Language instruction

Before University courses start, the ACP organises intensive language instruction (in French and German) for incoming students. This course, which caters to different levels, has proved a very useful instrument in taking the first steps towards integration in Fribourg and comes highly recommended by all previous participants. During the semester it is possible to take several hours a week of French or German language instruction (3 different levels) at the Language Centre - Sprachenzentrum - Centre de langues.

Foreign Languages:

- Courses: The Language Centre - Sprachenzentrum - Centre de langues has special courses for foreign students. Address: Rue du Criblet 13, 1700 Fribourg. See the program of classes for other foreign languages, such as Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, etc.

- The Language Laboratory houses tapes in 30 different languages to improve your knowledge of foreign languages. Université Miséricorde, room 3015 (opposite the Mensa), tel: 300-7960.

-  In addition, the University of Fribourg offers the Uni-Tandem which consitutes a stimulating way of improving language skills while simulatenously offering an opportunity to make new friends: two people of different mother tongues meet regularly to practice each other's language (e.g. German, French, Italian, English, Spanish, and other languages if partners are available). Please sign up at the beginning of the semester.

Specifics on the tandem plan

Would you like

To be able to read foreign language materials?
To be able to converse with students who are native speakers of languages in which you have courses, to discuss subject-related problems or prepare for exams?
As a foreign language student, to be able to improve your comprehension - gaining both learning and teaching experience?
To make contacts at the University and in and around the city?
To be better prepared for your next vacation?

Can you imagine yourself
Learning a foreign language outside of a language course?
Working with a native speaker partner in the language in which you wish to improve?
Having a greater control over what you learn?

If you've answered yes to one or more of the above questions and you can already speak a little of your goal language, then you should participate in Uni-Tandem.

Participation

The tandem program is open to all persons affiliated with the university. Students, auditors, assistants, and professors are all eligible to participate. A single prerequisite to application is this: that the participants possess a basic knowledge of the goal language, be it German, French, English, etc.

The most sought-after languages

In recent years, approximately fifteen different languages, above all German, French, English, Italian, and Spanish and including but not limited to Russian, Arabic, and Portuguese, have been requested.

Participants

The majority of the participants come from the Faculty of Letters while law students, economists, sociologists , theologians, etc. represent a slightly smaller number.

How Tandem Works

Two partners with different native languages meet on a regular basis, helping to bring each other to a state of mutual improvement in their respective second languages. A contract between the two students assert that:

there will be regular meetings;
each partner is alternatively teacher and student;
both languages will be practiced separately;
an equal amount of time will be devoted to each language.

The Language Centre will help you find a partner and get you started. Faculty members are available between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. Tuesdays to provide tips, answer questions, give advice regarding study, etc.
Although sponsored by the Language Centre, native English-speaking students have the opportunity to learn many additional languages (e.g. French, Italian, etc.) The application is simple, and students have a lot of leeway when choosing a partner (e.g. male or female, similar interests, major fields, etc.) Go early in the semester to assure that a partner will be found. The program is cost free.

Stop by Language Centre for an application. Tandem is one of the best ways to meet Swiss and foreign students.