-on companion to the written guide.

I can't wait to share it with you.

— Magda