Diploma in French as a foreign language and career opportunities
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School of French as a Foreign Language
The School of French as a Foreign Language is affiliated to the Faculty of Arts. It is dedicated to the teaching of French as a foreign and secondary language. It offers a number of solutions for people who wish to improve their knowledge of the French language:
- Satellite courses at various levels, which emphasise various aspects of the French language (written, oral, literary, technical, etc.). At least 2 hours/week during semesters.
- Bridging course in French in order to begin studies in one of UNIL's Faculties (one or two years, 60 ECTS/year, enrolment at the EFLE is required).
It also offers comprehensive degree courses allowing the student either:
- to integrate a discipline of French as a Foreign Language in a Bachelor of Arts degree in order to develop a broad and systematic expertise in French, with in-depth reflection on the language and how it is taught, or;
- to specialise solely in French as a Foreign Language while preparing for the Diploma in French as a Foreign Language.
Diploma in French as a foreign language
The Diploma in French as a foreign language is intended for people whose culture and/or language of reference is not French (secondary school leaving certificate obtained in a non-French-speaking country or territory). It offers extensive training in French as a foreign language (FLE) in its linguistic and cultural dimensions and provides theoretical knowledge in literature, linguistics and didactics;It provides the theoretical knowledge in literature, linguistics and didactics that is necessary for a good command of this field (francophone literature, linguistics and sociolinguistics of French, didactics of literature and language, etc.).).
Students who do not have the language skills required for entry to the Diploma programme are required to complete a preparatory year (level A2), possibly preceded by an elementary year (level A1).
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Organizer |
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Address |
École de français langue étrangère Université de Lausanne |
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Contact |
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Degree awarded |
Diploma in French as a foreign language |
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ECTS Credits |
120 |
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Duration |
4 semesters |
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Language of instruction |
French |
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Registration deadline |
30 April. If you need to obtain a visa to study in Switzerland, you must submit your application by 28 February. |
Course Structure
Course Structure
How did you choose your studies?
EFLE is the most intercultural department at UNIL. This is a great asset that has given me a broader vision of the world and encouraged me to take into account cultural processes that are completely different from my own immigration background.
In my home country, Colombia, I started studying literature, then I enrolled at the drama faculty. In both cases, I stopped my studies. In the meantime, I started to learn French. I then went to Argentina to do a year of drama at a school in Buenos Aires. My interest has always swung between these two disciplines - theatre and French. When I arrived at UNIL, after passing the preliminary exams, I was able to enrol for the Diplôme de français langue étrangère. My second study option quickly became my first choice.
The EFLE is the most intercultural section at UNIL: it welcomes around a hundred nationalities at the same time. This is a great asset that has given me a broader vision of the world and encouraged me to take into account cultural processes that are completely different from my own immigration experience. The EFLE has a reassuring side, because it allows you to enter slowly into a new cultural context and to understand it, whether at the Lausanne, Swiss or even European level. The atmosphere at the school is great! There's a very good relationship between teachers and students that I've rarely found elsewhere.
The Diplôme de français langue étrangère provides an opportunity to delve into the history of the language and linguistics, literature and didactic studies. It is an opportunity to take a critical look at the methods used to teach French. In courses on Francophone culture, we look at regional variations in Europe, but also in Africa and Quebec. I now have a completely different image of what I thought 'French' was. I've also discovered a great love for French literature, because I've started to read in greater depth. This led me to continue my studies with a Bachelor ès Lettres in French and History. In the future, I'd like either to become a French teacher or to do research in FLE, in order to contribute something to this vast field.
I'd advise you to take advantage of this training, because you won't find a place where the teaching staff are so well prepared and informed about FLE didactics and pedagogy. You have to bear in mind, though, that the Diplôme en FLE is an atypical course, both stimulating and demanding: it's not a little French course you do after work. The EFLE gives foreigners arriving in Switzerland the opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture and language and to analyse them. It has also made a big contribution to my life outside university, by raising my profile among native French speakers and enriching my relationships with the people I've met.
Le FIL - Intensive French course
Organised twice a year in July-August and January-February, these French courses last 4 weeks and are aimed at non-French speakers at different levels: complete beginner (Pre-A1), beginner (A1-A2), intermediate (A2-B1 and B1-B2) and advanced (B2-C1). The only prerequisite is that you must be at least 17 years old on the first day of the course.
The FIL offers full-day intensive French as a foreign language courses (which earn ECTS credits); half-day semi-intensive language courses; an introduction to university writing course (from level B1-B2); certification of the level of French by the Certificat de qualification en français (CQF) of the UNIL. The CQF B1-B2 level exempts students wishing to study at UNIL from the French language exam required for matriculation.
Pre-semester intensive French course for beginners and beginner-intermediates in French
An intensive block course is offered before the start of the university year by the FIL at EFLE. It is aimed at A0 to A2 level students enrolled at UNIL who wish to improve their French before starting their studies. This course, taught by EFLE teachers specialising in beginner-intermediate levels, takes place from Monday to Friday every morning for 3 weeks. It enables students to quickly feel at ease in their French-speaking environment and to master numerous oral and written language activities that will be useful for their future learning in French. Enrolment is online 2 months before the start of the course.
These intensive French courses are particularly recommended for non-French-speaking students who wish to study at UNIL.