I agree with some of the others, it's all about the teacher. I had a young teacher (same age as me, 25) who was my teacher for both parts of A1 and 1 part of A2. I took this course semi-intensive (2 nights a week) at the Oerlikon schule. She was amazing! So interactive and creative, she really went above and beyond to find interesting and useful resources. Classes were always varied and included a lot of speaking time. I ran into her on the train a few times, and we would talk like friends. Then, this Augst I had an intensive A2/2 course (5 mornings a week) and could not have been more bored. The class was dry (also, the new books are such a snorefest, I really miss the swiss content!) and the teacher was stuck in her ways. I couldn't wait for the course to finish. That said, my first experiences in 2009-2010 were amazing, and I am considering going back for my B1 to give it another try. Does anyone have teacher recommendations? I don't want to give out the name of the "bad" teacher, but the "good" one I had was named Bettina.

Also, I don't think the Klubschule is slower. As said, the last class I took was an A2, and I just tested as an intermediate B1 by LSI. The language learning classification system is standardized, so Klubschule would have to really creatively skirt the requirements for getting to certain levels. It's all what you make of it and the effort you put in.

Sadly, Migros had fantastic coursebooks when I began in 2009; they have since shifted to a book (with better pictures) that is made for a German speaking audience in Germany (no more swiss references, or important swiss exceptions/vocabulary). That said, the books are clear, use good use of pictures and the corresponding handouts are helpful and easy to use (though a snorrrrefest at times, but alas, that is German learning).

Attended :

6 months , intensive , everyday courses : A1 1/1 all the way to the B2 level with Migros Klubschule in St.Gallen .

Quality :

Read pretty bad reports here about MK , but it worked for me . It was not easy ! , but it was not impossibly hard .
As for the teachers , we had the same 2 throughout . One was professional , working full time , and been doing it for years , the other was newbie in comparison , but they completed each other in a nice way .
Migros infrastructures were very solid , serious . Not cheapo' , cutting corners at all .

Classes :

I was amazed to see how varied are the classes when it comes to students . The students became scarce as the level increases . From full class , namely 12 students , in A1 1/2 , to 5 in B1 2/2 .
As for the students , I have been to classes which were all men , all women , unmotivated asylees who get this course paid by the Gemeindehaus , all the way to highly motivated engineers and informatikers . Even in unmotivated classes , one can learn a lot . The atmosphere was industrious and serious . 20 minutes break were always 20 minutes .

Will continue ?

Yes

Will recommend to others ?

For this price , I think you get a decent deal . It's really up to you what you make out of it . And , there can always be better ( private lessons ? )
havent been to other schools , but like I said , it worked for me .

Good luck !

I've done 3 months at the one in Kalkbreite. I found my A2 course slow but I think it is because I'm just not feeling the teacher. We had a guest teacher for a week and I learned more than I had in all of the classes.

The coursebooks we use are the swiss editions of german books.

I think, as with all language courses, you get what you put in. Some schools make it easier for you, sometimes you luck out with an awesome teacher, but in the end it all depends on you...