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Italian language courses - FAQ
Frequently asked question about the Italian language courses offered by USI.
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Eligibility - Italian language courses
Am I eligible to take Italian language courses at USI Università della Svizzera italiana?
The optional Italian language courses offered free of charge every semester are open to fully matriculated USI students and USI members only. The personal data of every single online enrolment is verified in Università della Svizzera italiana’s database.
I am about to graduate, can I attend language courses for free?
No, if you are about to graduate and will not pay the tuition fee for the semester in which the course you would like to take is held, you are not entitled to enrol as an USI member. You may however enroll on a fee-paying basis as USI Alumnus/Alumna. For information please visit the website or write to Laboratory of Modern Languages.
I dropped out of university, can I continue attending language courses?
No, once you have dropped out you cannot take any language courses. You must promptly notify the Laboratory of Modern Languages and leave the course with immediate effect, otherwise, the course will be invoiced to your address with an additional charge for administrative costs.
I am an USI Alumnus/Alumna. Can I attend the courses?
Yes, USI Alumni/Alumnae may attend on a fee-paying basis provided that places are available. For information please visit the website or write to Laboratory of Modern Languages.
Are family members admitted?
As class size is an important factor in language learning it isn’t possible to admit family members, friends or students studying in other higher Institutions.
Are USI's language courses open to auditors?
No, language courses are not open to auditors.
I am a SUPSI student / SUPSI professional. May I attend USI’s Italian language courses on a fee-paying basis?
- If you are a SUPSI Swiss-European Mobility Programme student (SEMP): USI's Italian language courses are normally offered by SUPSI. Please contact SUPSI's International Relations Office for information;
- If you are a SUPSI DTI member: USI's Italian language courses are normally offered by the DTI Department. Please contact SUPSI's DTI secretariat for information;
- If you are a SUPSI DACD student: USI's Italian language courses are not offered by the Department. You may attend on a fee-paying basis. The invoice will be sent to you by email and must be paid within 30 days. Contact [email protected] for information;
- Other SUPSI Departments: contact your Department Director and/or your Departmental Secretary for information.
I am a student/professional of another Swiss University. May I attend USI's language courses?
Students/staff of other Swiss Universities may attend on a fee-paying basis provided that places are available. For information please visit the website or write to Laboratory of Modern Languages.
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Accomodation
Am I guaranteed accommodation?
No, USI cannot guarantee housing. It’s your own responsibility to find an accommodation. We advise to start searching for a room several months before arriving.
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Course fees and USI credentials - Italian language courses
I am enrolled at Università della Svizzera italiana. How much does a language course cost?
The cost of the pre-semester intensive language courses and the semester-time language courses is included in the Università della Svizzera italiana’s tuition fees. The semester fee has to be paid before the start of the intensive language course. The courses are free for USI members only.
What happens if I don’t pay the tuition fee before the start of the Italian language course?
You will not be able to take the free of charge language course if you don’t pay the semester fee in advance since you need the university credentials to access the material.
When do I receive the account of the university?
You will receive the USI account a few days before the start of the free of charge language course if you have payed the semester university fee.
I'm not registered with USI nor any other Swiss University. May I take language courses free of charge?
No. External users may enrol in fee-based courses only, see Courses for external users.
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iCorsi and SWITCH edu-ID
What is iCorsi?
iCorsi is USI’s eLearning platform. iCorsi allows lecturers and students to manage, share and access teaching materials, to carry out anti-plagiarism checks using the Turnitin software, to manage communication between lecturers and students, and to create and conduct online examinations.
What is a SWITCH edu-ID and why do I need it?
The edu-ID digital identity is managed for the entire Swiss academic community by SWITCH, the foundation that provides IT services to all the Swiss universities. As the general objective of Università della Svizzera italiana is to achieve environmental responsibility, the course material is available in digital versions in iCorsi. The edu-ID digital identity allows access to the iCorsi e-learning platform. Create a personal SWITCH edu-ID account using your USI account and link it to the Università della Svizzera italiana before the start of the course.
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Language level and entrance test - Italian language courses
How can I determine what my language level is?
You should register for a course only if your language skills match the level of the course concerned. Please read the entry requirements listed in the course descriptions carefully before enrolling. To determine your language proficiency, you are also advised to use the Self-assessment Grid of the European Language Portfolio.
The Laboratory of Modern Languages Administration reserves the right to cancel your enrolment if your language skills differ from those listed in the course description, if the corresponding level is fully booked or not offered.
Is the entrance test mandatory at higher levels?
Yes, it is mandatory. As all higher level classes, from level A1.2 until C1, require knowledge of material covered in lower levels, a definitive decision about admission can be taken only after the in-person entrance test organized the first day of the course. This is a one hour test, and includes grammar exercises and, for some levels, a short listening comprehension, a writing task, a reading comprehension and an oral test.
If you do not pass the entrance test, the teacher will direct you to another level, if offered; attendance is however possible only in case of free places.
Should I study for the entrance test?
Yes, we strongly encourage you to review all the grammar topics listed in the prerequisites for each level even though you passed the final exam of the previous level.
When am I exempted from assessment testing?
All students who passed the exam in the lower-level 60-hour intensive course held before the start of each semester are exempt from the assessment test for the higher-level semester-long course. All other students have to take the assessment test even after successful completion of the final exam of the previous semester-time course.
Can I change classes if the level I originally chose is not the right level for me?
Yes, but you must first discuss it with the language lecturer, preferably within the first few weeks of lessons. Afterwards, you need to send an email to the Modern Languages Laboratory, copying the instructor. The level change will be confirmed only if there are classes and places available.
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Course registration
Is course registration mandatory?
Yes, for the good organization of the course, registration is mandatory for all Italian, French and German courses at the following link: https://www.desk.usi.ch/it/corsi-di-lingua-e-certificazioni
It is particularly important to remember that the fact that the courses are free of charge should not encourage enrolling lightly: learning a language requires commitment, continuity, and active participation. For this reason, it is essential to register only if you truly intend to attend the course for the entire semester and to take the final assessment. Investing in your multilingualism means enriching your CV with a skill that continues to distinguish and enhance professional profiles.
Once enrolled, is attendance mandatory?
Yes, once registration has been completed, attendance at the course is to be considered mandatory. Regular attendance is essential to ensure the quality of the learning programme and the proper conduct of the teaching activities, which are based on progressive and participatory work. Moreover, consistent attendance helps to create an effective and collaborative learning environment.
How can I register for the language courses?
To register for the language courses, it is necessary to complete the online registration by filling out the electronic forms available on the website of the Laboratory of Modern Languages. Registrations cannot be submitted via e-mail or by sending messages to the language centre administration: only the correct submission of the online form makes the registration valid.
Before registering, please read the Self-assessment grid carefully.
Where do I register?
Registration is online at the following link https://www.desk.usi.ch/it/corsi-di-lingua-e-certificazioni
The registration form can also be found in the description of each course (click on the title of the course) or, at the bottom of the pages of each language offered. The steps are 3:
- Select the Campus (Lugano, Mendrisio or Bellinzona);
- Select the semester (Autumn or Spring);
- Select the course modality (intensive pre-semester or semester-time).
Enrolments are accepted on a first-come first-served basis. You may request to be placed on a waiting list if the class is full.
Can I transfer/move the registration from one level to the other?
Before enrolling in a language course, it is important to know your level of proficiency. For this reason, always consult the European Self-assessment grid before registering, in order to avoid choosing an inappropriate level.
Courses are often fully booked, and a change of level cannot always be guaranteed. If you have enrolled in the wrong level, please contact the Modern Languages Laboratory as soon as possible: we will do our best to find a solution. However, if no places are available, you will need to postpone your language studies until the following semester.
When is the enrolment deadline?
In order to guarantee all interested students a place on the course and to avoid unnecessary waiting lists, you should register only if you are seriously interested in attending at least 75% of the course. Online enrolment is, in general, possible up to two weeks before the start date of the course but a course may be full at an earlier time. We therefore advise you to register as soon as you are convinced that you want to attend the course.
With which account can I register online?
Always sign-up with your USI account. Register with your private email address only if you don't have an USI University account yet (since you are a new student).
Where can I find the description of each course?
You can access the course description by selecting the course title in the semester timetable.
The course schedule is not convenient for me, can I register for a higher level even though my language skills don’t match?
No, register for a course only if your language skills match the level of the course concerned. The USI Administration reserves the right to cancel your enrolment if your language skills differ from those listed in the course description.
I don’t know my schedule yet, can I register for more than one time slot?
No, for the good quality of the course just select one time slot for the interested level.
I am undecided between two intensive courses in two different languages, for instance French or German. Can I enrol in both courses and decide later which one to attend?
No, in order to ensure optimal course organisation, guarantee all interested students a place in a course and avoid unnecessary waiting lists, it is not possible to enrol on several courses offered at the same time.
If I attend the pre-semester intensive course and passed successfully the final exam, am I automatically enrolled in the next level offered during the semester?
No, enrolment is not automatic. In order to ensure optimal organisation of the course, enrolment in the next level is necessary for Italian, German and French courses.
When is the detailed confirmation of enrolment email sent?
The online registration enrols participants automatically only if places are still available. A detailed informative email confirming the enrolment will be sent a few days before the beginning of the chosen course. You will only be admitted to the course if you have received the confirmation email from the language centre indicating schedule and room number.
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Withdrawal or change of level - Italian language courses
What is the last day to withdraw?
For the course planning, accurate data on the number of participants is very important. In case of unexpected withdrawal, it is the responsibility of the candidate to inform the administration before the start of the course by writing to [email protected]. Withdrawals are no longer possible the week immediately preceding the start of the courses, both intensive and semester-time. Last minute withdrawals in respect of intensive courses should be avoided since many activities are organised together with class-hours.
When is the admission in the Italian language courses denied?
Withdrawals must be notified to [email protected] as soon as possible since other students may be waiting for a place to become free. All students who don’t attend the first class meeting in which the assessment test is organised, will automatically be dropped from the course and prevented from attending Italian language courses in the following semester, unless there are free places available.
Can I change to a different language course level after the semester has started?
A change of level is only possible after discussing it with both your language lecturer and the administration of the Laboratory of Modern Languages, and only at the end of the first week of class. This ensures that the course remains coherent and that all students are placed at the level best suited to their skills. It also helps manage class sizes effectively.What if the course level feels too easy for me?
If the course seems too easy, you should discuss this with your lecturer during the first week. The lecturer can evaluate your skills more closely and advise whether moving to a higher level would be beneficial. The goal is to ensure that you are sufficiently challenged and can continue developing your language skills effectively.What if the course level feels too difficult for me?
If you find the course too challenging, you are encouraged to speak with your lecturer immediately. Together, you can assess your current level and discuss possible solutions, such as additional support or a change of class, if appropriate. Open communication helps ensure that you can progress effectively and feel comfortable in your learning environment. -
Minimum-maximum number of participants / Course cancellation - Italian language courses
What happens if too few registrations are received for a particular course?
A minimum number of participants for each course is required to go ahead. If too few people have registered, the course will be cancelled.
What happens if too many registrations are received for a particular course?
The maximum number of participants per Italian language course is 25. Once this figure is reached, we start a waiting list. If a place on the course becomes available, the next person in line is contacted via email. Therefore it is particularly important that you register only if seriously interested and deregister from a module as soon as you realise you cannot attend it.
What happens if enrolled students don't come to class?
The Laboratory of Modern Languages reserves the right to cancel courses at short notice if enrolments numbers are too low. If the number of participants drops significantly, the LLM may merge parallel courses even thogh the schedule is different.
What happens if I don’t get a place?
If you don’t get a place on a course, you can try again in a later semester.
Can it happen, albeit rarely, that the course is cancelled at the last moment?
The Laboratory of Modern Languages reserves the right to cancel the course any time, should the number of participants be insufficient or should unforeseen serious circumstances arise.
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Course attendance - Italian language courses
Why is regular attendance necessary in language courses?
Language courses require consistent engagement to develop the four linguistic skills — listening comprehension, reading comprehension, speaking, and writing — in a balanced way. Regular attendance allows students to practise actively, receive immediate feedback, and participate in real communicative interactions, all of which are essential for effective and measurable language progress.
Is there an attendance policy?
Yes, class registers are checked on a daily basis, and any absences are noted by the lecturer in iCorsi. You are expected to be regular and punctual in class attendance and to fully participate in the course once admitted. In order to benefit fully from the course, 100% attendance is recommended. You are responsible for completing homework and autonomous activities outside class hours every day/week. You are responsible for communicating attendance issues with your lecturer via email with as much notice as possible and to catch up independently.
The minimum attendance requirement is at least 75% of the number of classes held in the academic session. The lecturer will automatically suspend the course enrollment in iCorsi, without prior notice, as soon as absences exceed 25%.
What to do in case of unexpected absences?
The language course allows for a maximum of 25% total absences, which includes all types of absence—such as illness, academic commitments (conferences, seminars), weddings, bereavement, or other personal reasons. In all cases, you are required to inform your lecturer of your absence. Beyond the 25% limit, no additional absences can be justified, except in the case of prolonged illness (see point below).
What to do in case of prolonged illness? How can I manage absences for health reasons?
As a rule, you are not required to submit a medical certificate, since up to 25% of the course hours (equivalent to 6 academic hours per semester) may be missed without justification. In the case of prolonged illness, however, this limit may be extended up to a maximum of 29% of the total course hours (an additional 2 academic hours, for a total of 8 academic hours per semester), provided that you submit a medical certificate covering the entire period (one month of classes). Beyond this threshold, no further absences can be recognised: with an attendance rate below 71%, it is not possible to take the end-of-semester test, even with a medical certificate, as such limited participation does not allow for the proper consolidation and development of the language skills needed to meet the course objectives.
Health permitting, all assignments set by the lecturer and all asynchronous self-study activities must still be completed and submitted punctually during the semester.
It is also important to maintain regular contact with the lecturer through the course’s iCorsi forum. Please keep the Laboratory of Modern Languages Administration informed of your intentions. If prolonged illness prevents you from following the course adequately, it is advisable to postpone your language studies to the following semester. The certificates must be sent both to the course lecturer and to the LLM administration ([email protected]).Do I have to actively participate in the course?
Active and constructive participation is the basic prerequisite for your individual learning success and for the success of our courses for all participants. This includes independent preparation and follow-up of the course meetings as well as regular and punctual attendance.
Regular active participation is a prerequisite for admission to the final test and for the issue of the certificate of attendance.
What should I do if I can't attend class?
If you're unable to attend one of the classes due to an unexpected event, such as illness, always email your lecturer.
What should I bring to class?
Always bring your University ID badge and your laptop.
How are the classes conducted?
- Intensive pre-semester courses: 60 hrs of mandatory in-person lectures and 30 hrs self-study in iCorsi.
- Semester-time courses: 28 hrs of mandatory in-person lectures + 28 hrs mandatory self-study in iCorsi + 28 hrs independent study.
Which is the language of instruction?
At beginner level, English is used to teach Italian and Italian is used to teach French and German. At higher language levels, from level A2, the language of instruction is the same as the target language.
What happens if I miss the first class?
Signing up for a course requires commitment for the full course. If you fail to attend the first class of the course and do not email your reason for not attending at least two weeks before the course starts, your name will be removed from the attendance list without notice to make space for those on the waiting list. You will be prevented of attending language courses the following semester.
What happens if I arrive late due to unexpected problems?
Since the entrance test is compulsory, students have to ensure early arrival in order to take the course starting from the first week. Exceptionally a new examination date may be scheduled for those students who experience delays in their arrival plans due to unexpected problems. Late arrivals must be notified as soon as possible. The latest possible access in the classes is however the 1st of October in Autumn Semesters and 1st of March in Spring Semesters.
What is the minimum attendance? What happens if I miss a class/how many lessons can I miss?
Attendance is mandatory and the minimum attendance required to sit the end-of-course test is 75% of the course. You are automatically excluded from the course if you miss more than 2 consecutives semester-time classes or 2 consecutive intensive course days. To attend at least 75% of the course students can miss a maximum of 3 lessons in a semester-time course.
Is it possible to attend half the course, for instance one week instead of two weeks intensive course, or once every second week semester-time course, or one hour instead of two hours?
For the good quality of the course, attending 50% of a course is not allowed.
Enrol online only if you can attend at least 75% of the course.
It’s not possible to join the course after the programme start either.
Is it possible to attend two different grammar levels in the same semester, for instance A2.1 and A2.2?
No, for the good quality of the courses attending two different grammar levels in the same semester is not allowed. Only apply to the appropriate level.
Is it possible to attend a practical course and a conversation course in the same semester?
Yes, you are allowed to attend a practical course and the corresponding level of a conversation course during the same semester to improve both abilities.
How many times can I attend the same course / level?
In the event of availability, the same level can be attended several times. For the good quality of the course, priority is however given to all students who have never attended the course before.
Classroom disruptions
The Laboratory of Modern Languages reserves the right to exclude participants who disturb the class.
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Elite SPORTS programme
What is the "Elite SPORTS programme"?
The "Elite SPORTS programme" offers to élite athletes the chance to get involved in one of USI’s academic programmes and organise their schedule in a flexible manner. The Programme Coordinator is Giorgio Piffaretti, USI's Sport Service manager.
I'm an Elite Sports programme student and I can not attend 75% of the classes, what should I do?
- Please inform the Laboratory of Modern Languages about your situation via e-mail;
- Please also inform the language lecturer at the beginning or at the end of the first lesson of the semester, which is in any case compulsory;
- If your enrolment in the Elite Sports programme is confirmed, you will be exempted from the requirement to attend 75% of the optional language course. However, you will be expected to make up for the missed classes through independent work — for example, by completing the compulsory modules on the e-learning platform and regularly submitting written assignments to your lecturer;
- The additional work will be assigned in such a way as to ensure that your overall workload is equivalent to that of all other regular students;
- The end-of-course test is compulsory in any case and must be passed in order to progress to the next level.
Further information at the following link: Elite Sports programme
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Format and self-study hours
What is the format of the courses?
Our blended courses combine in-person instruction with self-paced online learning in the iCorsi platform. This approach, also known as mixed learning, offers a flexible and effective way to learn, incorporating both in-person interaction and digital resources.
Are self-study assignments and independent learning hours mandatory in blended courses?
Yes, they are mandatory and integral to the course. The asynchronous hours are just as rigorous and important as on-campus sessions. You must complete all assigned quizzes, exercises, presentations, and tasks according to the course schedule — either daily or weekly, depending on the format — and before the end-of-semester tests.
Workload overview
Pre-semester intensive courses
- 60 hours of in-person classroom activities
- At least 30 hours of asynchronous self-study
- All tasks must be completed day by day and are compulsary
- Exit test
Semester-time courses
- 28 hours of in-person classroom activities
- At least 28 hours of asynchronous self-study
- Plus 28 hours of independent learning
- All tasks must be completed week by week and are compulsary
- Exit test
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Personal Electronic Device
Will I need to take my Personal Electronic Device (PED) to class every day/week?
Yes, all USI candidates must bring their own laptop or tablet to class in order to access the learning materials in iCorsi. As there are only a few power outlets in the classroom, remember to charge your computer before coming to class.
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End-of-semester tests
What are the conditions for admission to the end-of-semester tests?
Requirements for taking the written and the oral end-of-semester tests are:
- Regular active participation in class;
- 75% attendance of the course;
- Completion and passing of all quizzes, exercises, presentations and tasks assigned during the self-study hours.
Is registration for the final test needed from A1.1 until B1.2 level?
No, when you sign up for a language class from A1.1 until B1.2 level, you are automatically signed up for the end-of-semester exam for that semester.
Is registration for the final test needed from B2.2 level?
- For the B2.2 level final exam of the French and the German language courses, online registration is needed at the following link: esami.lu.usi.ch. Access to the platform is through your edu-ID.
- For the B2.2 level final exam of the Italian language course, you are automatically signed up for the end-of-semester exam for that semester.
Passing the exam
The examination tests the four skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. To pass the exam candidates need to achieve a minimum of 60% in grammar and a minimum average of 60% in the four skills tested.
Is the final exam mandatory?
The results of the final test are strictly informative (pass or fail) and give the chance to the teaching staff to recommend subsequent courses. You don’t have to take the final exam if you are feeling unprepared since you can take the assessment test for the next level in the following semester instead, but you won’t get the course completion certificate. Remember to inform the teacher if you don’t wish to sit the end-of-course test.
When do the two end-of-semester tests take place?
The final exam schedule is published in iCorsi. Normally the exams take place in week 12, 13 and 14 of the running semester. Overall, it is a 4-hour examination divided into two parts and covering the 4 language skills:
- 2 hrs written test: it includes a short listening comprehension, a reading comprehension, grammar exercises and a writing task;
- 2 hrs oral examination.
Level B2.2 exam on the other hand takes place during the exams sessions (January, June and September).
Is exam planning flexible?
No, always arrange to be in class the last three weeks of the semester because it is not possible to reschedule the final exams.
Do I have to complete all the abilities of the written final test?
Yes, it is imperative to complete all the parts of the written final test and the oral test to get the certificate of attendance and the ECTS points.
Is it imperative to take the final exam in person?
Yes, unless the course is online, it is imperative to be present at USI during the exam session.
Remember to bring your Personal Electronic Device (PED). As there are only a few power outlets in the classroom, remember to charge your computer before coming to class.
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ECTS credit points and certificate of attendance - Italian language courses
Am I awarded credit points for the Italian language courses?
Italian language courses usually do not count towards a degree at USI Università della Svizzera italiana.
Exceptions:
- Swiss-European Mobility Programme students (SEMP) and International Exchange students will be awarded 3 ECTS credit points after successful completion of the Italian language course (60 hrs course or 28+28 hrs course).
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences students of the Master in Cognitive psychology in health communication will receive 3 ECTS credit points after successful completion of the language course (60 hrs course or 28+28 hrs course). Any extra module will be awarded 3 ECTS as extra-credits.
At USI all examinations on official courses are graded on the 1 to 10 scale. For language courses the evaluation is however expressed by a binary system (pass or fail). For further information, please refer to Art. 32 “Evaluation system” of the USI Study Regulation.
For further information on ECTS credit points: ECTS USI Language courses
When are the ECTS credits for the Italian language courses recorded on the GESTU portal?
ECTS credits for language courses are sent to the student administrations of the students’ respective faculties for those who are eligible to receive them in the weeks following the end of the semester, and they are recorded by the end of the regular exam session (late January, late June, and late September).
What does "successful completion of the course" mean?
- A minimum attendance of 75% of the in-person course;
- Having completed all the quizzes and exercises proposed during the hours dedicated to independent study;
- Successfully passing of the final exam. The examination tests the four skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. To pass the exam candidates need to achieve a minimum of 60% in grammar and a minimum average of 60% in the four skills tested.
Do I get a certificate of attendance at the end of the course?
Yes, if you attend at least the 75% of the course and pass the final test you obtain a course completion certificate. The attendance certificate will state your name, the level of the course and the total number of hours of the chosen level but not the assessment scores, the grades or the percentage average achieved in the final exam since language courses do not count towards a degree at USI.
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In-person language learning
What does “in person learning” mean?
In person learning is the instructional interaction that occurs “in person” and in real time between teachers and students in the classroom of the Campus.
Why are the Italian language courses offered “in person”?
In person learning allows you to interact with other students and with your lecturers. The best way to learn a language is through a combination of face to face instruction and asynchronous learning activities using the e-learning iCorsi platform.
Does the University offer online Italian language courses?
USI offers online Italian language courses to IOR and IRB researchers and staff of Bellinzona Campus, only. Online courses require a high-speed Internet Service Provider, a PC with fast processor, a webcam and a microphone.
The online learning process is normally accelerated and requires commitment on the student’s part. Staying up with the class and completing all work on time is very important. Once a participant gets behind, it is almost impossible to catch up.
May I join the course online even though the course is advertised as “in-person learning”?
No, for the good quality of the course, blended language learning is not offered.
Are language courses recorded?
No, for didactic reasons the courses are not recorded.
May I exceptionally request a synchronous remote session via Microsoft Teams if I’m ill?
No, a synchronous remote session via Microsoft Teams could be requested in case of health problems and isolation during the pandemic, now not anymore.
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Tandem language learning
What does “Tandem language learning” or “Language exchange” mean?
“Tandem language learning” is a method of language learning based on mutual language exchange between tandem partners, where each learner is a native speaker in the language the other person wants to improve.
Add a post to find a language exchange partner
Add a post here www.desk.usi.ch/en/language-tandems
Updated on: 13 October 2025
