Language courses for external users - FAQ

On a fee-paying basis, for external users it is possible to attend:

• Some general language courses at level B1, B2 and C1;
• Preparation courses for the official Goethe C1, DELF DALF B2 and IELTS B2-C1 certifications;offered as part of the theology faculty's study programme
• Courses in ancient languages offered by the Faculty of Theology in Lugano as part of its curricula, see web page.

The cost of each course is listed on the official website of the Laboratory of Modern Languages. Please refer to the following link: Language courses for external users. If in doubt or for further information, please contact the Laboratory of Modern Languages by writing to [email protected] and/or calling (+41) 58 666 42 94.

What iCorsi is?

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.

How can I enter iCorsi?

If you register for a language course open to external users, you will be provided with credentials to access the iCorsi platform and use the course material.

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, use the Self-assessment Grid of the European Language Portfolio.

Various tests are available online to determine your language level:

• French language: French language Test
• German language: German language Test
• English language. English language Test

The lecturer may request the result during the first lesson or ask you to take an Entrance Test at the beginning of the course.

USI Administration reserves the right to cancel your enrolment if your language skills differ from those listed in the course description.

How do I register?

Online enrolment for the Certification preparation courses 

Online enrolment for the general language courses 

The invoice will be sent by post or email to the addresses provided during registration (only after confirmation of the course level, following successful completion of the entrance test). The invoice must be paid within twenty days of the date of issue. The total amount must be paid by bank or postal transfer. 

For the course planning, accurate data on the number of participants is very important. In case of unexpected withdrawal, it is mandatory to promptly inform the Laboratory of Modern Languages administration by writing to [email protected] before the start of the course. Once the invoice has been issued and sent, it will no longer be possible to withdraw from the course.

What happens if too few registrations are received for a 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.

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, such as unforeseen sick leave by the teacher.

Is there an attendance policy?

Yes, class registers are checked on a daily basis, and any absences are noted by the lecturer. 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 lecturers 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 for Italian langiage courses, French language courses and German language courses and at least 80% for English language courses.

Participation

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 exam and for the issue of a certificate.

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 teacher.

Illness

In case of illness, a medical certificate must be submitted to [email protected] in order to be excused for the missing lesson.

What should I bring to class?

Always bring your laptop or tablet.

How are the classes conducted?

1. Intensive pre-semester courses: 60 hrs of mandatory in-person lectures and 30 hrs self-study in iCorsi.
2. Semester-time courses: 28 hrs of mandatory in-person lectures + 28 hrs mandatory self-study in iCorsi + 28 hrs independent study.

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, your name will be removed from the attendance list without notice to make space for those on the waiting list.

Late arrival 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 for Italian, French and German language courses and at least 80% of the course for English language courses.

It’s not possible to join the course after the programme starts either.

Classroom disruptions

The Laboratory of Modern Languages reserves the right to exclude participants who disturb the class.

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 classroom activities
  • At least 30 hours of asynchronous self-study
  • All tasks must be completed day by day

​

• Semester-time courses
  • 28 hours of classroom activities
  • At least 28 hours of asynchronous self-study
  • Plus 28 hours of independent learning
  • All tasks must be completed week by week

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.

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 for French courses and German courses, 80% attandance of the course for English courses;
• Completion and passing of all quizzes, exercises, presentations and tasks assigned during the self-study hours.

Is registration for the final test needed for C1.1 and C1.2 level courses?

No, when you sign up for a language class C1.1 or C1.2 level, you are automatically signed up for the end-of-semester exam for that semester.

Is there an examination at the end of the course in preparation for a certification also?

No, there is no examination at the end of courses in preparation for certification because these courses are aimed at obtaining an official certification examination that must be taken externally.

Success in 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 obtain the Course completion certificate.

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.

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 take all the abilities of the written final test?

Yes, it is imperative to take all the parts of the written final test and the oral test to get the Certificate of attendance.

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.

Do I get a certificate of attendance at the end of the C1.1 or C1.2 level course?

Yes. You are entitled to sit the end-of-course test if you attend at least 75% of a French or German course or the 80% of an English course. If you 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 at usi involve a binary pass/fail system.

Is it possible to receive a certificate of attendance at the end of a language certification preparation course?

No, courses in preparation for language certifications do not allow you to obtain a certificate of attendance: in fact, they do not provide for an end-of-course exam because they are aimed at obtaining an official certification exam that must be taken externally.

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 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.

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.