Language Programme for the International Organizations / Programme de langues pour les Organisations internationales
Regular Courses
The Regular Languages Courses are offered from September to May. Classes are organised according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) running from A1 (level 1) to C1 (level 5) and offer students an adequate preparation to the official exams in the concerning languages (IELTS for English, DALF for French and DELE for Spanish).
This course covers all the four skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking) and allows participants to develop and consolidate the language structures and useful vocabulary to express themselves in situations and areas that are useful for them professionally and socially.
The activities and selected material will help them to work on all the skills and focus on productive skills (writing and speaking) to give participants the means to express themselves confidently in situations encountered in the target language.
All participants to the Regular Courses must complete a mid-term test as well as an end of year exam; both of these assessments are mandatory. Participants who do not complete the end of year test will not be eligible to progress to the next class level.
Conversation Courses
The conversation Courses, offered from September to May, are running from a completed B2 (level 4) to post-proficiency (C1 and above) according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
This course allows participants with a high degree of fluency and accuracy in spoken language to apply their existing competency and build self-confidence in the domain of professionally oriented public speaking, with particular reference to communication skills, language style, delivery techniques and use of relevant aids.
The emphasis is on skills rather than language, although language errors will be corrected and relevant vocabulary taught. There will be a balance between input and practice, and video filming will be used to help participants evaluate and improve their performance.
On completion of this course, students will be able to:
• express themselves fluently and appropriately, adopting a level of formality appropriate to the circumstances and their relationship to the person they are talking to
• keep up with animated discussions on abstract and complex topics with a number of speakers and participate effectively even when people start talking appropriately.
• understand and exchange complex, detailed information on topics with which they are not personally familiar, pinpointing key areas where further explanation or clarification is needed
• can give clear, well-structured descriptions of complex subjects
Drafting Courses
The Writing courses, offered from September to May, are running from a completed B2 (level 4) to post-proficiency (C1 and above) according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
This course allows participants to improve and practice writing skills in the workplace; these might cover extended texts, articles, reports and letters (work-related transactional documents).
The course includes sequencing and presentation of information and ideas, paragraphing, punctuation, headings, linking devices, the conventions of standard correspondence as well as techniques for summarizing.
On completion of this course, students will be able to:
• write clear, well-structured texts on complex topics in an appropriate style with good grammatical control
• write clear, detailed, well-developed short stories and descriptions of personal experiences
• present points of view in a paper, developing an argument, highlighting the most important points, and supporting their reasoning with examples
• express themselves clearly and appropriately in personal correspondence, describing experiences, feelings and reactions in depth
Survival Course
The Survival Course in French is offered from September to May to participants who have recently arrived in Geneva and want to gain confidence and communicate in every day situations by getting basic communication tools.
Topics include social French, money matters, shopping, food & drink, in the city, at home and exploring Geneva, as well as an open session to deal with participants’ specific needs to help participants to adapt in the French environment.
The activities and selected material will help them to focus on oral skills (listening and speaking) to give participants the means to express themselves confidently in situations encountered in the target language.
On completion of this module, participants will be able to:
– Use public transport, make enquiries and buy tickets;
– Describe accommodation, talk about furniture;
– Ask for and follow directions, take the bus, and go sightseeing;
– Deal with individual needs and requests of a specific nature.
All participants to the Survival Courses must complete a mid-term test as well as an end of year exam; both of these assessments are mandatory. Participants who do not complete the end of year test will not be eligible to progress to the next class level.