Practical Geneva
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Education & Family Life:
Language courses
Knowledge of French is important for a successful installation in Geneva. Whether at school, at the doctor’s office, at the post office or for leisure, everywhere you need to communicate with other people.
Languages and cultures of origin (LCO)
Pupils whose mother tongue is different from the language of instruction can take classes in the language of their country of origin:
- they are organised by the communities (embassy, consulate or association),
- they are not compulsory and take place outside school hours (with the exception of Italian classes from 3P to 5P).
- General courses for writing and speaking, and to improve spelling and writing skills for professional use, thanks to ifage.
- Take a basic course (reading, writing, arithmetic, using a computer) at low-cost proposed by the Office pour l’orientation, la formation professionnelle et continue of the Département de l’instruction publique.
- French and literacy courses proposed by non-profit organizations in partnership with the Bureau de l’intégration des étrangers (BIE) of the canton of Geneva.
- French courses for non-French-speaking parents of a child enrolled in public school (compulsory education) in Geneva, proposed by the Office pour l’orientation, la formation professionnelle et continue of the Département de l’instruction publique.
Find a course near you using the interactive map of the canton of Geneva!
Training programme in all six official UN languages aimed at staff of UN agencies, their spouses and members of permanent missions, the Centre for Learning and Multilingualism (CLM) is an important promoter and safeguard of multilingualism for the UN Geneva community.
CLM is also responsible for organizing recruitment-related local and international tests and examinations.
The School of French Language and Civilization (ELCF) of the University of Geneva allows you to strengthen your skills in French BEFORE and DURING your studies in one of the Faculties/Schools/Institutes at the University of Geneva. The ELCF ensures:
- the French exam which allows the admission of non-French-speaking students of foreign origin to the University,
- an intensive year (Propaedeutic year) of language upgrading for students who do not quite meet the requirements of the admission exam,
- linguistic support for non-French-speaking students from the various Faculties, Institutes or Schools of the University who experience difficulties in understanding or expressing themselves, orally and in writing, or who wish to broaden their cultural horizon and/ or linguistics.
The Faculty of Letters of the University of Geneva also offers French courses during the summer .
Pupils whose mother tongue is different from the language of instruction can take classes in the language of their country of origin:
- they are organised by the communities (embassy, consulate or association),
- they are not compulsory and take place outside school hours (with the exception of Italian classes from 3P to 5P).
CAGI’s Conversation Echange Programme is open to everyone, internationals and local residents to benefit from Geneva’s cultural diversity and improve your language skills in exchange for your own (except for children).
Based on the principle of exchange, this free program is a complement and not an alternative to language courses provided by schools.
CAGI members
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Founded by the Swiss Confederation and the Republic and Canton of Geneva, the International Geneva Welcome Centre is the single entry point for the support and integration of employees of International Geneva and their families, NGOs and visiting delegates.