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Italian language courses - Bellinzona Campus
BELLINZONA CAMPUS
The free of charge optional online synchronous courses are open to members of the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB) and the Institute for Oncology Research (IOR) working on Bellinzona Campus only.
Each enrolment will be verified and will only be confirmed after approval by the two institutes.
Autumn Semester
|
Course |
Entry level |
Lecturer |
Period |
Class hours |
Schedule |
A.Y. 2026-2027 |
|
Online synchronous course Level A1 part 1 |
A0 (Absolute beginners) |
Susanne Stigen Pescia |
Autumn Semester |
28 class hours + 28 self-study hours |
Tuesdays 09:30-11:00 |
15.09.2026 - 15.12.2026 |
| Online synchronous course Level A1 part 2 | A1 part 1 | Susanne Stigen Pescia | Autumn Semester | 28 class hours + 28 self-study hours | Tuesdays 08:00-09:30 | 15.09.2026 - 15.12.2026 |
| Online synchronous course Level A2 part 1 | A1 part 2 | Susanne Stigen Pescia | Autumn Semester | 28 class hours + 28 self-study hours | Tuesdays 11:15-12:45 | 15.09.2026 - 15.12.2026 |
| Online synchronous course Level B1 part 2 | B1 part 1 | Pamela Trincado | Autumn Semester | 28 class hours + 28 self-study hours | Wednesdays 09:00-10:30 | 16.09.2026 - 16.12.2026 |
Spring Semester
|
Course |
Entry level |
Lecturer |
Period |
Class hours |
Schedule |
A.Y. 2026-2027 |
|
Online synchronous course Level A1 part 1 |
A0 (Absolute beginners) |
Susanne Stigen Pescia |
Spring Semester |
28 class hours + 28 self-study hours |
Tuesdays 09:30-10:00 |
23.02.2027 - 01.06.2027 |
| Online synchronous course Level A1 part 2 | A1 part 1 | Susanne Stigen Pescia | Spring Semester | 28 class hours + 28 self-study hours | Tuesdays 08:00-09:30 | 23.02.2027 - 01.06.2027 |
| Online synchronous course Level A2 part 1 | A1 part 2 | Susanne Stigen Pescia | Spring Semester | 28 class hours + 28 self-study hours | Tuesdays11:15-12:45 | 23.02.2027 - 01.06.2027 |
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 Frequently Asked Questions button.
REGISTRATION
Select the accordion below to register online.
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Online synchronous course - Level A1 part 1 - Bellinzona Campus - Autumn semester
The Absolute Beginner Course is aimed at students with no prior knowledge of the Italian language. By the end of the course, students will be able to use simple phrases and expressions to deal with various situations in daily life.
Course Details.
- When: from Tuesday, September 15 to Tuesday, December 15 (2026)
- Schedule: 1 academic synchronous hour per week on Tuesdays from 09:30 to 10:15 a.m. + 1 academic asynchronous hour until 11:00 a.m.
- Mode: Online learning via Microsoft Teams. All online courses require a high-speed Internet service provider, a PC with a fast processor, a webcam and a microphone.
- Lecturer: Susanne Stigen Pescia
- Level: A1.1, European Council Reference Framework
Learning outcomes
Understand and use familiar everyday expressions.
Course workload
The course is spread over 14 weeks. Each week includes 1 synchronous academic hour, 1 asynchrnous academic hour and at least 2 self-study hours.
Course content
Numbers, definite and indefinite singular and plural articles, plural nouns, personal and reflexive pronouns, auxiliaries, regular and irregular verbs in the present tense, reflexive verbs, adjective concordance, possessive adjectives and pronouns, interrogatives, prepositions.
Final test
At the end of each semester, normally during week 12, 13 and 14, a two-hour written final test is organized which consists of a listening comprehension, a brief essay, a reading comprehension and several grammar exercises. An oral exam follows the week after. Passing the two exams implies the acquisition of the topics studied and the progress, in the following semester, to the next module, i.e. level A1 part 2, the second part of level A1.
Study material
The study material is available on iCorsi. The enrolment key will be handed out during the first class.
Certificate of attendance
Regular and active attendance is mandatory once admitted. Students who meet the 75% attendance requirement and pass the final exam will receive a certificate of attendance.
ECTS
The course is optional, no ects are awarded.
Enrolment
Online registration automatically enrolls participants. However, a detailed informative e-mail confirming enrollment will be sent from the language centre staff a few days before the start of each course.
Please note that as a general rule, courses will be offered only when they meet the minimum enrollment thresholds.
-
Online synchronous course - Level A part 2 - Bellinzona Campus - Autumn semester
General Information
Candidates must possess the ability to meet the essential communicative requirements of normal everyday situations. The course is intended for students who have a basic knowledge of the Italian language and have already attended an absolute beginner course recently.
How to assess your level
Italian language courses are offered in different levels corresponding to those described in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Assess your current level using the grid below:
Entrance Test
All upper-level courses require knowledge of material covered in other courses. A final decision on admission can therefore be made only after the assessment test organized on the first day. The lecturer will direct participants who have chosen the wrong level to the correct one after the first class.
The prerequisites of the second part of the A1 level course are: numbers, definite and indefinite singular and plural articles, plural nouns, personal and reflexive pronouns, auxiliaries, regular and irregular verbs in the present tense, reflexive verbs, adjective concordance, possessive adjectives, interrogatives.
Course Details
- When: Tuesday, September 15 to Tuesday, December 15 (2026)
- Schedule: 1 academic synchronous hour per week on Tuesdays from 08:00 to 08:45 a.m. + 1 academic asynchronous hour until 09:30 a.m.
- Mode: Online learning via Microsoft Teams. All online courses require a high-speed Internet Service Provider, a PC with a fast processor, a webcam and a microphone.
- Lecturer: Susanne Stigen Pescia
- Level: A1 part 2, European Council Reference Framework
Learning outcomes
Understand and use familiar everyday expressions.
Course workload
The course is spread over 14 weeks. Each week includes 1 synchronous academic hour, 1 asynchrnous academic hour and at least 2 self-study hours.
Course content
Introduction to the conditional tense, adverbs of frequency, adverbs of manner, phraseological verbs, simple and articulated prepositions, regular and irregular imperative mood, introduction to the present perfect, reflexive verbs (review), adverb of place, partitive articles, indefinites "none," "little," "some," "a little," "a lot," "too much," adjectives and demonstrative pronouns "this" and "that," irregular nouns, interrogatives (review).
Final test
At the end of each semester, normally during week 12, 13 and 14, a two-hour written final test is organized which consists of a listening comprehension, a brief essay, a reading comprehension and several grammar exercises. An oral exam follows the week after. Passing the two exams implies the acquisition of the topics studied and the progress, in the following semester, to the next module, i.e. level A2 part 1.
Study material
The study material is available on iCorsi. The enrolment key will be handed out during the first class.
Certificate of attendance
Regular and active attendance is mandatory once admitted. Students who meet the 75% attendance requirement and pass the final exam will receive a certificate of attendance.
ECTS points
The course is optional, no ECTS will be awarded.
Enrolment
Online registration automatically enrolls participants. However, a detailed informative e-mail confirming enrollment will be sent from the language centre staff a few days before the start of each course.
Please note that as a general rule, courses will be offered only when they meet the minimum enrollment thresholds.
-
Online synchronous course – Level A2 part 1 – Bellinzona Campus - Autumn semester
Course
Level: A2 part 1 or threshold, as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The course is intended for those who have an elementary knowledge of the Italian language and can therefore understand common expressions. Participants must have recently attended a complete A1 level (A1 part 1 + A1 part 2) course to enter level A2: the course is taught entirely in Italian.
How to assess one's level
Italian language courses are offered in different levels corresponding to those described in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Assess your current level of proficiency using the grid below:
Entrance Test
Final admission to the course is subject to passing the test organized on the first day. The test is intended to ascertain possession of the required level and is mandatory. If the level of knowledge of the Italian language is not sufficient, the lecturer will recommend an alternative course.
- Grammar prerequisites: definite and indefinite articles, plural nouns, irregular nouns, regular and irregular verbs in the present tense, reflexive verbs, regular and irregular imperative, adjective concordance, possessive adjectives, demonstrative adjectives and pronouns, interrogatives, use of the verb "piacere", partitive articles, use of simple and articulated prepositions, prepositional locutions, particle ci, regular past tense, adverbs of frequency, indefinite adjectives.
- Vocabulary prerequisites: numbers, days of the week, months, seasons, hours, house and restaurant vocabulary.
Course details
- When: Tuesday, September 15 to Tuesday, December 15 (2026)
- Schedule: Every Tuesday, 1 academic synchronous hour from 11:15 to 12:00 + 1 academic asynchronous hour until 12:45
- Mode: online on Microsoft Teams. All online courses require high-speed internet service, a PC with a fast processor, a webcam and a microphone
- Lecturer: Susanne Stigen Pescia
- Level: A2 part 1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
Learning outcomes
Communicate in simple, everyday tasks that require only simple and direct exchanges of information on familiar topics.
Course workload
The course is spread over 14 weeks. Each week includes 1 synchronous academic hour, 1 asynchrnous academic hour and at least 2 self-study hours.
Course content
A variety of grammar topics will be explored including the use of stare + gerund, stare per + infinitive, relative pronouns, impersonal way of speaking, the irregular past, direct and indirect pronouns, agreement of the past participle with direct pronouns, introduction to the past progressive.
Final test
At the end of each semester, normally during week 12, 13 and 14, a two-hour written final test is organized which consists of a listening comprehension, a brief essay, a reading comprehension and several grammar exercises. An oral exam follows the week after. Passing the two exams implies the acquisition of the topics studied and the progress, in the following semester, to the next module, the second part of the elementary course, i.e. level A2 part 2.
Study material
The study material is available on iCorsi. The enrolment key will be handed out during the first class.
Certificate of attendance
Regular and active attendance is mandatory once admitted. Students who meet the 75% attendance requirement and pass the final exam will receive a certificate of attendance.
ECTS
The course is optional, no ECTS are assigned.
Enrolment
Online registration automatically enrolls participants. However, a detailed informative e-mail confirming enrollment will be sent from the language centre staff a few days before the start of each course.
Please note that as a general rule, courses will be offered only when they meet the minimum enrollment thresholds.
-
Online synchronous course - Level B1 part 2 - Bellinzona Campus - Autumn semester
The Italian language courses are optional and as such are held at times compatible with the schedule of compulsory classes. The intermediate level B1.2 course is held every Wednesday from 09:00 to 10:30 remotely on Microsoft Teams.
Course details
- When: from Wednesday, 16 September to Wednesday, 16 December (2026)
- Schedule: every Wednesday, 1 hour of synchronous class from 09:00 to 10:30 and 1 hour of asynchronous class until 11:00
- Mode: remote on Microsoft Teams. All online courses require a high-speed Internet service provider, a PC with a fast processor, a webcam, and a microphone
- Lecturer: Pamela Trincado
Level
B1 part 2, according to the definition of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
Self-assessment grid of language skills
The self-assessment grid illustrates the proficiency levels described in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It is useful for measuring one’s personal knowledge in relation to language acquisition. Assess your current level of competence using the grid below.
- Griglia per l’autovalutazione (Portfolio europeo delle lingue)
- Self-assessment Grid (European Language Portfolio)
Placement test
Final admission to the course is subject to passing the test organized on the first day. The assessment test aims to verify that participants possess the required level and is mandatory. If the level of Italian language knowledge is insufficient, the instructor will recommend an alternative course.
- Prerequisites: definite and indefinite articles, periphrastic form, regular and irregular present tense, regular and irregular imperative, imperative with pronouns, regular and irregular simple future and future perfect, weak and strong direct and indirect pronouns, impersonal form, use of simple and articulated prepositions, prepositional phrases, correct use of the passato prossimo and imperfetto, trapassato prossimo, correct use of the present and past conditional.
Course objectives
Acquire a certain confidence in the use of more complex grammatical structures. At the end of the course, participants will complete an assessment test.
Workload
The course is structured over 14 weeks. Each week includes 1 synchronous academic hour, 1 asynchronous academic hour, and at least 2 hours of independent study.
Course content
Various grammatical topics will be explored in depth, including the four subjunctive tenses (subjunctive verb agreement / subjunctive and infinitive / subjunctive and indicative / subjunctive and conditional), conditional clauses, and indefinite adjectives and pronouns.
Attendance
Regular and active attendance of at least 75% of the course duration is required.
Final test
At the end of each semester, usually during the second-to-last class, a two-hour final test is organized, consisting of a listening exercise, a written production, a reading comprehension exercise, grammar exercises, and an oral exam. Passing the test confirms acquisition of the topics studied and allows students to advance, in the following semester, to the next module, the Upper-intermediate course, level B2.
Teaching materials
The Università della Svizzera italiana aims to reduce its ecological footprint; therefore, the grammar booklet is available in PDF format on “iCorsi”, an online platform supporting teaching activities:
https://www.icorsi.ch/login/index.php
Each participant must bring a laptop for the exercises.
Certificate of attendance
Regular and active attendance is mandatory. The certificate of attendance will be issued only if the student has attended at least 75% of the planned lessons and has completed the final test.
ECTS
The course is optional; no ECTS credits will be awarded.
Enrollment
The online registration request automatically enrolls participants. However, a detailed confirmation email will be sent a few days before the start of each course.
Please note that as a general rule, courses will be offered only when they meet the minimum enrollment thresholds.
-
Online synchronous course - Level A 1 part 1 - Bellinzona Campus - Spring semester
The Absolute Beginner Course is aimed at students with no prior knowledge of the Italian language. By the end of the course, students will be able to use simple phrases and expressions to deal with various situations in daily life.
Course Details.
- When: from Tuesday, February 23 to Tuesday, June 1 (2027)
- Schedule: 1 academic synchronous hour per week on Tuesdays from 09:30 to 10:15 a.m. + 1 academic asynchronous hour
- Mode: Online learning via Microsoft Teams. All online courses require a high-speed Internet service provider, a PC with a fast processor, a webcam and a microphone.
- Lecturer: Susanne Stigen Pescia
- Level: A1 part 1, European Council Reference Framework
Learning outcomes
Understand and use familiar everyday expressions.
Course workload
The course is spread over 14 weeks. Each week includes 1 synchronous academic hour, 1 asynchrnous academic hour and at least 2 self-study hours.
Course content
Numbers, definite and indefinite singular and plural articles, plural nouns, personal and reflexive pronouns, auxiliaries, regular and irregular verbs in the present tense, reflexive verbs, adjective concordance, possessive adjectives and pronouns, interrogatives, prepositions.
Final test
At the end of each semester, normally during week 12, 13 and 14, a two-hour written final test is organized which consists of a listening comprehension, a brief essay, a reading comprehension and several grammar exercises. An oral exam follows the week after. Passing the two exams implies the acquisition of the topics studied and the progress, in the following semester, to the next module, i.e. level A1 part 2, the second part of level A1.
Study material
The study material is available on iCorsi. The enrolment key will be handed out during the first class.
Certificate of attendance
Regular and active attendance is mandatory once admitted. Students who meet the 75% attendance requirement and pass the final exam will receive a certificate of attendance.
ECTS
The course is optional, no ects are awarded.
Enrolment
Online registration automatically enrolls participants. However, a detailed informative e-mail confirming enrollment will be sent from the language centre staff a few days before the start of each course.
Please note that as a general rule, courses will be offered only when they meet the minimum enrollment thresholds.
-
Online synchronous course - Level A1 part 2 - Bellinzona Campus - Spring semester
General Information
Candidates must possess the ability to meet the essential communicative requirements of normal everyday situations. The course is intended for students who have a basic knowledge of the Italian language and have already attended an absolute beginner course recently.
How to assess your level
Italian language courses are offered in different levels corresponding to those described in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Assess your current level using the grid below:
Entrance Test
All upper-level courses require knowledge of material covered in other courses. A final decision on admission can therefore be made only after the placement test organized on the first day. The lecturer will direct participants who have chosen the wrong level to the correct one after the first class.
The prerequisites of the second part of the A1 level course are: numbers, definite and indefinite singular and plural articles, plural nouns, personal and reflexive pronouns, auxiliaries, regular and irregular verbs in the present tense, reflexive verbs, adjective concordance, possessive adjectives, interrogatives.
Course Details
- When: Tuesday, February 23 to Tuesday, June 1 (2027)
- Schedule: 1 academic synchronous hour per week on Tuesdays from 08:00 to 08:45 a.m. + 1 academic asynchronous hour until 09:30 a.m.
- Mode: Online learning via Microsoft Teams. All online courses require a high-speed Internet Service Provider, a PC with a fast processor, a webcam and a microphone.
- Lecturer: Susanne Stigen Pescia
- Level: A1 part 2, European Council Reference Framework
Learning outcomes
Understand and use familiar everyday expressions.
Course workload
The course is spread over 14 weeks. Each week includes 1 synchronous academic hour, 1 asynchrnous academic hour and at least 2 self-study hours.
Course content
Introduction to the conditional tense, adverbs of frequency, adverbs of manner, phraseological verbs, simple and articulated prepositions, regular and irregular imperative mood, introduction to the present perfect, reflexive verbs (review), adverb of place, partitive articles, indefinites "none," "little," "some," "a little," "a lot," "too much," adjectives and demonstrative pronouns "this" and "that," irregular nouns, interrogatives (review).
Final test
At the end of each semester, normally during week 12, 13 and 14, a two-hour written final test is organized which consists of a listening comprehension, a brief essay, a reading comprehension and several grammar exercises. An oral exam follows the week after. Passing the two exams implies the acquisition of the topics studied and the progress, in the following semester, to the next module, i.e. level A2 part 1.
Study material
The study material is available on iCorsi. The enrolment key will be handed out during the first class.
Certificate of attendance
Regular and active attendance is mandatory once admitted. Students who meet the 75% attendance requirement and pass the final exam will receive a certificate of attendance.
ECTS points
The course is optional, no ECTS will be awarded.
Enrolment
Online registration automatically enrolls participants. However, a detailed informatiive e-mail confirming enrollment will be sent form the language centre staff a few days before the start of each course.
Please note that as a general rule, courses will be offered only when they meet the minimum enrollment thresholds.
-
Online synchronous course – Level A2 part 1 – Bellinzona Campus - Spring semester
Course
Level: A2 part 1 or threshold, as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The course is intended for those who have an elementary knowledge of the Italian language and can therefore understand common expressions. Participants must have recently attended a complete A1 level (A1 part 1 + A1 part 2) course to enter level A2. The course is taught entirely in Italian.
How to assess one's level
Italian language courses are offered in different levels corresponding to those described in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Assess your current level of proficiency using the grid below:
Entrance Test
Final admission to the course is subject to passing the test organized on the first day. The test is intended to ascertain possession of the required level and is mandatory. If the level of knowledge of the Italian language is not sufficient, the lecturer will recommend an alternative course.
- Grammar prerequisites: definite and indefinite articles, plural nouns, irregular nouns, regular and irregular verbs in the present tense, reflexive verbs, regular and irregular imperative, adjective concordance, possessive adjectives, demonstrative adjectives and pronouns, interrogatives, use of the verb "piacere", partitive articles, use of simple and articulated prepositions, prepositional locutions, particle ci, regular past tense, adverbs of frequency, indefinite adjectives.
- Vocabulary prerequisites: numbers, days of the week, months, seasons, hours, house and restaurant vocabulary.
Course details
- When: Tuesday, February 23 to Tuesday, June 1 (2027)
- Schedule: Every Tuesday, 1 academic synchronous hour from 08:00 to 08:45 + 1 academic asynchronous hour
- Mode: online on Microsoft Teams. All online courses require high-speed internet service, a PC with a fast processor, a webcam and a microphone
- Lecturer: Susanne Stigen Pescia
- Level: A2 part 1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
Learning outcomes
Communicate in simple, everyday tasks that require only simple and direct exchanges of information on familiar topics.
Course workload
The course is spread over 14 weeks. Each week includes 1 synchronous academic hour, 1 asynchrnous academic hour and at least 2 self-study hours.
Course content
A variety of grammar topics will be explored including the use of stare + gerund, stare per + infinitive, relative pronouns, impersonal way of speaking, the irregular past, direct and indirect pronouns, agreement of the past participle with direct pronouns, introduction to the past progressive.
Final test
At the end of each semester, normally during week 12, 13 and 14, a two-hour written final test is organized which consists of a listening comprehension, a brief essay, a reading comprehension and several grammar exercises. An oral exam follows the week after. Passing the two exams implies the acquisition of the topics studied and the progress, in the following semester, to the next module, the second part of the elementary course, i.e. level A2 part 2.
Study material
The study material is available on iCorsi. The enrolment key will be handed out during the first class.
Certificate of attendance
Regular and active attendance is mandatory once admitted. Students who meet the 75% attendance requirement and pass the final exam will receive a certificate of attendance.
ECTS
The course is optional, no ECTS are assigned.
Enrolment
Online registration automatically enrolls participants. However, a detailed informative e-mail confirming enrollment will be sent from the language centre staff a few days before the start of each course.
Please note that as a general rule, courses will be offered only when they meet the minimum enrollment thresholds.
Updated on: 21 April 2026
