French as a Foreign Language

The Maison des Langues offers French as a foreign language (FLE) courses exclusively open to members of the university community: UNIGE, IHEID, HES-SO Geneva, HUG. (Only the French Summer Courses are open to the external public).

 

These courses can be general, theme-based or specialized.

 

General language courses aim to develop language skills in oral and written comprehension, oral expression and interaction, as well as in grammar and vocabulary, depending on the targeted level: beginner (pre-A1, A1) elementary (A2), intermediate (B1, B2) or advanced (C1, C2).

 

Complete Beginner Course pre-A1

Beginner Course A1

Elementary Course A2

Intermediate Course I B1

Intermediate Course II B2

Advanced Course C1

Advanced Course C2

Summer French Courses pre-A1, A1, A2, B1, B2, C1

The theme-based language courses allow you to deepen a specific aspect of the language (grammar, conversation, argumentation, synthesis, spelling, textuality, etc.), depending on the targeted level, and relate to specific socio-cultural subjects. They also serve as a support for working on the language (work on oral and written comprehension and production skills, as well as on grammar and vocabulary, using a theme-based or task-based approach). Some courses also prepare to a specific language certification.

 

Grammar and Vocabulary Games Pre-A1

Discover Geneva and Switzerland A1

Switzerland and the French-speaking world A2

Speaking B1

Grammar B1

Writing B1

Writing-Grammar B1

Speaking B2

Everyday French B2-C1

Grammar B2, with workshop

Grammar C1

 

Specialized language courses focus on specialized languages at an intermediate/advanced level (B2, C1), such as language for specific purposes (for academic or professional purposes) or language of a particular field (economics , education, science, etc.).

 

Argumentation B2

French for Academic Purposes B2

French for Professional Purposes B2-C1

French for Academic Purposes C1

Synthesis and argument C1

 

EXCHANGE STUDENTS AT UNIGE

 

As part of your mobility stay at UNIGE, you can attend up to 4 hours per week (2x2h) each semester of French as a Foreign Language (FLE) courses free of charge, offered by the Maison des Langues (MdL).

 

How does is work ?

 

First, create your Maison des Langues account, then complete your profile, take the placement test, and finally choose your courses. 


1) Create your Maison des Langues account

Registration for Maison des Langues courses is done on our registration platform. Please note that the MdL account is different from your UNIGE account.

 

2) Complete your profile

Once you have created your account and filled in the basic information, you must upload your letter of invitation from the University of Geneva, then enter your SIUS number provided by the Academic Mobility Service (SMAC).


3) Register for the language test

This test is mandatory and free the first time you take it. It will take about 30 minutes and will allow you to choose the courses best suited to your level.

 

4) Choose your 2 french courses

 

You can attend for free:

 

 1 general french course (2h per week)

+

1 thematic/specialized french course (2h per week).

 

General courses are designed to train overall language skills : speaking, writing, listening, vocabulary, grammar

Thematic and specialized courses are designed to train specific themes and skills : academic French, oral communication, etc.

 

Places are limited and assigned on a first come, first served basis.


You cannot attend two general courses, two thematic/specific courses, or more than two courses free of charge. If you still wish to do so, you must pay the reduced student fee (this also applies if you wish to take english, german, spanish, italian and russian courses : click here to see all the courses offered by Maison des Langues ).


Courses are organized according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The course level indicated in the title corresponds to the target level (for example, a course entitled B1 is designed for students who typically have already reached level A2 and are aiming to achieve level B1)

 

Enrolment deadlines

 

Fall semester: until September 17, 2025 (inclusive)

Spring semester: until February 18, 2026 (inclusive)

 

Pay close attention to these dates and make a note of them in your calendars. Every year, students miss their registration deadline and are unable to validate their credits.

 

Change or cancel requests

 

You can request a cancellation or change, but only once. Therefore, if you want to change courses, make sure it is the right one, that you do not have other courses at the same time, and that there are places available.

Requests must be submitted via the enrollment. Here too, please note that the deadlines are very strict :

 

September 28, 2025 (Fall semester)
March 1, 2026 (Spring semester)

 

Withdrawals should be made as early as possible so places can be reassigned.