German language courses
The Modern Languages Laboratory (LLM) is the USI University language centre. It offers German language courses from A1.1 level up to C1.1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Each course aims to develop oral and written comprehension and oral and written production skills.
The courses are free of charge and are open to the entire academic community of Università della Svizzera italiana.
Who we are
Modern languages laboratory Lecturers
German language supervisor
USI German language lecturers
Location and schedule
The courses take place on the Lugano and Mendrisio campuses. The timetables and classrooms will be communicated to students a few days before the start of the course.
Entrance test
All higher-level courses require knowledge of the material covered in other courses. A final decision on admission can therefore only be taken after the entrance test organised on the first day of the course.
End-of-course test
Various assessment procedures are planned during the course, including an end-of-course test.
CEFR level
Knowledge of the CEFR levels allows you to assess your initial language skills and to enrol in the language courses best suited to your needs.
CEFR self-assessment grid from A1.1 to C2.2
QCER online language assessment test
Conversion CEFR assessment test score
- 0 - 18: A1.1 / 19 - 48: A1.2
- 49 - 73: A2.1 / 74 - 96: A2.2
- 97 - 121: B1.1 / 122 - 144: B1.2
- 145 - 169: B2.1 / 170 - 192: B2.2
Study path
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-hour pre-semester courses before the start of the semester in both autumn (Pre-SA) and spring (Pre-SP), the first two weeks of September and the first two weeks of February.
- Semester courses of 28, 42 or 56 hours with 2, 3 or 4 hours per week during both Autumn semester (SA) and Spring semester (SP) with the same number of hours of self-study.
1st year | Autumn semester | Spring semester | 2nd year | Autumn semester | Spring semester | |||
Livello di partenza |
Pre-SA |
SA |
Pre-SP |
SP |
Pre-SA | SA |
Pre-SP |
SP |
A0 / A1.1 |
A1.1 |
A1.2 |
A2.1 |
A2.2 |
B1.1 | B1.1 | B1.2 | |
A0 / A1.1 |
A1.1 | A1.1 | A1.2 | A2.1 | A2.2 | |||
A1.2 / A2.1 |
|
A2.1 |
A2.1 |
A2.2 | B1.1 | B1.1 | B1.2 | |
A2.2 / B1.1 |
|
B1.1 |
B1.1 |
B1.2 | B2.1 |
B2.2 Wirtschaftsdeutsch B2+ |
C1.1 |
C1.2 Preparation Goethe C1 exam |
B1.2 / B2.1 | B2.1 |
B2.2 Wirtschaftsdeutsch B2+ |
|
B2.1 |
B2.2 Wirtschaftsdeutsch B2+ |
C1.1 |
C1.2 Preparation Goethe C1 exam |
Places are limited, please only register if you are serious about attending more than 75% of the course.
Withdrawal
Good course planning requires accurate data on the number of participants. In the event of an unforeseen withdrawal, it is the candidate's responsibility to inform the Modern languages laboratory before the start of the course by writing promptly to [email protected].
Official German language certification
The Goethe-Institut examination centre operates at the Università della Svizzera italiana, for information: https://www.desk.usi.ch/en/goethe-institut-exam-centre
Head of the Goethe-Institut Examination Center of Italian-speaking Switzerland and exam responsible: Claudia Moor
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
ECTS LANGUAGE COURSES
SCHEDULING AND ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR GERMAN LANGUAGE COURSES
Withdrawal
For a good planning of the courses 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].
To explore course offerings and register for a course, select the USI campus where you study/work:
(Faculty of Biomedical Sciences; Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society; Faculty of Economics; Faculty of Informatics; Faculty of Theology of Lugano)
(Academy of Architecture)