Practicalities for the USI community

English language courses - Bachelor in Communication

The Laboratory of Modern Languages is USI's University language centre. It offers English language courses from CEFR level B1.1 up to CEFR level C1.2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Each course aims to develop oral and written comprehension and oral and written production skills. The courses are free of charge for the academic community of Università della Svizzera italiana, subject to availability.

 

STUDY PATH

The courses offered are aimed at those who know the English language at B1 level and above. For a complete view of the content on your phone, please switch to landscape mode.

 

Starting CEFR level

Semester 1, Autumn term

Semester 2, Spring term

Semester 3, Autumn term

Semester 4, Spring term

Semester 5, Autumn term Semester 6, Spring Term

<B1

B1.1

B1.2

B2.1

B2.2

B2+.2

Preparing for IELTS B2-C1 (intensive)
English language and English-speaking cultures
C1

B1

B1.2

B2.1

B2 Bootcamp (intensive)
B2.2

B2+.1

Academic Writing
B2+.2
C1

Preparing for IELTS B2-C1 (intensive)
English language and English-speaking cultures
C1

<B2

B2 Bootcamp (intensive)
B2.1

B2.2

Academic Writing
B2+.2
C1

Preparing for IELTS B2-C1 (intensive)
English language and English-speaking cultures
C1

   

B2 or above

Academic Writing
B2.2
B2+.2

Preparing for IELTS B2-C1 (intensive)
English language and English-speaking cultures
C1

 

     

 

 

Workload

 

At levels B and C, semester-time general courses of 56 hours each are offered, aimed at the balanced development of the four language skills. In order to progress to the next level, completion of at least two courses per level is required. By way of example, to attain level B2 it is necessary to attend courses B2.1 and B2.2, for a total of 112 hours of in-person instruction, supplemented by at least an equal number of hours of independent study. Only upon completion of this pathway is it possible to access the courses at the next level, namely C1. The overall duration of each level corresponds to approximately one academic year. Attendance is compulsory in order to ensure adequate development of all four language skills.

 

 

ECTS LANGUAGE COURSES

 

ECTS Bachelor in Communication

ECTS Bachelor in Lingua, letteratura e civiltà italiana

ECTS All Faculties

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION

Reading the Frequently asked questions section helps to resolve doubts quickly at any time. To make it easier to find answers, the questions are divided into different topics.

Click on the FAQ button.

FAQ

 

 

The Modern languages lab offers free of charge language courses at different CEFR language levels both in the Autumn semester (SA) and in the Spring semester (SP).

CHOOSE THE SEMESTER TO EXPLORE THE COURSES OFFERED AND ALL THE RELEVANT INFO:

 

Expand All

  • Autumn Semester - English language courses offer and enrolment

    List of optional courses offered during the Autumn Semester – SA

    Click on the course to see the descriptive. For a complete view of the content on your phone, please switch to landscape mode.

    Course

    Entry level

    Period

    Lasting

    Schedule

    A.Y. 2026-2027

    B2 Bootcamp. English review and focus. Intensive course Bachelor students all Faculties*

    B1 part 2 Pre-SA 60 lesson hours 08:30-14:30 from Monday to Friday 31.08.2026 - 11.09.2026

    English language B1 part 1 priority for 1st year BCOM students (level <B1)**

    A2 part 2

    SA

    56 lesson hours

    TBC

    14.09.2026 -
    18.12.2026

     

    English language B1 part 2 priority for 1st year BCOM students (level B1)**

    B1 part 1

    SA

    56 lesson hours

    TBC

    14.09.2026 -
    18.12.2026

    English language B2 part 1 priority for 1st year BCOM students (level <B2)**

    B1 part 2

    SA

    56 lesson hours

    TBC

    14.09.2026 -
    18.12.2026

    English language B2 part 2 priority for 1st year BCOM students (level B2 or above)**

    B2 part 1

    SA

    56 lesson hours

    TBC

    14.09.2026 -
    18.12.2026

    English language B2+ part 2 priority for 2nd & 3rd year BCOM students

    B2+ part 1

    SA

    56 lesson hours

    TBC

    14.09.2026 -
    18.12.2026

    Business English 1.1 (B1-B1+). Business English course open to all, BECO Italian stream priority***

    B1

    SA

    56 lesson hours

    TBC

    14.09.2026 -
    18.12.2026

    Business English 2.1 (B1+-B2). Business English course open to all, BECO Italian stream priority***

    B1 part 2

    SA

    56 lesson hours

    TBC  14.09.2026 -
    18.12.2026

    Business English 3.1 (B2+-C1). Business English course open to all, BECO English stream priority***

    B2 part 2

    SA

    56 lesson hours

    TBC

    14.09.2026 -
    18.12.2026

    General English B2+ part 1. Course open to all

    B2 part 2

    SA

    56 lesson hours

    Mondays & Wednesdays 17:30-19:00

    14.09.2026 -
    16.12.2026
    Academic writing. Course open to all Master students B2+/C1 SA 28 lesson hours TBC 14.09.2026 -
    18.12.2026
    English language C1. Course open to all, priority Master students B2 part 2 SA 56 lesson hours

    Mondays & Wednesdays 17:30-19:00

    14.09.2026 -
    16.12.2026

    * Priority for enrolment in the Bootcamp is given to 1st year BECO students intending to join the English track. Students wishing to enter the English track who do not yet hold a B2-level English certification will be offered a Cambridge-style placement examination in September of their first year, in line with the programme’s language entry requirements. Priority is also given to BECO students who need to fulfil the programme’s English language requirements.

    ** For 1st year BCOM students, enrolment for English language courses is mandatory and is completed through the online registration form below. Students should enroll in the level they consider most appropriate (self-assessment grid). During the first week of the semester, a placement test will take place in class to assess the actual level of English proficiency. If necessary, instructors will adjust the level accordingly.
    For 2nd and 3rd year BCOM students enrolment for English language courses is mandatory and is completed through the online registration form below. For more information it is possible to contact Dr. Christopher Dawson, coordinator of the English language courses.

    *** For 1st year BECO students, enrolment for English language courses is mandatory and is completed through the online registration form below. Students should enroll in the level they consider most appropriate (self-assessment grid). During the first week of the semester, a placement test will take place in class to assess the actual level of English proficiency. If necessary, instructors will adjust the level accordingly.
    For 2nd and 3rd year BECO students enrolment for English language courses is mandatory and is completed through the online registration form below. For more information it is possible to contact Louise Bostock, English language lecturer.

     

    ONLINE REGISTRATION:

    Limited places available, please enrol only if seriously interested.

     

    Select the type of course to complete the enrolment, click on the links below:

    Pre-semester intensive English language course Autumn Semester - online enrolment

     

    Semester-time English language courses Autumn Semester – online enrolment

    Priority will be given to students on study programmes that require the attainment of B2 or B2+ level (Bachelor's degree from the Faculty of Economics and Bachelor's degree from the Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society).

     

    Withdrawal

    For a good course planning, it is very important to have precise data on the number of participants. In the event of an unexpected withdrawal, it is the candidate's responsibility to inform the administration before the start of the course by writing to [email protected]

  • Spring Semester - English language courses offer and enrolment

    List of optional courses offered during the Spring Semester – SP

    Click on the course to see the descriptive. For a complete view of the content on your phone, please switch to landscape mode.

    Course

    Entry level

    Period

    Lasting

    Schedule

    A.Y. 2026-2027

    Preparing for IELTS B2-C1. Intensive course open to all, registration via link below

    B2 part 2

    Pre-SP

    60 lesson hours

    09.00-15.00 from Monday to Friday

    08.02.2027 - 19.02.2027

    English language B1 part 2, priority for 1st year BCOM students (level <B1)*

    B1 part 1

    SP

    56 lesson hours

    TBC

    22.02.2027 – 04.06.2027

    English language B2 part 1, priority for 1st year BCOM students (level B1)*

    B1 part 2

    SP

    56 lesson hours

    TBC

    22.02.2027 – 04.06.2027

    English language B2 part 2, priority for 1st year BCOM students (level <B2)*

    B2 part 1

    SP

    56 lesson hours

    TBC

    22.02.2027 – 04.06.2027

    English language B2+ part 1, priority for 1st year BCOM students (level B2 or more)*

    B2 part 2

    SP

    56 lesson hours

    TBC

    22.02.2027 – 04.06.2027

    Business English 1.2 (B1-B1+) - Business English course open to all, BECO Italian stream priority**

    B1 part 1

    SP

    56 lesson hours

    TBC

    22.02.2027 – 04.06.2027

    Business English 2.2 (B2) - Business English course open to all, BECO Italian stream priority** B2 part 1 SP 56 lesson hours TBC 22.02.2027 – 04.06.2027
    Business English 3.2 (B2+C1) - Business English course open to all, BECO English stream priority** B2 part 2 SP 56 lesson hours TBC 22.02.2027 – 04.06.2027

    General English B2+ part 2 - Course open to all

    B2+ part 1

    SP

    56 lesson hours

    Mondays & Wednesdays 17:30-19:00

    22.02.2027 – 02.06.2027

    English language C1. Course open to all, priority Master students

    B2+ part 2

    SP

    56 lesson hours

    Mondays & Wednesdays 17:30-19:00

    22.02.2027 – 02.06.2027

    English language and English-speaking cultures - Academic course. BCOM students, enrolment on GESTU. 

    B2 part 2

    SP

    56 lesson hours

    TBC

    22.02.2027 – 04.06.2027

    *For BCOM students, the courses continue during the Spring Semester. Enrolment for English language courses is mandatory and is completed through the online registration form below. For other information, please contact Dr. Christopher Dawson, coordinator of the English language courses.

    ** For BECO students, the courses continue during the Spring Semester. Enrolment for English language courses is mandatory and is completed through the online registration form below. For other information, please contact Louise Bostock, English language lecturer.

     

    ONLINE ENROLMENT:

    Limited places available, please enrol only if seriously interested. All USI members registration is via the online registration form below:

     

    Pre-semestral intensive English language course – Spring Semester – online enrolment

     

    Semester-time English language courses Spring Semester – online enrolment

     

    Withdrawal

    For a good course planning, it is very important to have precise data on the number of participants. In the event of an unexpected withdrawal, it is the candidate's responsibility to inform the administration before the start of the course by writing to [email protected]

Updated on: 02 June 2026