My German sucks but I get by. I've been here for a couple of years and I understand a bit of Swiss German but, boy, what harsh language. Worlds apart from German.

Sure after a few years I should have fluent in German, at least high german. But how do you really learn it when you speak English at home, at work and people on the street usually (my esperience, depending on the social status the individuals) prefer to speak to you in Swissie?

It's not an excuse but really, I find that unless you hava a Swiss German girlfriend/wife, or you work in German, it is extremelly challenging to improve you language skills.