Università della Svizzera italiana
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French language courses

The Laboratory of Modern Languages offers French language courses from level A1 to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Each course aims to develop comprehension and production skills, both oral and written.

 

French language courses open to USI community free of charge

 

Language courses open to USI Alumni and students from other Swiss universities fee-based

 

Language courses open to external users fee-based

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  • Why is it important to learn French?

    • French is one of Switzerland's four national languages;
    • French is the first language of over 23 per cent of the population;
    • Multilingualism is fundamental in Switzerland;
    • A good knowledge of French broadens your study and career opportunities in Switzerland and abroad;
    • An officially recognised certificate is a requirement for admission to universities in French-speaking Switzerland and other French-speaking countries such as France, Belgium and Canada;
    • The knowledge of the language could be a requirement for university mobility programmes;
    • A good knowledge of French is essential for professional integration not only in French-speaking cantons but throughout Switzerland. For example, the Federal Act on Medical Professions (LPMed) requires all future doctors to have the necessary language skills to practise their profession.

  • Study path - French language

    The table shows the possible language paths according to the starting level and the development of skills over two years. The language offer includes:

    • Intensive 60-hours pre-semester courses prior the start of the semester either in Autumn (Pre-AS) or Spring (Pre-SS), the first two weeks in September and the first two weeks in February;
    • Semester courses of 28 or 56 classroom hours with 2 or 4 hours per week during the Autumn Semester (AS) and Spring Semester (SS) with the same number of hours of self-study.

     

    For a complete view of the content on your phone, please switch to landscape mode.
    Places are limited, please only register if you are serious about attending at least 75% of the course.

     

    Starting level

    Sem. 1, Pre-AS

    Sem. 1, AS

    Sem. 2, Pre-SS

    Sem. 2, SS

    Sem. 3, Pre-AS

    		 Sem. 3, AS

    Sem. 4, Pre-SS

    		 Sem. 4, SS

    A0

    A1.1

    A1.2

    A2.1

    A2.2

    Français de la mode (A2-B1)

    		   B1.1   B1.2

    A2

     

    A2.1

     

    A2.2

    Français de la mode (A2-B1)

    		   B1.1 B1.1 B1.2

    B1

     

    B1.1

    B1.1

    B1.2

    		 B2.1

    B2.1

    		  

    Preparazione esame DELF B2
    B2 B2.1

    B2.2

    Cercle de lecture Goncourt

    		  

    Preparazione esame DELF B2

     

    		  

     

    		    

     

    CEFR level

    To identify the course best suited to your needs, it is recommended that you assess your language level by consulting the grid and completing the assessment test below:

  • ECTS credits

    Some study programmes (Bachelor’s and Master’s) allow students to earn ECTS credits if the following conditions are met:

    • attending at least 75% of the classes for national languages (French, Italian, German) or at least 80% for English

    • passing the final test of the chosen language course.

    Check below whether your programme allows you to receive ECTS credits by taking a language course:

     

    ECTS All Faculties

     

    ECTS Bachelor in Communication

     

    ECTS Bachelor in Lingua, letteratura e civiltà italiana

  • Linguistic official certification of the French language

    There are six official levels of proficiency attested by the DELF (Diplôme d'Études en Langue Française) and DALF (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française) diplomas, which assess mastery of the French language. The DELF DALF Graubünden and Ticino Examination Centre is located in Bellinzona.
    For information: Centre d'examens DELF DALF Grisons et Tessin.

    In September 2026, a DELF and DALF exam session will also be available at Università della Svizzera italiana.

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